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LEIF ERICSON, WHO DISCOVERED VINLAND

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The Northmen discover Iceland and Greenland

1. The Voyages of the Northmen. The Northmen were a bold seafaring people who lived in northern Europe hundreds of years ago. Some of the very boldest once sailed so far to the west that they reached the shores of Iceland and Greenland, where many of them settled. Among these were Eric the Red and his son Leif Ericson.

Now Leif had heard of a land to the south of Greenland from some Northmen who had been driven far south in a great storm. He determined to set out in search of it. After sailing for many days he reached the shore of this New World (A. D. 1000). There he found vines with grapes on them growing so abundantly that he called the new land Vinland, a country of grapes.

Leif's discovery caused great excitement among his people. Some of them could hardly wait until the winter was over, and the snow and ice broken up, so as to let their ships go out to this new land.

This time Thorvald, one of Leif's brothers, led the expedition. On reaching land, as they stepped ashore, he exclaimed: "It is a fair region and here I should like to make my home." But Thorvald was killed in a battle with the Indians and was buried where he had wanted to build his home. The Northmen continued to visit the new land, but finally the Indians became so unfriendly that the Northmen went away and never came again.

SUGGESTIONS INTENDED TO HELP THE PUPIL

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The Leading Facts. 1. The Northmen, bold sailors, settled Iceland and Greenland. 2. Leif Ericson reached the shores of North America and called the country Vinland. 3. The Northmen continued to visit the new land, but finally ceased to come on account of the Indians.

Study Questions. 1. In what new countries did the Northmen settle? 2. Tell the story of Leif Ericson's voyage. 3. What did he call the new land, and why?

Suggested Readings. The Northmen: Glascock, Stories of Columbia, 7–9; Higginson, American Explorers, 3–15; Old South Leaflets, No. 31.