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In the Saddle
In the Saddle

Chapter XXVII

Cover illustration for In the Saddle
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.
"Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.
"A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.
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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 XXVII

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.
Line 2
The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.
Line 3
The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.
Line 4
"Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.
Line 5
"A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.”

All words in this reading · 79

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.

alarming

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

announcement

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

approach

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

Beck

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

From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

blazing

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

From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

buried

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

CAMP-FIRE

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

camp-fires

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

From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.

CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

cast

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

From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.

cavalry

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

close

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

coming

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

From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.

darkness

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

defence

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

demanded

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

From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.

detachment

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

From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.

directions

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

enemy

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

exception

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

Gordon

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

hill

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

From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.

light

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

From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

mud

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

NEAR

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

news

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

From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

ordered

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

prepared

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

Rangers

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

rather

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.

ROAD

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

roll

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

saluted

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

From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.

scene

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

From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.

scout

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

From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.

scouts

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

suggested

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

Texan

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

there

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

top

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

From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.

trooper

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

From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.

up

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

From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.

vicinity

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

weird

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

From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.

Well

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

From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The camp-fires were blazing near the road, and a weird light was cast upon the scene.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "A detachment of cavalry was coming up when I left the top of the hill," replied the trooper.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading AT THE CAMP-FIRE NEAR THE ROAD As Captain Gordon suggested, there was no enemy in the vicinity with the exception of the Texan Rangers, half buried in the mud.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading The approach of cavalry from both directions, and in the darkness, was rather an alarming announcement; and if the scouts had not been close by, he would have ordered the long roll, and prepared for defence.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Well, Beck, what is your news?" demanded the captain, as the scout saluted him.