"To this end the plan has been to treat each topic as a unit, to be worked out to a clear understanding of its objects and results before passing to another topic. And in furtherance of this method, each subject has its own descriptive notes, maps, plans and pictorial illustration, so that all may contribute to a thorough knowledge of the matter in hand. The several topics readily fall into groups that have an apparent or underlying connection, which is clearly brought out." In this volume, I have followed up to its legitimate ending the work done by the three great rival powers of modern times in civilizing our continent. I have tried to make it the worthy, if modest, exponent of a great theme. The story grows to absorbing interest, as the great achievement of the age,—of the Anglo-Saxon overcoming the Latin race, as one great wave overwhelms another with resistless force. Under the title of "The Great West," the present volume deals mostly with the section lying beyond the Mississippi. Another is proposed, in which the central portion of the Union will be treated. The completed series, it is hoped, will present something like a national portrait of the American people. CONTENTS. GROUP I.—THREE RIVAL CIVILIZATIONS. I. The Spaniards. PAGE AN HISTORIC ERA 1 DE SOTO'S DISCOVERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI 10 DEATH AND BURIAL OF DE SOTO 18 THE INDIANS OF FLORIDA 20 HOW NEW MEXICO CAME TO BE EXPLORED 28 "THE MARVELLOUS COUNTRY" 39 FOLK LORE OF THE PUEBLOS 45 LAST DAYS OF CHARLES V. AND PHILIP II. 53 SWORD AND GOWN IN CALIFORNIA 55 II. The French. PRELUDE 67 WESTWARD BY THE GREAT INLAND WATERWAYS 71 THE SITUATION IN A.D. 1672 80 COUNT FRONTENAC 84 JOLIET AND MARQUETTE 85 THE MAN LA SALLE 93 LA SALLE, PRINCE OF EXPLORERS 99 DISCOVERY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI 105 THE LOST COLONY: ST. LOUIS OF TEXAS 109 IBERVILLE FOUNDS LOUISIANA 118 FRANCE WINS THE PRIZE 123 LOUIS XIV. 130 III. The English. THE BLEAK NORTH-WEST COAST 132 HUDSON'S BAY TO THE SOUTH SEA 136 THE RUSSIANS IN ALASKA 140 ENGLAND ON THE PACIFIC 143 QUEEN ELIZABETH 147 _Interlude._ WHAT JONATHAN CARVER AIMED TO DO IN 1766 149 JOHN LEDYARD'S IDEA 153 A YANKEE SHIP DISCOVERS THE COLUMBIA RIVER 156