Chapter XXXIII · The Freight-Train

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

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Indeed, back in the cañon it was already night when the sun was but setting out here in the valley.

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

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

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

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Indeed, back in the cañon it was already night when the sun was but setting out here in the valley.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

a river that flows from central Wyoming to the Yellowstone River in southern Montana

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

past form of “blush” — turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

the lower side of anything

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

United States literary critic and historian (1886-1963)

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Indeed, back in the cañon it was already night when the sun was but setting out here in the valley.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading A deeply rutted wagon trail came out of the cañon as well as the river.

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

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading A deeply rutted wagon trail came out of the cañon as well as the river.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

one or the other of two

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

at any time

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

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

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

start firing a weapon

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

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

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

United States general who served as military director of the atomic bomb project (1896-1970)

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

a high place

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

poisonous drug derived from an Eurasian plant of the genus Conium

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

inflected form of “hem” — fold over and sew together to provide with a hem

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

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

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Indeed, back in the cañon it was already night when the sun was but setting out here in the valley.

past form of “intersperse” — place at intervals in or among

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

most important element

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

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

From this reading Indeed, back in the cañon it was already night when the sun was but setting out here in the valley.

the middle of the day

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A deeply rutted wagon trail came out of the cañon as well as the river.

plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

the bank of a river

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

full of ruts

From this reading A deeply rutted wagon trail came out of the cañon as well as the river.

from appearances alone

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading Indeed, back in the cañon it was already night when the sun was but setting out here in the valley.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

plural of “speck” — a very small spot

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

make square

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

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

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

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

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

of the highest quality

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

a just detectable amount

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading A deeply rutted wagon trail came out of the cañon as well as the river.

a person who changes location

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

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

From this reading Through the valley flowed a broad river, joined here by several mountain brooks which tumbled down from the heights on either hand to swell the main current, which entered the vale from the mouth of the broad cañon on the north.

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

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

characterized by abundance of verdure

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

precisely as stated

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading A deeply rutted wagon trail came out of the cañon as well as the river.

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

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

(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 A deeply rutted wagon trail came out of the cañon as well as the river.

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

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

at the time that

From this reading Indeed, back in the cañon it was already night when the sun was but setting out here in the valley.

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

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading For miles this trace wound along the riverside, hemmed in by gigantic cliffs on the tops of which the bighorn sheep looked like specks to the traveler below, and which were so high and so close together in places that it was twilight at noon in the bottom of the gorge!

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading The sun was sinking like a great globe of fire, seemingly at the very foot of the broad valley which, from its head, spread forth miles upon square miles of verdant lawn, crimson and yellow groves, the leaves of which blushed before the cold finger-touch of winter interspersed with patches of hemlock and spruce, now, as ever, green.