Chapter V · In and Out of the “Golden Ram”

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

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

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

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge

From this reading A gay clatter of hoofs on the uneven roadway made him turn just as Strangwayes came abreast of him.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

past form of “amble” — walk leisurely

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

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

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

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

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

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

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

past form of “blurt” — utter impulsively

From this reading At once Hugh blurted out what was uppermost in his thoughts: “Do you think, Dick, the host spoke true?

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

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

From this reading A gay clatter of hoofs on the uneven roadway made him turn just as Strangwayes came abreast of him.

a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)

From this reading A gay clatter of hoofs on the uneven roadway made him turn just as Strangwayes came abreast of him.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

slightly wet

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

the first light of day

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

someone who is a detective

From this reading At once Hugh blurted out what was uppermost in his thoughts: “Do you think, Dick, the host spoke true?

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading At once Hugh blurted out what was uppermost in his thoughts: “Do you think, Dick, the host spoke true?

divisible by two

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

plural of “flank” — the side of military or naval formation

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading A gay clatter of hoofs on the uneven roadway made him turn just as Strangwayes came abreast of him.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

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

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

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

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

a major road for any form of motor transport

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

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

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

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

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal

From this reading A gay clatter of hoofs on the uneven roadway made him turn just as Strangwayes came abreast of him.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

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

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

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

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

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

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

and nothing more

From this reading A gay clatter of hoofs on the uneven roadway made him turn just as Strangwayes came abreast of him.

immediately past

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A gay clatter of hoofs on the uneven roadway made him turn just as Strangwayes came abreast of him.

a Persian prophet who founded Manichaeism (216-276)

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

a public toilet for men

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

to a moderate degree

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

become covered with mist

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

plural of “nose” — the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A gay clatter of hoofs on the uneven roadway made him turn just as Strangwayes came abreast of him.

on one occasion

From this reading At once Hugh blurted out what was uppermost in his thoughts: “Do you think, Dick, the host spoke true?

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

established beyond doubt

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

problem solving that involves numbers or quantities

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

a road (especially that part of a road) over which vehicles travel

From this reading A gay clatter of hoofs on the uneven roadway made him turn just as Strangwayes came abreast of him.

put a saddle on

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

having a saddle on or being mounted on a saddled animal

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

inflected form of “slap” — hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

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

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading At once Hugh blurted out what was uppermost in his thoughts: “Do you think, Dick, the host spoke true?

having a supporting base

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

not in physical motion

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

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

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

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

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

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

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading At once Hugh blurted out what was uppermost in his thoughts: “Do you think, Dick, the host spoke true?

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading At once Hugh blurted out what was uppermost in his thoughts: “Do you think, Dick, the host spoke true?

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

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

having come into contact

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading At once Hugh blurted out what was uppermost in his thoughts: “Do you think, Dick, the host spoke true?

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading A gay clatter of hoofs on the uneven roadway made him turn just as Strangwayes came abreast of him.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture

From this reading A gay clatter of hoofs on the uneven roadway made him turn just as Strangwayes came abreast of him.

at or nearest to the top

From this reading At once Hugh blurted out what was uppermost in his thoughts: “Do you think, Dick, the host spoke true?

past form of “vow” — make a vow; promise

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

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

From this reading At once Hugh blurted out what was uppermost in his thoughts: “Do you think, Dick, the host spoke true?

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading At once Hugh blurted out what was uppermost in his thoughts: “Do you think, Dick, the host spoke true?

during the time that

From this reading Hugh slapped their flanks and settled their damp manes, while he waited for Strangwayes to pay the reckoning to the mildly curious host, but the process proved so long that at last he mounted into the saddle and ambled slowly out into the highway.

a Caucasian

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading Though the dawn of another day had broken, slate-colored clouds still hid the sun and a mist like a fine rain hung in the air; even the white horse and the gray, standing saddled and ready in the inn yard, touched noses as if they vowed the weather bad.

distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)

From this reading Turning the gray horse’s nose to the west he paced forward, with his heart a-jump at the thought that yonder in the mist before him real danger that tested men’s courage might be lurking.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading At once Hugh blurted out what was uppermost in his thoughts: “Do you think, Dick, the host spoke true?