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On the Frontier
On the Frontier

Chapter II

Cover illustration for On the Frontier
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.
As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.
“Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.
Mother of God! and all to see that little mongrel, Juanita.”
“But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

On the Frontier

Chapter II

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.
Line 2
As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.
Line 3
“Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.
Line 4
Mother of God! and all to see that little mongrel, Juanita.”
Line 5
“But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.”

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.”

Couldst modal verb US /kʊdst/

an old form of “could”, used with “thou”

From this reading ““Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading ““But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.”

Scarce adjective US /skɛrs/

hard to find or in short supply

From this reading ““Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.”

Thou pronoun US /ðaʊ/

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading ““Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading ““Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.”

Thy determiner US /ðaɪ/

an old word for “your”, speaking to one person

From this reading ““Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.

ago

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

all

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

From this reading Mother of God! and all to see that little mongrel, Juanita.”

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

Antonio

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

From this reading As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.

aye

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

Blessed

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

Briones

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.

canada

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

From this reading As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.

chance

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

From this reading “But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.

cleft

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

couldstmodal verbUS /kʊdst/

an old form of “could”, used with “thou”

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

Don

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

dusty

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

emerging

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

From this reading As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.

enough

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

Father

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

feet

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

Fisherman

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

foot-hills

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

Francisco

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

From this reading As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

God

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

From this reading Mother of God! and all to see that little mongrel, Juanita.”

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.

grunted

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

From this reading As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.

hacienda

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

hidden

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

highway

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

Jose

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

Juan

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

Juanita

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

From this reading Mother of God! and all to see that little mongrel, Juanita.”

leagues

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

longer

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.

moment

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

mongrel

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

From this reading Mother of God! and all to see that little mongrel, Juanita.”

Mother

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

From this reading Mother of God! and all to see that little mongrel, Juanita.”

mule

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

From this reading As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.

nestling

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

Oh

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

Pedro

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

play-fellow

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

From this reading “But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.

priest

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

put

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

From this reading As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.

reflected

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

saddle

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

San

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

scarceadjectiveUS /skɛrs/

hard to find or in short supply

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

see

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

From this reading Mother of God! and all to see that little mongrel, Juanita.”

sight

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

From this reading As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.

sit

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

soon

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

From this reading “But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.

spurs

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

From this reading As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.

straying

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Mother of God! and all to see that little mongrel, Juanita.”

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading “But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.

thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

three

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

thydeterminerUS /ðaɪ/

an old word for “your”, speaking to one person

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

tired

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

travelers

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

walls

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

From this reading As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

wast

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

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

way

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

From this reading “But, good Antonio, Juanita was my play-fellow, and I may not soon again chance this way.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “Oh aye, little priest! thou wast tired enough a moment ago, and though we are not three leagues from the Blessed Fisherman, thou couldst scarce sit thy saddle longer.

whitewashed

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

From this reading As Francisco, emerging from the canada, put spurs to his mule at the sight of the whitewashed walls, Antonio grunted.

wisely

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.

wooded

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

From this reading The hacienda of Don Juan Briones, nestling in a wooded cleft of the foot-hills, was hidden, as Father Pedro had wisely reflected, from the straying feet of travelers along the dusty highway to San Jose.