Stories of American History (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Stories of American History

The sailors did not believe that land was near. Columbus knew better. The water was green; sea-weeds floated past; birds flew over the ship; a log of wood came toss ing by; the smell of fields was in the air; fishes were caught; a sparrow alighted in the shrouds; and once, a great tree, with roots and branches, was driven over the waters.

Columbus and the men watched for land till the sun went down. When it was dark he saw a light far away before the shi...