A short translation for a Sunday.

Question

The book I am reading currently, was written in the 20th century,the author however insists on using words from the not too distant past. I struggled with this passage for a while before understanding it.

See if you can understand it and translate it to english.

Ese año el invierno fue crudo; después de prolongada sequía los víveres escasearon,las praderas agostadas no vieron más aquellas manadas de otrora de cíbolos pastando sobre ellas.

We are in a bit of a debate whether "manadas DE otrora is a typo in the book. - pacofinkler, Sep 2, 2013

Answer 1

My attempt: That year, the winter was harsh. After a lengthy drought, the supplies were scarce. The flat/ exhausted meadows no longer saw the herds of former bison grazing over them.

Bien Hecho Jl wilson. - pacofinkler, Sep 2, 2013

Thank you, Paco. - 0083f5dc, Sep 2, 2013

Hi--I would move a word- "former herds" - pacofinkler, Sep 4, 2013

Answer 2

Here's mine:

The winter was cruel that year. After a prolonged drought, diminishing supplies, the prairies parched, they no longer saw the erstwhile herds of bison grazing over them.

Awesome, thank you. I was wondering what the correct translation would be. - 0083f5dc, Sep 2, 2013

I have never heard the word erstwhile before today. - 0083f5dc, Sep 2, 2013

Thank you, no such thing as a "correct" translation though ;-) - lagartijaverde, Sep 3, 2013