CHAPTER III 



THE HOME OF THE INDIAN WEED 



The white man landed — need the rest be told ? 

 The new world stretch'd its dusk hand to the old. 

 Each was to each a marvel, and the tie 

 Of wonder warmed to better sympathy. 



The Island. 



Looking back towards the source whence the old world 

 derived the Indian weed and the habit of smoking it, the 

 career of Columbus presents itself crowded with marvellous 

 exploits and instances of indomitable courage that have 

 left their imprint on men's minds for all succeeding 

 generations. Though an old and oft-repeated story it has 

 an abiding interest for adventurous explorers whose 

 highest glory is to link themselves with the free and fear- 

 less Vikings. His imagination aglow with the wondrous 

 story Marco Polo had told of his voyages in the far east, 

 and possibly under the prompting of Toscanelli whose 

 map was his guide, Columbus conceived the bold idea of 

 reaching India by sailing west. Difficulties inevitable to 

 so daring a project were met and overcome with the 

 patience born of genius. At last he gained the ear of 

 Queen Isabel, and to her he poured out his heart's grief, 

 and made her acquainted with the dream of his life. 

 Pointing to his chart he pictured a new world teeming with 



