I need some help understanding these two simple sentences.

Question

Quite near them, to the north, the creek bottoms lay below the prairie. Some darker green tree-tops showed, and beyond them bits of the rim of earthen bluffs held up the prairie's grasses.

Is this describing a muddy cliff on the other side of where they stand and only the rim of it is visible because trees cover their sight?
And why is the cliff holding up the grasses? What does this mean?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I can only guess.
We don't know the "level" of their vantage point. It may be described in prior context.
The level of the "prairie" would be the vast expanse of mostly level grassy ground. Looking at it topographically, there are two "other levels" to be seen: one higher (the bluffs) and one lower (the creek bottoms).
The creek bottoms may be seasonally dry, or there may be small streams flowing. I see nothing to suggest the presence of mud. A "muddy cliff" would be extremely unlikely in this sort of terrain, unless there's been a long period of heavy rain.
A "bluff" is a large raised portion of ground which is flat on top. The sides are typically steep, but the term "cliffs" may or may not apply. Cliffs are usually shear rock. (The ones in your paragraph are described as "earthen bluffs" --- not rock.)
The flat tops of the bluffs may or may not be grassy. In this particular case, we can assume they are. The author is figuratively describing the bluffs as "holding up the prairie's grasses." That is, it's as though a bluff had taken a section of prairie grass and lifted it into the air.
There are apparently some trees on the prairie between the observers and the bluffs. I don't think you could say they're obstructing the view. It sounds to me like they're at a distance. "Quite near them" is puzzling.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks a lot! This helps much.

I need some help understanding these two simple sentences.

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