Chapter XVI

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

From this reading A TOUGH STORY.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

in addition

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

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

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

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

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

past form of “bestow” — present

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

the two together, not just one

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

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

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

plural of “clump” — a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

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

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

an opening that permits escape or release

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

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

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

many times at short intervals

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

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

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

only a very short time before

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

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

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

of great significance or value

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

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

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

past form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

having much knowledge or education

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

past form of “intervene” — get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

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

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

plural of “lad” — a boy or man

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

the force of workers available

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

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

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

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

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

and nothing more

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

the quantity of a crop that is harvested

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

a coniferous tree

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

an external body part consisting of feathers or hair about the neck of a bird or other animal

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

cut with a saw

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading A TOUGH STORY.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

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

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

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

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

not given to gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading A TOUGH STORY.

in the direction of

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

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

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

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

From this reading Several miles distant, in the heart of a dense pine forest, was the camp-fire of a party of Indians.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Old Ruff, taking the glass, saw by its aid the smoke making its way through the tree-tops; but he bestowed hardly a glance upon it, for he was in search of more important parties.

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

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

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

From this reading Turning the instrument toward the banks of the river, it was not many minutes before he descried two men, making their way among the rocks and undergrowth in the direction of the point indicated as the one from which the lads had made their exit.

a Caucasian

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The clumps of bushes, huge rocks, and here and there a few trees, intervened so frequently, and the men were picking their way with so much caution, that it was only now and then Old Ruff was able to get a fair look at them; but he succeeded in discovering that both were white men, dressed somewhat like Indians, and he was able also to keep himself informed of the general direction taken by them.