What is Told by a Ship's Bell..Captain John M. Ellicott, U.S.N. 141

THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN........William Cowper 165

DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION

Magellan's Voyage.....

Henry Hudson's Quest....

Washington Irving 254

Christopher Columbus 255

...Joaquin Miller 257

Alice Johnstone Walker 259

Antonio Pigafetta 271

Burton Egbert Stevenson 275

First Exploration of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado

Major J. W. Powell

277

Reaching the North Pole Rear-Admiral Robert E. Peary, U.S.N.

287

SIXTH READER

ON A BICYCLE

HENRY CHARLES BEECHING

With lifted feet, hands still,
I am poised, and down the hill
Dart, with heedful mind;
The air goes by in a wind.

Swifter and yet more swift,
Till the heart gives a mighty lift;
'Tis more than skating, bound
Steel-shod to the level ground.

Speed slackens now, I float
Awhile in my airy boat;

Till, when the wheels scarce crawl,

My feet to the treadles fall.

Alas, that the longest hill

Must end in a vale; but still,

Who climbs with toil, wheresoe'er,

Shall find wings waiting there.

I

A SONG FROM THE SUDS

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT

Queen of my tub, I merrily sing,
While the white foam rises high;

And sturdily wash and rinse and wring,
And fasten the clothes to dry;

Then out in the free fresh air they swing,
Under the sunny sky.

I am glad a task to me is given,

To labor at day by day;

For it brings me health and strength and hope, And I cheerfully learn to say,

"Head, you may think, Heart, you may feel, But, Hand, you shall work alway!"

GOING A-NUTTING

EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN

No clouds are in the morning sky,
The vapors hug the stream,
The yellow chestnut showers its gold,

The sumac spreads its gleam;

At every turn the maples burn,

The quail is whistling free,

The partridge whirs, and the frosted burs

Are dropping for you and me.

Ho! Hilly ho! heigh O!
Hilly ho!

In the clear October morning.