ecially. The Dutch sought the short cut for their
merchantmen because the voyage around the Cape of Good Hope was very
dangerous, being controlled by Spanish and Portuguese, who
unhesitatingly preyed upon the merchant vessels that tried to pass that
way. The result of the Dutch expeditions into the North was the
discovery of the possibilities of the whaling industry, which they may
be said to have originated, and which was a source of great profit to
them for a very long period. They established a number of settlements,
and explored much that had been unknown before.

Among the English expeditions, those of most importance to us in America
were Henry Hudson's. He made his first voyage in 1607, representing the
Muscovy Company of England. He explored the coast of Greenland on this
voyage, and again in 1608; while on his third voyage he explored the
coasts of North America and discovered the Hudson River. At this time he
was in the employ of the Dutch East India Company. Again, in 1610, his
efforts were crowned with success, and he discovered what is known as
Hudson Bay.

From that time voyage after voyage was made, largely by Englishmen, and
the knowledge of geography grew every year, each captain bringing back
some new items of information.

Meanwhile the Russians, who had acquired Siberia, sought a Northeast
Passage and explored the northern coast of their vast new territory,
which reaches into the Polar regions. Although many efforts were made to
pass through to China in this way, it was not accomplished until 1879,
when a Russian explorer reached Bering Strait and the Pacific from the
West.

Search for "the Indies" was carried on with wonderful perseverance and
nerve. It is very difficult for us in these days to imagine the
obstacles that these old sailors had to overcome, or the dangers their
tiny craft encountered. Their little boats would now be considered
absolutely impracticable for long and arduous trips; and that they
should have explored all they did, shows how sturdiness and courage have
caused the growth of the world's known territory.

As time went on, the idea of securing the passage to the fabled lands of
the riches gave place to search in the Arctic regions for the scientific
knowledge that could be obtained from such expeditious. "The Indies" and
their fabulous riches had become known countries which were readily
reached through other routes, and the saving in time by going to them by
way of the