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Hidden Water
Hidden Water

Chapter XVIII

Cover illustration for Hidden Water
Context Illustration Reading 1/51 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.
He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.
The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Hidden Water

Chapter XVIII

Reading 1/51 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.
Line 2
There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.
Line 3
He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.
Line 4
Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.
Line 5
The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.

Learner Dictionary

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

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.”

BLOOD noun US /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.”

Disappeared noun US /ˈdisappeared/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.”

All words in this reading · 79

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

all

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

From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

Arizona

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

From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

away

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

From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.

BAD

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

bare

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

From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.

BLOODnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

Bronco

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

bucket

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

From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

came

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

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

canyon

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

From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.

changed

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

Creede

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

desolate

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

From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.

devil

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.

Dos

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

From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.

down

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

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

drifting

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

earth

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

From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.

eyes

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

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

face

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

fresh

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

From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

God-forsaken

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

From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.

hardly

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

hat

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

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

Hidden

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

horse

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

house

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

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.

laughing

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

lay

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

From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.

led

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

From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.

like

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

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

Mesa

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

near

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

places

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

From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.

ranch

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

From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.

run

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

S

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

From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.

sheep

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

sight

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

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

spurred

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

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

stay

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

swore

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

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

There

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

From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.

threw

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

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

thrown

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

From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

tracks

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

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

trail

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

From this reading There was a fresh sheep trail in the canyon and it led away from the ranch.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

Water

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

well

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

From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading BAD BLOOD The sheep were on the run, drifting across Bronco Mesa as if the devil was after them, and Creede could hardly stay on his horse from laughing--but when he drew near to Hidden Water his face changed.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He spurred forward like the wind, his eyes upon the tracks, and when he came in sight of the house he threw down his hat and swore.

woodpile

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

From this reading The earth lay bare and desolate before it; the woodpile had disappeared; the bucket was thrown down the well.

worst

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

From this reading Of all the God-forsaken places in Arizona, the Dos S Ranch was the worst.