Chapter XXV · The Mad Hunter

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

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

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

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

later than; following

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

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

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

plural of “appetite” — a feeling of craving something

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

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

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

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

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

plural of “boundary” — the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

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

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

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

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

troops trained to fight on horseback

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

an officer in command of a military unit

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

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

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

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

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

someone who is a detective

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

past form of “encamp” — live in or as if in a tent

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

avoiding waste

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

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

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

possessive form of “heart” — the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

the side or slope of a hill

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

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

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

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

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

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

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

and nothing more

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

set afire

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

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

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

the act of departing

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

a commissioned military officer

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

the force of workers available

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

not any; not one

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

according to the clock

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

past form of “overwhelm” — overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

make short successive sounds

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

the news as presented by reporters for newspapers or radio or television

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

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

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

a large number or amount

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

having the point made sharp

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

in the near future

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

inflected form of “stride” — walk with long steps

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

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

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

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

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

in the direction of

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

plural of “trooper” — a soldier in a motorized army unit

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading It was just sunset, but twilight among the mountains is sometimes four hours long--a man might see to read fine print at nine o’clock.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading Leaving his servant to prepare his frugal meal, the commander of the soldiers strode up the hillside toward the summit of the ridge, the better to view the valley and its boundaries while daylight lingered.

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

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The command had ridden hard and were a-wearied, so the party had bivouacked early, the guide reporting that the ridge before them afforded no good camping-ground.

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

From this reading In the valley a cavalry command was encamped, some hours after the battle in which Lieutenant Dick Danforth and his men had been overwhelmed by Oak Heart’s ambuscade.

during the time that

From this reading The horses were soon lariated out, and scores of camp-fires were kindled along the banks of the stream, while the cheerful rattle of dishes and the smell of cooking sharpened the appetites of the troopers.