"He had the right to do so," said Lucy, thoughtfully. "He couldn't help feeling how great he was." "You are quite right," answered Uncle Sam, as he patted the little girl's head. "Even the steps of a brave man must be different from those of a coward. The bravery gets into them without the man's thinking about it. "But dear me! It is getting late, and I am only half through my story. We have turned our backs on Columbus and left him alone with the Red Men quite as long as is polite. He enjoyed himself very much with them, however, and stayed several days on the island. "Then he took to his ships once more and sailed about among the different islands which he called the Indies. He thought that the right name for them, as he still believed he was near the mainland of India. "Each time they landed, his men kept asking the natives where gold could be found. Each time they were disappointed. But Columbus thought it must be near at hand. He never dreamed that he was still far from the land of spices and precious stones. "At the end of twelve weeks he said, 'We ought to go back to Spain and tell what we have discovered.' "He gathered stores of the strange fruits and grains and rich woods and packed them safely away in the ships. He also took some of the brightly-feathered birds. "He left a part of the sailors on one of the islands. They were to make a settlement. Then they would have a home ready for Columbus when he should come again with more of their people. "When he had chosen some of the Indians to go back with him, all was ready and he began to cross the great ocean once more." "He must have been almost bursting with pride and joy," cried Joe. "And the voyage home must have seemed long, because he had so much to tell." "It came to an end at last, although there were terrible storms and the ships came very near being wrecked," Uncle Sam went on. "At length, however, they reached Spain. "The news of their return spread quickly. As soon as Columbus landed crowds gathered to hear about his voyage and the whole country was filled with joy. "When Columbus went to court to tell his story to the king and queen they would not let him stand before them. 'He is too great a man,' they thought. 'He has gained the right to sit in our presence.'" "O, my!" said Joe, "I thought everybody had to stand before kings and queens." "Columbus wasn't a king, but he was certainly as great, only in another way. Ferdinand was quite right in thinking so. He and his good wife listened with delight to the story of the greatest voyage any man ever made. "They believed as Columbus did that a short way to India had been found. They eagerly examined the curious things brought to them from the west. They ate of the delicious fruits and admired the bright birds and beautiful woods. "They said: 'We will have a grand procession through the streets of our city. Columbus shall wear beautiful garments and shall ride in the midst.'