asted forty-nine days, after which time a long, low coast
was sighted in the distance. This coast, which was probably North
Carolina, afforded no landing place, and for some time Verrazzano
sailed north and then south, searching for one. The search proved
unsuccessful, and as the crew were in need of fresh water, Verrazzano
decided to send a boat ashore.

So a small boat was manned, and the sailors tried very hard to reach
the shore, but the surf was so high that they were unable to do this.
At last one brave sailor jumped from the boat into the foaming breakers
and swam toward the shore. He carried in one hand presents for the
Indians, who were standing at the water's edge watching the strange
sight. At length the sailor succeeded in swimming so close to the shore
that he was able to throw the presents to the Indians.

His courage then deserted him, and in terror he tried to swim back
to his vessel. The surf, however, dashed him on the sandy beach, and
he would have been drowned had not some of the Indians waded in and
dragged him ashore. These Indians quickly stripped him of all his
clothing and began to build an immense bonfire. The poor sailor thought
his end had come, and his former companions looked on from their ship
in horror at the preparations.

[Illustration: Indians Rescuing the Sailor.]

All of them thought that the Indians meant to burn him alive or else
to cook and eat him. To their great relief, the Indians treated him
very gently and kindly; they dried his clothes by the fire and warmed
him.

These kind Indians looked very savage. Their skin was copper colored,
their long, straight hair was tied and worn in a braid, and their faces
were very stern; for, you know, an Indian never laughs or smiles.

In spite of their fierce looks, however, they were very good to the
pale-faced stranger, and when he was strong again they led him back
to the shore, and he swam out to his ship.

Verrazzano was glad to see his sailor return in safety from this
dangerous trip. The man had risked his life, but no water had been
obtained for the crew. So Verrazzano started northward, and along the
coast of Maryland he made a landing and secured the much-needed fresh
water.

At this place the Frenchmen had an opportunity to return the kindness
that the Indians had shown their companion, but I am sorry to have
to tell you that they did not do so. While searching for the water,
Verrazzano and his followers came suddenly u