Hence it seems, at first glance, almost impossible that it should have been reached, in an age when ships were small and frail, when the mariner's compass was unknown and the sailor dared not trust himself out of sight of land. This led men to suppose that the inhabitants of America did not descend from Adam and Eve, but from a race previously created. Such a theory is plainly contrary to the Bible record, nor is it needed to account for the settlement of America.

8. Later discoveries have brought to light a fact unknown to geographers three hundred years ago, that America widens rapidly in the north, and there juts out into the ocean till it comes within thirty-six miles of Asia. As a current sets towards the American shore, the passage thither can be readily made even in rude vessels. Boats may have been driven over by stress of weather, and the continent thus have been discovered without design. But there was a still easier means of communication. In severe seasons, Behring's Strait is frozen over. Many varieties of animals have passed on the ice from one continent to the other; and the first occupants of America, led by curiosity, or driven by violence, may have reached the new world in the same manner.

9. At what time this event took place, we are not informed. History makes no mention of it. It is probable that it occurred at an early date, not many centuries after the dispersion at Babel and the consequent emigration from the plain of Shi'nar. Mankind soon spread out from the limited district to which they were at first confined, and took possession of the vacant lands around them, which, as their numbers increased, became necessary to their comfort. Thus they gradually found their way to Northeastern Asia; and at length adventure or accident made them acquainted with the existence of a new continent.

10. Behring's Strait or the northern part of the Pacific

nent? What were men first led to suppose? What book contradicts this opinion? 8. What fact have later discoveries brought to light? How near do the extremne points of America and Asia come? How may boats have been driven across? What easier means of access was there? What, besides man, appear to have crossed on the ice? 9. When did the migration to America take place? What led mankind to spread out from their original location? Where at last did they find themselves? 10. How do

could thus have been easily crossed; but some think that ancient navigators first reached the new world by way of the Atlantic. As early as the days of Solomon, the Phoenician seamen made voyages to O'-phir. At a later date, Hanno, the Carthaginian, is said to have sailed thirty days southwest from the Strait of Gibraltar. The early Egyptian navigators were particularly distinguished for their skill and daring; and we are told that during the reign of Pharaoh Necho [fa'-ro ne'-ko], about 600 B. C., a company of explorers started from the Isthmus

America may have been reached. Plato and several other ancient writers appear to have been aware that there was a large body of land in the west, and speak of an island in that direction more extensive than Europe and Africa.

11. Some historians have tried to trace the American Indians to the ten "lost tribes" of Israel, who were conquered by Shalmaneser [shal-ma-ne'-zer], king of Assyria, about 700 B. C. Many of the vanquished were carried into captivity, and uniting with their conquerors lost all separate existence as a nation. But there were some, who, we are told in Esdras, "took this counsel among themselves, that they

some think America was first reached? In Solomon's time, what voyages were made? At a later date, what is Hanno said to have done? What early navigators were particularly distinguished for their skill? What remarkable voyage of theirs is mentioned? Who appear to have known that a large body of land existed in the west? 11. To whom have some tried to trace the American Indians? What befell these ten tribes? What did some of them resolve to do? How far does History trace them? What is the only

would leave the multitude of the heathen, and go forth into a further country where never mankind dwelt". These unfortunate remnants of the ten tribes are thought by some to have carried out their design by crossing into America, and there to have become the progenitors of the Indian race.

History tells us that they advanced as far as Media. Beyond this, we know nothing of their travels; nor is there any evidence of their having finally settled in America except a fancied resemblance between the customs and religious ceremonies of the Indians and those of the ancient Israelites. Both had their priests and prophets, their washings and anointings, their fasts, feasts, and sacrifices. But neither these, nor other alleged points of resemblance, are sufficient to prove the theory.

12. It seems far more probable that the first settlers of America were from Egypt. Their taste and skill in building would indicate this, as well as the fact that in different caves in the West bodies have been found, preserved somewhat in the style of Egyptian mummies.

