Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

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

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

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

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

(physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

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

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

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

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

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

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

plural of “digger” — a laborer who digs

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

an excavation for ore or precious stones or for archaeology

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

a low heavy horse cart without sides; used for haulage

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading The ground was in a puddle of melted snow and mud, not a dry spot to be found.

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

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

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

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

divisible by two

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

-ing form of “extricate” — release from entanglement of difficulty

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

wood used for fuel

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

set up or found

From this reading The ground was in a puddle of melted snow and mud, not a dry spot to be found.

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

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

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading The ground was in a puddle of melted snow and mud, not a dry spot to be found.

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

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

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

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

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

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

without knowledge or intention

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

go away from a place

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

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

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

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

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

changed from a solid to a liquid state

From this reading The ground was in a puddle of melted snow and mud, not a dry spot to be found.

United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

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

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

above and across; more than

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

go across or through

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

wade or dabble in a puddle

From this reading The ground was in a puddle of melted snow and mud, not a dry spot to be found.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

cut with a saw

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

the act of searching for something

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

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

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

make a splashing sound

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading The ground was in a puddle of melted snow and mud, not a dry spot to be found.

past form of “snow” — fall as snow

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

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

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The ground was in a puddle of melted snow and mud, not a dry spot to be found.

not in physical motion

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

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

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

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

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

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

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

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

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading WE LEAVE THE LINDIS--ATTEMPT TO DRIVE FAT CATTLE TO THE DIGGINGS AND FAIL--RETURN TO DUNEDIN.

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

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

at the time that

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.

in or at the place that

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

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

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

during the time that

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With the assistance of some friendly diggers we succeeded in extricating them, but the unfortunate accident prevented our proceeding further that night, and we passed it on the borders of the swamp where not an atom of firewood could be obtained.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The first day took us out of McLean's run, and the second saw us at nightfall on Miller and Gooche's side of the pass, which was still snowed over, but the traffic had worked the track up into deep slush and mud, and late in the evening we were near losing the dray and horses in a swamp we had inadvertently entered while seeking a better passage.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading On the return journey we had as much company as when we came, and the road was even worse, but the dray being almost empty we experienced less difficulty in proceeding.