Chapter I

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

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

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

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading “Blah!” snorted Sheriff Cook, when the possibility of Bancroft’s being in the vicinity was mentioned to him.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Blah!” snorted Sheriff Cook, when the possibility of Bancroft’s being in the vicinity was mentioned to him.

plural of “berry” — any of numerous small and pulpy edible fruits; used as desserts or in making jams and jellies and preserves

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

pompous or pretentious talk or writing

From this reading “Blah!” snorted Sheriff Cook, when the possibility of Bancroft’s being in the vicinity was mentioned to him.

bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

closed to traffic

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

to strive with determination

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

placed in a grave

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

used especially of front teeth having (artificial) crowns

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

money in the form of bills or coins

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

joined together into a whole

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

document effecting a property transfer

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

plural of “drift” — a force that moves something along

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

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

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

someone who escorts and protects a prominent person

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

divisible by two

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

(of fabrics) having soft nap produced by brushing

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

set up or found

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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 “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

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

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

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

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

in a hopeless manner

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

plural of “horseman” — a man skilled in equitation

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

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

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

ten 10s

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

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

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

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

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

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

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

an opaque form of quartz; red or yellow or brown or dark green in color; used for ornamentation or as a gemstone

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

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

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

elegant and sumptuous

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading “Blah!” snorted Sheriff Cook, when the possibility of Bancroft’s being in the vicinity was mentioned to him.

a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

plural of “mine” — excavation in the earth from which ores and minerals are extracted

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

a gambling card game of Spanish origin; 3 or 4 cards are dealt face up and players bet that one of them will be matched before the others as the cards are dealt from the pack one at a time

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

absolutely essential

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

an insignificant place

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

and nothing more

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

involved in a kind of operation

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

plural of “peak” — the most extreme possible amount or value

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

hard monotonous routine work

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

a future prospect or potential

From this reading “Blah!” snorted Sheriff Cook, when the possibility of Bancroft’s being in the vicinity was mentioned to him.

a particular course of action intended to achieve a result

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

have sovereign power

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

a partly sheltered anchorage

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

take something away by force or without the consent of the owner

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

move by turning over or rotating

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

plural of “rumor” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

put a saddle on

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

express in words

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

the principal law-enforcement officer in a county

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

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

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

held in check with difficulty

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

past form of “snort” — indicate contempt by breathing noisily and forcefully through the nose

From this reading “Blah!” snorted Sheriff Cook, when the possibility of Bancroft’s being in the vicinity was mentioned to him.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

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

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

plural of “snowshoe” — a device to help you walk on deep snow; a lightweight frame shaped like a racquet is strengthened with cross pieces and contains a network of thongs; one is worn on each foot

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

offering safety; well protected or concealed

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

an idea that is suggested

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

final or last in your life or progress

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

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

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

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

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

in or at that place or location

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

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

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

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

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

past form of “unroll” — reverse the winding or twisting of

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

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

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

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

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

precisely as stated

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading “Blah!” snorted Sheriff Cook, when the possibility of Bancroft’s being in the vicinity was mentioned to him.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

the visual percept of a region

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading “Blah!” snorted Sheriff Cook, when the possibility of Bancroft’s being in the vicinity was mentioned to him.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

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

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

at the time that

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

in or at the place that

From this reading “That jasper has a reward o’ five hundred berries on his head, and he ain’t venturin’ nowhere near my district, where law an’ order reign supreme, even ef I do say so myself, as shouldn’t, an’ further, what is thar to rob or hold up on this side o’ the Sangre?

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

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.

which person or people

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading So, when the First State Bank of Monte Vista found it necessary to get the three-thousand-dollar pay roll up to the Consolidated, back in the very heart of the snow country, it called upon Sheriff Joe Cook for two reasons: one, it wanted a suggestion as to the best method of procedure, snowshoes or saddle horses, and the other, it wanted an armed escort for the cash, for there were rumors that “Buck” Bancroft, road agent de luxe, who had been operating on the western slope in the autumn, had been seen on the valley side of the range, and the pay roll would be pickings for him.

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

From this reading The high roads that wound out of the village up to the various silver mines were hopelessly blocked for any sort of conveyance and open only to the most daring of horsemen, or the slow, plodding snowshoer.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading Author of “In the Wrong Pasture,” etc. Snow, which had first capped the higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos late in August, had unrolled its fleecy blanket down the slopes of the mountains, as the weeks went by, and had now smothered Monte Vista in huge crystal drifts that had all but buried the snug little town.