Clark: March 30, 1805
On this Sunday, large quantities of ice broke loose upstream and floated down the river, which rose 13 inches in 24 hours. Clark watched with amazement as Indians leapt nimbly between small, drifting ice cakes—some less than two feet square—to catch buffalo carried along by the current. The plains on both sides of the river were ablaze, visible from the fort. Clark notes it was customary for the Indians to burn the plains near their villages each spring to encourage early grass for their horses and to attract buffalo.
30th of March. The Ice is passing in great quantites, river ran a little,
The Plains are on fire on both Sides of the river it is common for the
indians to Set those Plains on fire near their village for the advantage
of early Grass for the hors & as an inducement to the Buffalow to
visit them
—
30th of March Sunday 1805 The obstickle broke away above & the ice
came dow in great quantites the river rose 13 inches the last 24 hours I
observed extrodanary dexterity of the Indians in jumping from one Cake of
ice to another, for the purpose of Catching the buffalow as they float
down maney of the Cakes of ice which they pass over are not two feet
Square. The Plains are on fire in view of the fort on both Sides of the
River, it is Said to be common for the Indians to burn the Plains near
their villages every Spring for the benifit of ther horse, and to induce
the Buffalow to come near to them.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
30th of March. The ice is passing in great quantities, the river rose a little. The plains are on fire on both sides of the river. It is common for the Indians to set those plains on fire near their village for the advantage of early grass for the horses and as an inducement to the buffalo to visit them.
30th of March, Sunday 1805. The obstacle broke away above and the ice came down in great quantities. The river rose 13 inches in the last 24 hours. I observed extraordinary dexterity of the Indians in jumping from one cake of ice to another, for the purpose of catching the buffalo as they float down. Many of the cakes of ice which they pass over are not two feet square.
The plains are on fire in view of the fort on both sides of the river. It is said to be common for the Indians to burn the plains near their villages every spring for the benefit of their horses, and to induce the buffalo to come near to them.
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