The history of these early immigrants seems to be as follows:-Soon after the Confusion of Languages, a large body of men, after a temporary residence in Central India, driving their flocks before them, moved to Egypt, and conquered its original settlers, the descendants of Miz'-ra-im. Under the name of Shepherd Kings, they there founded a noble empire, built large cities, and erected massive pyramids which still remain as monuments of their power. The Mizraimites, however, roused by their tyranny, finally rose against them,. and after a long contest drove them from the land. The defeated Shepherds, in quest of a new home, turned their course to the northeast, and left numerous traces of their passage through Central Asia and Siberia in the form of well-built walls and mounds. They are supposed at last to have crossed into America in the manner before described, to have erected

evidence of their having reached America? Mention these points of resemblance. Are they sufficient to prove the theory? 12. What seems far more probable? What evidence is there that the first settlers of America came from Egypt? Give the history of the Shepherd Kings. What are they finally supposed to have done? When was the

SUCCESSIVE EMIGRATIONS TO AMERICA.

15

the mounds and ancient works whose remains are still visible in the valley of the Mississippi, and ultimately to have made their way to Mexico, and built the city of that name early in the fourteenth century.

13. The Indians of America must have sprung from later bodies of Asiatic adventurers than the Mexicans. Behring's Strait, or the ocean near it, may often have been crossed during the lapse of ages; and, judging from the difference of character and language in the various tribes, it is highly probable that the passage was made a number of times at different eras. Curious aboriginal remains are still to be seen in various parts of our country, which show that the first settlers arrived there at a very early period, before they had forgotten the mechanical arts through the allurements of forest life. They were probably followed by less civilized bands, who drove them from their original seats. Thus successive immigrations may have taken place, each party of new-comers pushing its predecessors further east and south, and being themselves afterwards driven in these directions, until the whole continent was peopled.

14. The traditions current among the Indians throw but little light on their origin. They have a general belief that they are aborigines, or, in other words, that they sprung from the earth and are not connected with any other people. By one account they are represented as having climbed up the roots of a large vine from the interior of the globe. According to another, their ancestors, while living as they had done for ages under ground, accidentally espied the light of day through the opening of a cavern, and by dint of great efforts scaled the walls of their subterranean prison and came the surface.

out upon

Some of the Red Men, however, retain an indistinct tradition of having crossed a tract of water to reach their present habitations. The Ath-a-pas'-cas, who bear a striking resem

city of Mexico founded? 13. What reason is there for thinking that Behring's Strait was crossed a number of times? What are to be seen in various parts of our country? What do these show? By whom were the first immigrants followed? 14. What is the general belief of the Indians respecting their origin? How do different accounts represent them as having reached the surface of the earth? What tradition do some tribes

blance in dress and manners to the people of Eastern Asia, say that they once lived in a region far to the west. The Chepeweyans [tshep-e-wa'-anz], also, state that they originally came from another land, inhabited by very wicked people; that they were obliged to traverse a narrow lake, shallow and full of islands, on which they suffered greatly from cold and encountered immense masses of ice and snow. If this 66 narrow lake" was Behring's Strait or the northern extremity of the Pacific, the islands referred to may have been the Aleutian [a-leu'-she-an] group, in which inexperienced navigators would be very likely to become entangled.

CHAPTER II.

THE GREAT INDIAN FAMILIES.

15. THE various Indian tribes that occupied America on the first arrival of Europeans closely resembled each other in customs, complexion, and general appearance. There were minor points of difference, but these were hardly sufficient for grouping them into great families. This could not be done till their languages were compared; and it was then found that the numerous tribes east of the Mississippi and south of the St. Lawrence sprung from eight parent stocks. Little was then known respecting those west of the Missis sippi, nor have we yet sufficient acquaintance with them for a proper classification.

16. These eight great families are known by the following names: Algonquin [al-zhon'-kwin], Huron-Iroquois [hu'-ron e'-ro-kwah], Dah-ko'-tah or Sioux [soo], Ca-taw'-ba, Cher-okee', U'-chee, Nat'-chez, and Mo-bil'-i-an. The Map on page 10 shows their respective locations in the year 1650, before which the interior of the continent was but little known.

retain? What do the Athapascas believe? What, the Chepeweyans? What islands may be referred to in this story?

15. In what did all the Indians closely resemble each other? What was necessary before they could be grouped into families? How many great families were there found to be? What is said of the tribes west of the Mississippi? 16. Name the eight great