In the Current of the Revolution 103 



middle of the plain the cold and exhaustion told so 

 on the weaker men that the canoes had to take them 

 aboard and carry them on to the land; and from 

 that time on the little dug-outs plied frantically to 

 and fro to save the more helpless from drowning. 

 Those who, though weak, could still move onward, 

 clung to the stronger, and struggled ahead, Clark 

 animating them in every possible way. When they 

 at last reached the woods the water became so deep 

 that it was to the shoulders of the tallest, but the 

 weak and those of low stature could now cling to 

 the bushes and old logs, until the canoes were able 

 to ferry them to a spot of dry land, some ten acres 

 in extent, that lay nearby. The strong and tall got 

 ashore and built fires. Many on reaching the shore 

 fell flat on their faces, half in the water, and could 

 not move further. It was found that the fires did 

 not help the very weak, so every such a one was put 

 between two strong men, who ran him up and down 

 by the arms, and thus soon made him recover. 30 



Fortunately at this time an Indian canoe, paddled 

 by some squaws, was discovered and overtaken by 

 one of the dug-outs. In it was half a quarter of a 

 buffalo, with some corn, tallow, and kettles. This 

 was an invaluable prize. Broth was immediately 

 made, and was served out to the most weakly with 

 great care ; almost all of the men got some, but very- 

 many gave their shares to the weakly, rallying and 

 joking them to put them in good heart. The little 

 refreshment, together with the fires and the bright 



30 Clark's "Memoir." 



