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 So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And he was not watching her very closely, and the gun was not pointing at her as she naturally supposed it would be, from what he said.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And he was not watching her very closely, and the gun was not pointing at her as she naturally supposed it would be, from what he said.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
awhile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
brush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V very carefully turned in her heel, and watched her chance, and gave Jake a kick in the ribs.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V very carefully turned in her heel, and watched her chance, and gave Jake a kick in the ribs.
climb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
closely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And he was not watching her very closely, and the gun was not pointing at her as she naturally supposed it would be, from what he said.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
detestable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept down in hollows, and mostly they had to go single file, with the boy in front and the detestable one behind.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept down in hollows, and mostly they had to go single file, with the boy in front and the detestable one behind.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
fat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
fence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
file
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept down in hollows, and mostly they had to go single file, with the boy in front and the detestable one behind.
flies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept down in hollows, and mostly they had to go single file, with the boy in front and the detestable one behind.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V very carefully turned in her heel, and watched her chance, and gave Jake a kick in the ribs.
gnats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept down in hollows, and mostly they had to go single file, with the boy in front and the detestable one behind.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
gun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And he was not watching her very closely, and the gun was not pointing at her as she naturally supposed it would be, from what he said.
heel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V very carefully turned in her heel, and watched her chance, and gave Jake a kick in the ribs.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
hollows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept down in hollows, and mostly they had to go single file, with the boy in front and the detestable one behind.
horrid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They kept down in hollows, and mostly they had to go single file, with the boy in front and the detestable one behind.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And he was not watching her very closely, and the gun was not pointing at her as she naturally supposed it would be, from what he said.
Jake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V very carefully turned in her heel, and watched her chance, and gave Jake a kick in the ribs.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
kick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V very carefully turned in her heel, and watched her chance, and gave Jake a kick in the ribs.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
mostly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept down in hollows, and mostly they had to go single file, with the boy in front and the detestable one behind.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And he was not watching her very closely, and the gun was not pointing at her as she naturally supposed it would be, from what he said.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
pestering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
picking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
pointing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And he was not watching her very closely, and the gun was not pointing at her as she naturally supposed it would be, from what he said.
ribs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V very carefully turned in her heel, and watched her chance, and gave Jake a kick in the ribs.
ridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
rode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept down in hollows, and mostly they had to go single file, with the boy in front and the detestable one behind.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And he was not watching her very closely, and the gun was not pointing at her as she naturally supposed it would be, from what he said.
swarm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
tie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V very carefully turned in her heel, and watched her chance, and gave Jake a kick in the ribs.
V
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And he was not watching her very closely, and the gun was not pointing at her as she naturally supposed it would be, from what he said.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Mary V very carefully turned in her heel, and watched her chance, and gave Jake a kick in the ribs.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And he was not watching her very closely, and the gun was not pointing at her as she naturally supposed it would be, from what he said.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading And he was not watching her very closely, and the gun was not pointing at her as she naturally supposed it would be, from what he said.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading But after awhile they had to climb over a ridge, and the horses were picking their own way, and the horrid one got off to one side, where Mary V could see him out of the corner of her eye.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading So Mary V had gone back with them toward the line fence, because the fat one rode behind her with a gun and the boy had a gun, too, and they said they would not tie her hands if she would be good, because there was a swarm of gnats and little flies that kept pestering so, and she had to brush them away from her face.
