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Dave Porter at Star Ranch
Dave Porter at Star Ranch

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for Dave Porter at Star Ranch
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.
During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.
Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.
"I really think the fellow was Andy Andrews," said the sheriff.
"But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Dave Porter at Star Ranch

Chapter XX

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.
Line 2
During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.
Line 3
Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.
Line 4
"I really think the fellow was Andy Andrews," said the sheriff.
Line 5
"But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “"But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “"But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I really think the fellow was Andy Andrews," said the sheriff.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.”

All words in this reading · 82

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

all

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

amused

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

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

Andrews

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

From this reading "I really think the fellow was Andy Andrews," said the sheriff.

Andy

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

From this reading "I really think the fellow was Andy Andrews," said the sheriff.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

best

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

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

big

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

From this reading "But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."

boys

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

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

called

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

chums

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

company

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

county

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

Dave

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

describe

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

Endicott

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

fellow

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

From this reading "I really think the fellow was Andy Andrews," said the sheriff.

FISHING

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

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

girls

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

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading "But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

horses

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

HUNTING

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

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I really think the fellow was Andy Andrews," said the sheriff.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

lads

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

Link

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

man

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

Merwell

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

missing

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

Mr

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

nerve

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

From this reading "But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

official

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

owner

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

parts

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

From this reading "But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."

ranch

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

really

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

From this reading "I really think the fellow was Andy Andrews," said the sheriff.

received

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

remainder

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

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

requested

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

said

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

From this reading "I really think the fellow was Andy Andrews," said the sheriff.

seen

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

sheriff

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

show

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

From this reading "But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."

some

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

talk

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

Then

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading "But if so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts."

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I really think the fellow was Andy Andrews," said the sheriff.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

trail

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

visit

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "I really think the fellow was Andy Andrews," said the sheriff.

week

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

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading FISHING AND HUNTING The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused themselves as best they could.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading During that time, Mr. Endicott received a visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called upon to tell all they could about the missing horses.

whispered

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

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then, after some whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in company with Link Merwell.