Lewis preyed upon the fear and respect that Plains Indians had for fires in his passive-aggressive sTrump speech In which he warned Indians that the "great father" (President Jefferson) could destroy them and their tribe in the same way that, "fire destroys and consumes the grass of the plains."
Saw a real cowboy herding cattle on his horse today. This is something I have seen before here in S.D., which prides itself on rodeo competition in much the same way that Minnesota prides itself on being the "State of Hockey". Sad to think that with evolving technology this could be the last generation for that job.
The River, which is not at all muddy in these parts, does a 180 degree turn just above the Big Bend Dam. Clark complained that at the bend his crew had to travel 30 miles around a long peninsula that was only a mile wide. The keelboat was too big to portage. My hardships pale in comparison to theirs, but at least the Corps of Discovery did not have to trek up and down steep river bluffs like I did throughout my ride today.
We are camping near the mouth of the Bad River in Pierre. This is the location of one of the most hostile confrontations Lewis and Clark had with Native Americans. The Teton Sioux Tribe that inhabited this region at the time has a reputation among French fur traders as being very hostile in their attempts to control commerce on the River. According to a captive from another tribe they were aware of the expedition and intended to annihilate the entire expedition upon their arrival in what is now Fort Pierre. Not surprisingly, the chiefs reacted badly to Lewis's sTrump speech.
A very serious standoff ensued with Lewis and Clark threatening to put their heavy artllery to use. A very ugly battle in which the Indians would likely have ultimately prevailed was averted when an elderly chief, who was himself embroiled in a power struggle within the tribe, intervened on the side of peace.
South Dakota roadkill is a little different.
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