272 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



and recross the ice-bound rivers. Springtime comes with the 

 impulse to wander farther north; the herds are more com- 

 pacted now; they slowly travel on their route; river after 

 river is crossed at first. But a change sets in; the ice grows 

 rotten; to all appearance it is the same, but it will no longer 

 bear the widely extended herd; the van goes crashing through 

 to death, and thousands more are pushed in by the oncoming 

 herd behind. 



The records of early travellers, we now realize, have much 

 on this subject. But the best I can find is still from the garru- 

 lous and ever-delightful Henry:" 



"March 28, 1801. — It [the ice on Red River] continued 

 to drift on the 3 1 st, bearing great numbers of dead Buffalo from 

 above, which must have been drowned in attempting to cross 

 while the ice was weak. * * * 



"Wednesday, April ist. The river clear of ice, but 

 drowned Buffalo continue to drift by, entire herds. Several 

 are lodged on the banks near the fort. The women cut up 

 some of the fattest for their own use; the flesh appeared to be 

 fresh and good. It is really astonishing what vast numbers 

 have perished. They formed one continuous line in the cur- 

 rent for two days and nights. One of my men found a herd 

 that had fallen through the ice in Park River, and all had 

 been drowned; they were sticking in the ice which had not 

 yet moved in that part." 



"When they [The Mandans on the Missouri] collect the 

 driftwood, great numbers of drowned Buffalo that have per- 

 ished in attempting to cross above when the ice was getting bad 

 float down; those animals the natives are very careful to haul 

 on shore, as they prefer such flesh to that killed in any other 

 way."^^ 



April 7th. The women continue to cut up drowned 

 Buffalo to make tallow. 



April 18th. Rain; drowned Buffalo still drifting down 

 the River, but not in such vast numbers as before, many 

 having lodged on the banks and along the beach. 



" A. Henry's Journal, 1897, p. 174. ** Ibid., p. 341. 



