Chapter XIX · Chapter 19

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

later than; following

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading All of that was perfectly clear to Marianne.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

rid of obstructions

From this reading All of that was perfectly clear to Marianne.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

-ing form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

having lost freshness or brilliance of color

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All of that was perfectly clear to Marianne.

the force of workers available

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

not any; not one

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

on one occasion

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading All of that was perfectly clear to Marianne.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

past form of “postpone” — hold back to a later time

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

filled with satisfaction

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

get by special effort

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

past form of “slump” — assume a drooping posture or carriage

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

one of the islands of Saint Christopher-Nevis

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

having a supporting base

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

past form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading All of that was perfectly clear to Marianne.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading She herself remained standing, carefully turning her back to the light so that her face might, as much as possible, be in shadow.

-ing form of “twirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

(of a thought or act) unwelcome or involuntary

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading All of that was perfectly clear to Marianne.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.

at the time that

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

in or at the place that

From this reading Her call brought Hervey back to her and she led him at once off the veranda and to the living room where she could talk secure of interruption or of being overheard.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading HERVEY TAKES A TRICK The night before, when Perris rode off from the ranchhouse after defying Hervey and his men, his hoofbeats had no sooner faded to nothing than the cowpunchers swarmed out from the patio and into the open; as though they wished to put their heads together and plan the battle which the command of Hervey, to-night, had postponed.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There he slumped uninvited into the first easy chair and sat twirling his sombrero on his finger-tips, obviously well satisfied with himself and the events of the evening.