Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

(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 The visions of my dazed brain were transmutations of reality; the scuffle, the rush, the retreat were not all dream.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

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

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

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

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

demand as being one's due or property; assert one's right or title to

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

plural of “assailant” — someone who attacks

From this reading Seeing the group of us, the good carrier and his lads leapt down and rushed on my assailants.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

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

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

exhale hard

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading The visions of my dazed brain were transmutations of reality; the scuffle, the rush, the retreat were not all dream.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

someone whose employment involves carrying something

From this reading Seeing the group of us, the good carrier and his lads leapt down and rushed on my assailants.

past form of “chance” — be the case by chance

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

in mental comfort; without stress

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

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

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock

From this reading The visions of my dazed brain were transmutations of reality; the scuffle, the rush, the retreat were not all dream.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Seeing the group of us, the good carrier and his lads leapt down and rushed on my assailants.

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading The visions of my dazed brain were transmutations of reality; the scuffle, the rush, the retreat were not all dream.

move gently or carefully

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

a boy or man

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading Seeing the group of us, the good carrier and his lads leapt down and rushed on my assailants.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

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

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

possessive form of “heaven” — any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

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

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

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

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

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

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

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

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

past form of “hustle” — cause to move furtively and hurriedly

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

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

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

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

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

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

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

plural of “lad” — a boy or man

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

set down according to a plan

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

inflected form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Seeing the group of us, the good carrier and his lads leapt down and rushed on my assailants.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

the trade of cutting or preparing or selling timber

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

-ing form of “meditate” — reflect deeply on a subject

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

a particular point in time

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

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

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

characteristic of or capable of or having a tendency toward killing another human being

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

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

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

plural of “oath” — profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Seeing the group of us, the good carrier and his lads leapt down and rushed on my assailants.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

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

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading The visions of my dazed brain were transmutations of reality; the scuffle, the rush, the retreat were not all dream.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading The visions of my dazed brain were transmutations of reality; the scuffle, the rush, the retreat were not all dream.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

English leader (born in Germany) of the Royalist forces during the English Civil War (1619-1682)

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

move hurridly

From this reading The visions of my dazed brain were transmutations of reality; the scuffle, the rush, the retreat were not all dream.

done under pressure

From this reading Seeing the group of us, the good carrier and his lads leapt down and rushed on my assailants.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

disorderly fighting

From this reading The visions of my dazed brain were transmutations of reality; the scuffle, the rush, the retreat were not all dream.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading Seeing the group of us, the good carrier and his lads leapt down and rushed on my assailants.

have in common

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

be standing; be upright

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

dependable

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

bound by or as if by an oath

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

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

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

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

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

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

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

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

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

in the direction of

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

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

From this reading The visions of my dazed brain were transmutations of reality; the scuffle, the rush, the retreat were not all dream.

something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading By Heaven’s care, or--since a man may be over-apt to arrogate to himself great share of such attention--by good luck, I had not to trust for my life to the slender thread of an oath sworn by Rupert of Hentzau.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Seeing the group of us, the good carrier and his lads leapt down and rushed on my assailants.

plural of “vision” — a vivid mental image

From this reading The visions of my dazed brain were transmutations of reality; the scuffle, the rush, the retreat were not all dream.

any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

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

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

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

From this reading The visions of my dazed brain were transmutations of reality; the scuffle, the rush, the retreat were not all dream.

at the time that

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

which person or people

From this reading One of the thieves, they said, was for fighting it out--I could guess who that was--and called on the rest to stand; but they, more prudent, laid hands on him, and, in spite of his oaths, hustled him off along the road towards the station.

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

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There is an honest fellow now living in Wintenberg comfortably and at his ease by reason that his wagon chanced to come lumbering along with three or four stout lads in it at the moment when Rupert was meditating a second and murderous blow.