Chapter XXIV

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

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

(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 There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

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

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

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

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

subject to appointment

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

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

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

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

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

showing careful forethought

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

a line of units following one after another

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

a small cosmetics case with a mirror; to be carried in a woman's purse

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading Scouts, creeping up to the house, had witnessed the departure of Oliver’s guests.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Like swift, scarcely visible shadows they sped back through the darkness of the swamp road with their report.

the act of departing

From this reading Scouts, creeping up to the house, had witnessed the departure of Oliver’s guests.

characterized by great determination

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

coming next after the seventh and just before the ninth in position

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

plural of “four” — the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading Scouts, creeping up to the house, had witnessed the departure of Oliver’s guests.

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

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

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

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

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

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

ten 10s

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

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

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

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

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

plural of “lane” — a narrow way or road

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Like swift, scarcely visible shadows they sped back through the darkness of the swamp road with their report.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

the force of workers available

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

a disorderly crowd of people

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

not any; not one

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

not one, and not any

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

plural of “nostril” — either one of the two external openings to the nasal cavity in the nose

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

according to the clock

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

possessive form of “oliver” — United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)

From this reading Scouts, creeping up to the house, had witnessed the departure of Oliver’s guests.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

a shaky motion

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

plural of “reach” — the limits within which something can be effective

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading Like swift, scarcely visible shadows they sped back through the darkness of the swamp road with their report.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

except for; apart from

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

only a very short time before

From this reading Like swift, scarcely visible shadows they sped back through the darkness of the swamp road with their report.

A distinctive smell or aroma.

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading Scouts, creeping up to the house, had witnessed the departure of Oliver’s guests.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading Like swift, scarcely visible shadows they sped back through the darkness of the swamp road with their report.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

necrotic tissue; a mortified or gangrenous part or mass

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

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

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly

From this reading Like swift, scarcely visible shadows they sped back through the darkness of the swamp road with their report.

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

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

kept from public knowledge by various means

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

past form of “surge” — rise and move, as in waves or billows

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

a low area (especially a marshy area between ridges)

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

moving very fast

From this reading Like swift, scarcely visible shadows they sped back through the darkness of the swamp road with their report.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

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

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

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

From this reading Like swift, scarcely visible shadows they sped back through the darkness of the swamp road with their report.

mixed with water

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

plural of “three” — the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

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

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

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

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

disease of livestock and especially cattle poisoned by eating certain kinds of snakeroot

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

plural of “two” — the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

difficult to use or handle or manage because of size or weight or shape

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

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

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

the topmost one of two

From this reading THE HANGING The mob, grim, silent and determined, advanced upon the house from the upper reaches of the swamp, a swaying, unwieldy mass that surged up the slope and thinned into a compact, snake-like column in the narrow road.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading Like swift, scarcely visible shadows they sped back through the darkness of the swamp road with their report.

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

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Since ten o’clock men by twos and threes and fours had been making their way through back streets and lanes to an appointed spot an eighth of a mile east of the Baxter home, the tree-bordered swale that marked the extreme northern end of the slough.

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

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

at the time that

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

which person or people

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There were no lights, and none spoke save in cautious whispers, nor was there one in all the grim three hundred who did not tremble under the strain of suppressed excitement—as the dog trembles when he is held in leash with the scent of the quarry in his quivering nostrils.

past form of “witness” — be a witness to

From this reading Scouts, creeping up to the house, had witnessed the departure of Oliver’s guests.