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In the Saddle
In the Saddle

Chapter VIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
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THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.
The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.
He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.
Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.
He was just the desperado for such work as that in which the commander of the Home Guards had engaged the evening before.
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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.

In the Saddle

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.
Line 2
The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.
Line 3
He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.
Line 4
Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.
Line 5
He was just the desperado for such work as that in which the commander of the Home Guards had engaged the evening before.

Learner Dictionary

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

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.”

Faithful noun US /ˈfaithful/

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

From this reading “Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

ACTION

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

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

appeared

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

attacks

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

attempted

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

Barkland

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

From this reading The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.

Bedford

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

BRIDGE

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

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

brother's

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

BYprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

camp-bed

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

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

commander

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

From this reading He was just the desperado for such work as that in which the commander of the Home Guards had engaged the evening before.

daylight

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

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

desperado

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

From this reading He was just the desperado for such work as that in which the commander of the Home Guards had engaged the evening before.

drove

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

engaged

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

From this reading He was just the desperado for such work as that in which the commander of the Home Guards had engaged the evening before.

evening

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

From this reading He was just the desperado for such work as that in which the commander of the Home Guards had engaged the evening before.

faithfulnounUS /ˈfaithful/

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

Guards

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

From this reading He was just the desperado for such work as that in which the commander of the Home Guards had engaged the evening before.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

hardly

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

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

Home

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

From this reading He was just the desperado for such work as that in which the commander of the Home Guards had engaged the evening before.

house

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

just

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

From this reading He was just the desperado for such work as that in which the commander of the Home Guards had engaged the evening before.

Levi

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

lieutenant

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

Lyndhall

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

Lyon

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

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

Major

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

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

major's

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

mob

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

months

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

Mr

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

From this reading The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

night

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

From this reading The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

now

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.

only

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

overseer

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

past

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

principal

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

RAILROAD

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

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

rather

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

reality

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

recalled

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

From this reading The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.

Riverlawn

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

rudest

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

ruffian

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

shoot

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

sprang

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

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

strange

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

stripe

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He was just the desperado for such work as that in which the commander of the Home Guards had engaged the evening before.

supporter

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

tent

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

From this reading The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

Three

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

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

Titus

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

From this reading He thought it was rather strange that Captain Titus had not brought his lieutenant, as it now appeared that he was in reality, as he had been before only in appearance; for he was a ruffian of the rudest stripe.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Three months before he had attempted to shoot Levi Bedford, the major's faithful overseer, as he drove past his house; and he had been his brother's principal supporter in the attacks of the mob upon Riverlawn and Lyndhall.

visit

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

From this reading The first thing he recalled was the visit to his tent in the night of Mr. Barkland.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading THE ACTION BY THE RAILROAD BRIDGE It was hardly daylight the next morning when Major Lyon sprang from his camp-bed.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He was just the desperado for such work as that in which the commander of the Home Guards had engaged the evening before.

work

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

From this reading He was just the desperado for such work as that in which the commander of the Home Guards had engaged the evening before.