They were of strong and
hardy bodies, of ardent courage, and of great force. Their island
was the strongest in all the world, with its steep cliffs and rocky
shore. Their arms were all of gold, and so was the harness of the
wild beasts which they tamed and rode. For in the whole island there
was no metal but gold. They lived in caves wrought out of the rocks
with much labour, and they had many ships with which they sailed out
to other countries to obtain booty." Cortez and Grijalva believed
that they were near the coast of Asia, for they had no conception of
the size of the world nor of the vastness of the Pacific Ocean; and
as the newly-discovered land corresponded with the country described
in the romance, they named the peninsula California.'
'My book,' said Philip, 'declared that the derivation of the name was
very uncertain, and that it was first bestowed on one of the coast
bays by Bernal Diaz.'
'Now, Philip!' exclaimed Margery, 'do you suppose we are going to
believe that, after Geoff's lovely story?'
'Certainly not; I only thought I'd permit you to hear both sides. I
knew of course that you would believe the prettier story of the two--
girls always do!'
'That isn't a "pretty story"--your remark, I mean, so we won't
believe it; will we, girls?' asked Bell.
'Now, Polly, your eyes sparkle as if you couldn't wait another
minute; your turn next,' said Dr. Winship.
'I am only afraid that I can't remember my contribution, which is
really Bell's and still more really Pancho's, for he told it to us,
and Bell translated it and made it into a story.
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