The explorers of various nations are represented in this book. There are Northmen, Italians, Englishmen, Frenchmen, Spaniards, and Dutchmen. Where the original narrative was in some foreign language, that translation has been chosen which gives most of the spirit of the original; and Mr. Cabot’s versions of the Norse legends were especially selected for this reason. It seemed proper to begin the book with these; and it is brought down to the time when the Virginia and Massachusetts colonies, with that of the New Netherlands, were fairly planted on the American shore. Possibly, at some future time, I may recommence with the Massachusetts colonies, and tell their story, down to the Revolution; either in a book of extracts, like this, or in my own words. T. W. H. NEWPORT, R.I., March 1, 1877. TABLE OF CONTENTS. I. THE LEGENDS OF THE NORTHMEN (985‒1008) 1. How the Northmen discovered North America 2. The Voyage of Leif the Lucky 3. Leif finds Vines, and goes back to Greenland 4. Thorvald, Leif’s Brother, goes to Vinland 5. Karlsefni’s Adventures II. COLUMBUS AND HIS COMPANIONS (1492‒1503) 1. The First Letter from Columbus 2. The Second Voyage of Columbus 3. Columbus reaches the Mainland 4. Columbus at the Mouth of the Orinoco 5. Columbus thinks himself near the Earthly Paradise 6. Daring Deed of Diego Mendez 7. How Diego Mendez got Food for Columbus 8. How Diego Mendez saved Columbus 9. Appeal of Columbus in his Old Age III. CABOT AND VERRAZZANO (1497‒1524) 1. First News of John and Sebastian Cabot 2. Sebastian Cabot’s Voyage 3. Verrazzano’s Letter to the King IV. THE STRANGE VOYAGE OF CABEZA DE VACA (1528‒1533) 1. The Strange Voyage 2. Cabeza de Vaca saved by Indians 3. Cabeza de Vaca’s Captivity 4. The Indians of the Gulf of Mexico 5. Cabeza de Vaca’s Escape V. THE FRENCH IN CANADA (1534‒1536) 1. Cartier’s Visit to Bay of Chaleur 2. Cartier sets up a Cross 3. Cartier ascends the St. Lawrence 4. How the Indians tried to frighten Cartier 5. How Cartier reached Hochelaga, now Montreal 6. The Festivities at Hochelaga VI. ADVENTURES OF DE SOTO (1538‒1542) 1. How De Soto set sail 2. De Soto attacks the Indians, and finds a Fellow Countryman 3. The Story of John Ortiz 4. De Soto discovers the Mississippi 5. De Soto’s Vain Attempts to reach the Sea 6. Death and Burial of De Soto VII. THE FRENCH IN FLORIDA (1562‒1565) 1. Jean Ribaut in Florida 2. Alone in the New World 3. Laudonnière’s Search for the Colonists 4. Capture of Fort Caroline by the Spaniards