Chapter VI · Traffic in the Wilds

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

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

the state of being absent

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

later than; following

From this reading But nobody looked so dismal as Andreas, who could not hold up his head for some days after this new misfortune.

(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 They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

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

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

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

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

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

From this reading But nobody looked so dismal as Andreas, who could not hold up his head for some days after this new misfortune.

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

From this reading But nobody looked so dismal as Andreas, who could not hold up his head for some days after this new misfortune.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

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

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

for the reason that

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

past form of “cheat” — deprive somebody of something by deceit

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

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

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

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

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading But nobody looked so dismal as Andreas, who could not hold up his head for some days after this new misfortune.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

the act of discovering something

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

causing dejection

From this reading But nobody looked so dismal as Andreas, who could not hold up his head for some days after this new misfortune.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

fraught with uncertainty or doubt

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

the state of being employed or having a job

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

a deliberate act of omission

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

made afraid

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

death of a person

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

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

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

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

From this reading But nobody looked so dismal as Andreas, who could not hold up his head for some days after this new misfortune.

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

From this reading But nobody looked so dismal as Andreas, who could not hold up his head for some days after this new misfortune.

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

From this reading But nobody looked so dismal as Andreas, who could not hold up his head for some days after this new misfortune.

not capable of being carried out or put into practice

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

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

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

an inconvenient discomfort

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

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

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

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

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

the force of workers available

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

From this reading But nobody looked so dismal as Andreas, who could not hold up his head for some days after this new misfortune.

not based on the possession of money

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

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

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

no person; not anyone

From this reading But nobody looked so dismal as Andreas, who could not hold up his head for some days after this new misfortune.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

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

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

on one occasion

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

and nothing more

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

on the contrary

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

plural of “render” — a substance similar to stucco but exclusively applied to masonry walls

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

considered individually

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

capable of being sold; fit for sale

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

plural of “skin” — a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

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

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

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

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

plural of “sportsman” — someone who engages in sports

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

a frame that supports a boat while it is under construction

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

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

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

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

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

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

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

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

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

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

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

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

From this reading But nobody looked so dismal as Andreas, who could not hold up his head for some days after this new misfortune.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

precisely as stated

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

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

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

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

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

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

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

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

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

at the time that

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

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

From this reading Some of them looked rather grave upon the discovery of this new inconvenience, and not the less because the weather was now of the dubious kind which sets in at the end of autumn, and renders the pursuit of game impracticable for a few weeks.

an old word meaning “to where”

From this reading There was a very good reason for the merchants turning back when they discovered whither they were being conducted.

which person or people

From this reading But nobody looked so dismal as Andreas, who could not hold up his head for some days after this new misfortune.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading They had frightened Clara, and cheated Sophia, out of their respective stocks, and fairly robbed Lenore: so that, with the exception of half a dozen skins, too much worn to be saleable, and therefore left behind, the little company was once more moneyless.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading They had not only made an enormous profit of their traffic in the little settlement during the absence of the young sportsmen, and the employment of the rest of the men in the mine, but had carried off nearly all the skins they could lay their hands on.