The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-19
Amer ca First Discovered by a r,oy

Almost four hundred and fifty years
! before Christopher Columbus was born.
America was discovered By a Norwe-
gian boy, named Biorn. son Of Hereolf.
He was known by no other tide for
IN those days sons did not share the
fathers name.
In the year 1902, Hergolf an Iceland
colonist, fitted out two small vessels
for trading voyage 10 the Greenland
settlement and placed one Of these under
the comand OF his son Biom, youth
Of sixteen years, who having been bred
10 the sea almost since infancy, had
mastered the details OF his profession
by the time that he arrived at an age
when other boys usually commence their
apprenticeship
When near the southern coast Of
Greenland, BiOn's ship encountered
heavy northeasterly gale, which lasted
several days and drove his vessel far
10 the south and west The storm
broke IN the night. and when morning
dawned he discovered a strange land
close aboard. Sailing along the coast
some distance he found a large bay
into which he steered and dropped anchor
Upon landing, the country was seen 10 be
clothed I'm vegetation, and the streams
swarming with fine salmon. Trees Of
large growth grew in great numbers
just back from the shore and the cli-
mate was balmy and delightful OF
natives they saw nothing. and be-
lieved the land uninhabted.
Rejolced over his important discovery,
Bion returned to Iceland, and communi-
Gated the news 10 his friend Lief. son OF
Eric the Red, who had founded the coll
ony on the coast OF that island. The
two ambitious young men Immediately en-
tered into an agreement 10 share the eX-
pense Of equipping a suitable vessel sail
ing TO this newly discovered land, and
bringing back whatever cargo promised
TO reimburse them for fitting out the
ship.
Their first sight OF the new land was
not calculated to impress Lief with a
promise Of its frultfulness for it was
rocky, barren and gloomy This gave
rise 10 openly expressed dissatisfaction
on his part, but Biorn assured him
that further south they would meet with
green fields and woodlands After the
fashion Of the early navigators i'm nam
ing geographical discoveries according 20 |
the features first presented, this place |
they called Helleland, and 10 the low san /
dy shore which they observed beyond |
H., and which was covered in spots with |
clumps Of small trees, they gave the |
name Of Markland. Two days later |
-ney Iell IN Win new line or coast, /
and sailing along this for several hours
3iorn made out the bay in which he had
anchored on his previous voyage. Into
his harbor they brought the ship and
noored her
This Yinland Of the early voyagers
9 known at the present day az New
oundiand. After making several short
ruises 20 the southwark and westward,
md sailing through the gulf Of 81.
.awrence until the river of that name
vas reached. the ship returned 20 her
.rst anchorage where the explorers
assed the winter.
In the accounts Of this remarkable
oyage, made five centuries before King
ferdinand and Queen Isabella bade Cod
peed 10 re Italian navigator in the
panish harDOr OF palOs. it Is recorded
y Biorn and Lief that the length Of
be shortest dev during the winter Of the
ear 1002-3 wa eigh. hours This
rOves cOnclusiyeiy that tnis Vinlsnd |
Z theirs was no further north than |
'ewfoundland, otherwise the length OF
he day would have been shorter.-Har-
crs Young People.