The Journals of Lewis and Clark
excerpt from Chapter II from the Platte to Vermilion River
JULY 30th Monday 1804 Set out this morning early proceeded on to a clear open Prarieon the L. S. on a rise of about 70 feet higher than the bottom
which is also a Prarie (both forming Bluffs to the river) of High
Grass & Plumb bush Grapes &c. and situated above high
water, in a small Grove of timber at the foot of the Riseing
Ground between those two preraries, and below the Bluffs of the
high Prarie we Came too and formed a Camp, intending to waite
the return of the frenchman & Indians. the white horse which we
found near the Kanzus river, Died Last night
posted out our guard and sent out 4 men, Captn. Lewis & [I]
went up the Bank and walked a Short Distance in the high
Prarie this Prarie is Covered with Grass of 10 or I2 inches in
hight, Soil of good quality & at the Distance of about a mile still
further back the Countrey rises about 80 or 90 feet higher, and is
one Continued Plain as fur as Can be seen, from the Bluff on the
2d rise imediately above our Camp, the most butifull prospect of
the River up & Down and the Countrey Opsd. prosented it Self
which I ever beheld; The River meandering the open and
butifull Plains, interspursed with Groves of timber, and each point
Covered with Tall timber, Such as Willow Cotton sum Mulberry,
Elm, Sucamore Lynn [linden] & ash (The Groves contain Hickory,
Walnut, coffee nut & Oake in addition) http://ub0.cc/37/qQ
