The
Story of Lewis and Clark.
This ebook
publication is derived from an original
book entitled
Four
American Explorers.
Copyrighted in 1902. This
publication includes the
story of Lewis and Clark Expedition, only. This
story is an abbreviated account of the expedition
of
1804-1805, and, as the subtitle indicates, is “A
Book For
Young
Americans”.
The publication consists 132 pages of text,
and
approximately 28 black and white/gray scale
images, and assortment of additional images
that are
part of the original
book.
This is an ideal book for the first time
exposure to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The book is short,
and uncomplicated, so it doesn't have the same kind of detail,
and background that a longer work would have; realistically,
even a 600 page book could not tell the whole story, but it
would have much more detail than this short
work
Beyond grammar school, I never remember
reading, or remembering much about the Lewis and Clark
Expedition (or the Corps of Discovery). I think I envisioned
it as being a very long backpacking trip. And I probably
assumed that for the men of that day and time, it was just a
picnic.
Only in my later reading, and study, have I
learned that it was a monumental achievement. The physical
strength, and endurance, the fortitude, and courage,
intelligence, and common sense were all common attributes of
all the members of the expedition. Not only did they have to
battle the elements, from oppressive heat, to freezing cold,
to dry desert, and flowing rivers, but they also had to
contend with wild animals, especially the dreaded grizzly bear
(whom the Indians also feared), and some hostile Indians
(though some Indians were also friendly). It is amazing that
only one man was lost during the whole expedition, and that
was due to an acute case of appendicitis
I've read much more detail works, and I'm sure
I've absorbed other details through the years, but I still
found this book to be an interesting and compelling read. It
is exciting, and definitely includes details, and stories that
I'd never heard before; (perhaps this is true because of the
age of the book, or because of my own age and
memory.)
For
example, in the following passage, I'd never heard of this
initiation/custom; (in fact, I didn't realize that there were
'sailors' on the expedition), and the phrase 'equinoctial
line'.
“At
last the
PlatteRiverwas
reached. There the sailors carried out a
curious custom. It seems that the passing of the
PlatteRiveris
regarded by
Missouri
Riverboatmen
just as the crossing of the equinoctial line is regarded by
sailors on the sea. To mark the passing of it every man in the
who had never been there before was caught and shaved, unless
he could "stand treat" to his
comrades.”
Or
that the Kite Indians were“so
called because
they were
always flying
about”
This
is an interesting one, though kind of bad for the
horse:
“Early
in August they came to the
burial-place of a great and
awful chief of
the Omahanation
named Blackbird………….
He was buried sitting erect on
horseback.”
How
about the “singing Indians”:
“No sooner were the explorers settled than a
dozen Indians appeared on the opposite bank and began to sing.
This was their sign of friendship, and their friendship was
very genuine. “
I
would be remiss not to mention Sacajawea. She, and her
husband, were essential members of the expedition, of that
there is no doubt. I myself did not know that during that time
while she was traveling with them, she gave birth to a son,
and carried him along with her. She was a tough lady
!
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