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Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation
Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation

Chapter XIX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/10 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CLOSE QUARTERS.
It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.
But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.
Therefore, there could be no question but that they had the thieves in a trap, as the farmer had said, and all that was necessary was to go and get them or the team.
At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation

Chapter XIX

Reading 1/10 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CLOSE QUARTERS.
Line 2
It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.
Line 3
But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.
Line 4
Therefore, there could be no question but that they had the thieves in a trap, as the farmer had said, and all that was necessary was to go and get them or the team.
Line 5
At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.”

Insisted verb US /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/

demanded something firmly

From this reading “But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “Therefore, there could be no question but that they had the thieves in a trap, as the farmer had said, and all that was necessary was to go and get them or the team.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.”

Start noun US /start/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “Therefore, there could be no question but that they had the thieves in a trap, as the farmer had said, and all that was necessary was to go and get them or the team.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.”

All words in this reading · 89

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 But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

all

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

answering

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

any

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

appeared

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Therefore, there could be no question but that they had the thieves in a trap, as the farmer had said, and all that was necessary was to go and get them or the team.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

boys

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

capture

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

certain

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

changed

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

CLOSE

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

From this reading CLOSE QUARTERS.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

description

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

driven

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

escape

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

farmer

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

George

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

get

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

From this reading Therefore, there could be no question but that they had the thieves in a trap, as the farmer had said, and all that was necessary was to go and get them or the team.

getting

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

give

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

go

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

From this reading Therefore, there could be no question but that they had the thieves in a trap, as the farmer had said, and all that was necessary was to go and get them or the team.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

hardly

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

horses

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

insistedverbUS /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/

demanded something firmly

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

intent

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

lost

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

mishap

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

much

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

near

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

necessary

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

From this reading Therefore, there could be no question but that they had the thieves in a trap, as the farmer had said, and all that was necessary was to go and get them or the team.

needed

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

only

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Therefore, there could be no question but that they had the thieves in a trap, as the farmer had said, and all that was necessary was to go and get them or the team.

out

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

outlet

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

plan

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

possible

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

precipitation

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

QUARTERS

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

From this reading CLOSE QUARTERS.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading Therefore, there could be no question but that they had the thieves in a trap, as the farmer had said, and all that was necessary was to go and get them or the team.

quickly

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

realized

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

road

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

said

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

From this reading Therefore, there could be no question but that they had the thieves in a trap, as the farmer had said, and all that was necessary was to go and get them or the team.

secure

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

startnounUS /start/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

team

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

there

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

ThereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Therefore, there could be no question but that they had the thieves in a trap, as the farmer had said, and all that was necessary was to go and get them or the team.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

thieves

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

too

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

trap

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

From this reading Therefore, there could be no question but that they had the thieves in a trap, as the farmer had said, and all that was necessary was to go and get them or the team.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But the farmer insisted that there was no outlet to the road; that a team answering to the description of the one George had lost had been driven in there, and that it had not come out.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading At first they were about to start out without any plan whatever, intent only on getting the horses as quickly as possible; but George realized in time that, secure as the thieves appeared to be against escape, all might be changed by too much precipitation.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading It hardly seemed possible to the boys that, after the mishap which it seemed would give the thieves all the time they needed to make good their escape, they could be so near to them that their capture seemed certain.