adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was a sort of chief of the natives, could speak a little English, and was a great favourite with the missionaries.
aimverbUS /eɪm/
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I resolved to question him, and get as much information from him as I could.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
bribenounUS /braɪb/
payment made to a person in a position of trust to corrupt his judgment
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/
a person who is in charge
From this reading He was a sort of chief of the natives, could speak a little English, and was a great favourite with the missionaries.
Chowbok
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
circulatedverbUS /ˈsɜːrkjəleɪtɪd/
past form of “circulate” — become widely known and passed on
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was a sort of chief of the natives, could speak a little English, and was a great favourite with the missionaries.
dangerousadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪndʒərəs/
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
drunkadjectiveUS /drʌŋk/
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading He was a sort of chief of the natives, could speak a little English, and was a great favourite with the missionaries.
favouritenounUS /ˈfeɪvərɪt/
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading He was a sort of chief of the natives, could speak a little English, and was a great favourite with the missionaries.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
freelyadverbUS /ˈfriːli/
in a free manner
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I resolved to question him, and get as much information from him as I could.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He was a sort of chief of the natives, could speak a little English, and was a great favourite with the missionaries.
grognounUS /ɡrɑːɡ/
rum cut with water
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a sort of chief of the natives, could speak a little English, and was a great favourite with the missionaries.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
informationnounUS /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/
a message received and understood
From this reading I resolved to question him, and get as much information from him as I could.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
Kahabuka
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was a sort of chief of the natives, could speak a little English, and was a great favourite with the missionaries.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
missionariesnounUS /ˈmɪʃəneriz/
plural of “missionary” — someone who attempts to convert others to a particular doctrine or program
From this reading He was a sort of chief of the natives, could speak a little English, and was a great favourite with the missionaries.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
nameverbUS /neɪm/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
nativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɪtɪv/
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
nativesnounUS /ˈneɪtɪvz/
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading He was a sort of chief of the natives, could speak a little English, and was a great favourite with the missionaries.
nicknamedverbUS /ˈnɪkneɪmd/
past form of “nickname” — give a nickname to
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
occasionallyadverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənəli/
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was a sort of chief of the natives, could speak a little English, and was a great favourite with the missionaries.
offerverbUS /ˈɔːfər/
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
pretendedadjectiveUS /priˈtendɪd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading I resolved to question him, and get as much information from him as I could.
realadjectiveUS /riːl/
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
regularadjectiveUS /ˈreɡjələr/
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
resolvedadjectiveUS /riˈzɑːlvd/
determined
From this reading I resolved to question him, and get as much information from him as I could.
shearers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
shearingnounUS /ˈʃɪrɪŋ/
removing by cutting off or clipping
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
shearing-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading He was a sort of chief of the natives, could speak a little English, and was a great favourite with the missionaries.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading He was a sort of chief of the natives, could speak a little English, and was a great favourite with the missionaries.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading At last shearing came; and with the shearers there was an old native, whom they had nicknamed Chowbok—though, I believe, his real name was Kahabuka.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
yardsnounUS /jɑːrdz/
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading He did not do any regular work with the shearers, but pretended to help in the yards, his real aim being to get the grog, which is always more freely circulated at shearing-time: he did not get much, for he was apt to be dangerous when drunk; and very little would make him so: still he did get it occasionally, and if one wanted to get anything out of him, it was the best bribe to offer him.
