Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

the state of being absent

From this reading But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

later than; following

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

at or in the front

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

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

From this reading But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

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

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

touched lightly in passing; grazed against

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

a procession of people traveling on horseback

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

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

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

plural of “cowboy” — a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

make a high-pitched, screeching noise

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

recognizable; marked

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

the act of departing

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

From this reading But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

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

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

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

From this reading But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

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

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

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

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

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

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

Roman lyric poet said to have influenced English poetry (65-8 BC)

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

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

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

plural of “lad” — a boy or man

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

plural of “leather” — an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

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 That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

staying power

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

being the only one; single and isolated from others

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

run easily

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

the force of workers available

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

plural of “mount” — a lightweight horse kept for riding only

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

a form of address for a man

From this reading But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

plural of “nail” — horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits

From this reading But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

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

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

not any; not one

From this reading But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

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

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

and nothing more

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

above and across; more than

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

with intention; in an intentional manner

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

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

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

an established line of travel or access

From this reading But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

put a saddle on

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

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

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

comparative of “snide” — expressive of contempt

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

move with or cause to move with a whistling or hissing sound

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

express in words

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

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

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

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

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

lose interest or become bored with something or somebody

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.

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

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

marked by dissimilarity

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

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

From this reading So lonesome was the ranch house after the departure of the party that, though they made several attempts to talk, Horace and the two Eastern lads finally decided to go to bed, to the evident relief of Mrs. Wilder.

(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 But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

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

From this reading Now and then the cowboys talked or laughed, but for the most part they were silent, the creak of the saddle leathers and the swish of the horses' legs as they brushed through the grass being the only sounds to tell that a body of men were riding through the darkness.

at the time that

From this reading OUT ON THE PLAINS Unlike the night when the hunting party had ridden over the plains, black clouds covered the sky, making the darkness so intense that the riders could not see fifty feet ahead of them.

United States writer and dramatist (1897-1975)

From this reading But Mr. Wilder and Nails knew the route well, so that the absence of the moon made no great difference.

in the company of; together with

From this reading That they need not tire their mounts by hard riding, Mr. Wilder had purposely set the start early and, with Snider on one side and Bill on the other, he led the cavalcade, setting the pace at a slow lope.