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Higginson, Thomas Wentworth, 1823-1911

"Tales of the Enchanted Islands of the Atlantic"

Later, the first explorers of New Mexico thought thatthe pueblos were the Seven Cities; so that both the names of the imaginaryisland have been preserved, although those of Luis de Vega and hisfaithful Juanita have not been recorded until the telling of this tale.XVIHARALD THE VIKINGErik the Red, the most famous of all Vikings, had three sons, and oncewhen they were children the king came to visit Erik and passed through theplayground where the boys were playing. Leif and Biorn, the two oldest,were building little houses and barns and were making believe that theywere full of cattle and sheep, while Harald, who was only four years old,was sailing chips of wood in a pool. The king asked Harald what they were,and he said, "Ships of war." King Olaf laughed and said, "The time maycome when you will command ships, my little friend." Then he asked Biornwhat he would like best to have. "Corn-land," he said; "ten farms." "Thatwould yield much corn," the king replied. Then he asked Leif the samequestion, and he answered, "Cows." "How many?" "So many that when theywent to the lake to be watered, they would stand close round the edge, sothat not another could pass." "That would be a large housekeeping," saidthe king, and he asked the same question of Harald. "What would you likebest to have?" "Servants and followers," said the child, stoutly.


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