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tribes of Indians, and through a vast wilderness, where there are no towns, no churches, no meeting-houses, and no white men, you would come at length to the sea. This sea is the Pacific ocean. It lies to the west of America, and if you point your finger to the west, you point toward it.

It is I suppose, not more than two or three thousand miles, from Boston or New York across the land, to the Pacific. But there are no roads across the country, and it is difficult and dangerous to travel there. I believe no persons have ever been from the United States, across the rivers and mountains to the Pacific ocean, but Lewis and Clark, and some men who went with them. These persons, once performed this perilous journey. They were absent near two years; and, for a long time, were considered dead by their countrymen. They, however, returned in safety; they met with many difficulties, and suffered great hardships. But they reached the Pacific ocean,

and spent one winter upon the shore, in log houses which they built there.

The usual method of going to the Pacific, is to sail in ships. These ships start from Boston, New York, or some other place, and sail far to the south. They go several thousand miles until they reach Cape Horn, which is the southern point of the American continent. They sail around this cape, and enter the Pacific ocean. Now please to answer the following questions.

How do vessels go to the Pacific ocean? Which way must a vessel sail, to go from Cape Horn to the Sandwich islands? Which way must a vessel sail to go from Cape Horn to New Zealand? Which way must a vessel sail to go from Cape Horn to New Holland ? Which way must a vessel sail to go from Cape Horn to Java? Which way is Java from where you live? If you were at the Sandwich islands, which way would you be from home?

I hope my little friends will get some person to hear them answer these questions, so as to be sure that they answer them correctly. They may feel assured, that they will enjoy the stories I am going to tell, much better, if they understand the situation of the islands in the Pacific ocean.

CHAPTER II.

Parley sets out on a Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Description of Rio Janiero. Account of the Patagonians.

AFTER my return from Canton, as I have related in my tales of Asia, I was determined never again to go to sea. But after remaining about a year, I became weary of the land. Beside, I had failed to lay up any property, and being unable to get any suitable employment ashore, I found it necessary again to enter a ship, and try my fortune upon the

waves.

I was offered the situation of first mate on board a vessel, called the Beaver, of Boston, which was going to the Pacific ocean on a trading voyage. This offer I accepted, and in the fall of the year, we sailed from Boston. The captain of the vessel was named Richard Coffin, and my old friend James Jenkins, was second mate.

We proceeded to the south, passed the West Indies, and sailed along the coast of South America. We stopped at the city of Rio Janeiro a few days, to obtain provisions and fresh water. This I found to be a very large city, and has since become the capital of Brazil. It is now nearly as large as New York, and the Emperor of Brazil resides at this place.

After leaving Rio Janeiro, we continued to sail along the coast of South America, until we came near its southern extremity. This country is called Patagonia. We did not stop there; but it is a cold region, and the inhabitants are said to be almost as large as giants. A man who is six feet high, is with us considered quite tall, but in Patagonia many of the men are seven feet, and some of them eight feet high.

There is a curious story of these people, related by Magellan, a Spaniard who came to

What does Parley say of Rio Janeiro ? Where is Patagonia? What does Parley say of Patagonia? What of the people of Patago

nia?

this coast, about the year 1520. He had anchored near the land, for the purpose of passing the winter. He, and the people with him, supposed for sometime, that the country was uninhabited, but at length, they saw a huge savage come singing and dancing toward them. When he arrived on the beach he threw

dust on his head. One of the sailors went ashore and did the same. This seemed to please the savage, and he went on board the ship without hesitation. His hair was shaggy, his body painted yellow, and large circles were drawn round his eyes. His covering was the skin of some strange animal.

He was armed with a bow, and arrows pointed with sharp stones. A middle sized man was no higher than his shoulders, and his strength and bulk were proportioned to his height.

Magellan entertained him on board the ship much to his satisfaction. He pointed to the sky, and seemed to ask if the people on board

What story does Parley tell about the Patagonians?

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