Page 347 - Third Book of Reading Lessons

346 'HIRD BOOK OF
with their colours displayed, warlike music, and oth­ er martial pomp; and, as they approached the coast, they saw it covered with a multitude of people, whom the novelty of the spectacle had drawn together, and whose attitude and gestures expressed wonder and astonishment at the strange objects which presented themselves to thefr view.
3. Columbus was the rst European "ho set ot in the New World which he bad discovered. He landed in a rich dress, and with a naked sword in his hand. His men llowed, and, kneeling down, they all kissed the ground which they had long de­ sired to see.
4. They next erected a cruci x, and, prostrating themselves be re it, returned thanks to God r con­ ducting their voyage to such a happy issue. They then took solemn possession of the country r the crown of Castile and Leon, with all the rma14ties with which the Portuguese were accustomed to take possession of their new discoveries.
5. The Spaniards, while thus employed, were sur­ rounded by many of the natives, who gazed; in silent admiration, upon actions which they could not com­ prehend, and of which they did not resee the con­ sequences. The dress of the Spaniards, the white­ ness of their skins, their beards, their arms, appeared strange and surprising.
6. The vast machines, in which they had traversed the ocean, that seemed to move upon the water with wings, and uttered a dreadful sound, resembling thunder, accompanied witnlightning and smoke, strnck them with such terror, that they began to re­ spect their new guestt as a superior order of beings,