used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
how long something has existed
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
ages-old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
at or in the front
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
(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 suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But, in spite of his sound reasoning, the worried lad could not imagine what had become of his chum.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
Charley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
chumnounUS /tʃʌm/
a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading But, in spite of his sound reasoning, the worried lad could not imagine what had become of his chum.
chum's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But, in spite of his sound reasoning, the worried lad could not imagine what had become of his chum.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
disappearancenounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
one or the other of two
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
depressingly dark
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
grewsome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But, in spite of his sound reasoning, the worried lad could not imagine what had become of his chum.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
not accessible to view
From this reading THE HIDDEN VOICE.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading But, in spite of his sound reasoning, the worried lad could not imagine what had become of his chum.
imaginings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
a boy or man
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
logicnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪk/
the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
mankindnounUS /ˈmænˈkaɪnd/
all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
the force of workers available
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
used to form the superlative
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
of an obscure nature
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
not any; not one
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But, in spite of his sound reasoning, the worried lad could not imagine what had become of his chum.
occupantsnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənts/
plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
orangenounUS /ˈɔːrəndʒ/
round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
poniesnounUS /ˈpoʊniz/
plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
reasoningnounUS /ˈriːzənɪŋ/
thinking that is coherent and logical
From this reading But, in spite of his sound reasoning, the worried lad could not imagine what had become of his chum.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading But, in spite of his sound reasoning, the worried lad could not imagine what had become of his chum.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading But, in spite of his sound reasoning, the worried lad could not imagine what had become of his chum.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
stockadenounUS /ˈstɑːkeɪd/
fortification consisting of a fence made of a line of stout posts set firmly for defense
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
suddennessnounUS /ˈsʌdənnəs/
the quality of happening with headlong haste or without warning
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
suspiciousadjectiveUS /səˈspɪʃəs/
openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HIDDEN VOICE.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading THE HIDDEN VOICE.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But, in spite of his sound reasoning, the worried lad could not imagine what had become of his chum.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading FOR a few minutes Charley was almost a prey to vague, suspicious fears, which lie hidden deep in most of mankind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
worriedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrid/
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading But, in spite of his sound reasoning, the worried lad could not imagine what had become of his chum.
but in spite of that
From this reading He was not in the stockade; he was not in either clearing; he was not among the orange trees; he was not back with the ponies, yet he had passed out of the fort not five minutes ahead of himself, but at this point in his reasoning Charley gave a start.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading The suddenness of his chum's disappearance, the ages-old stockade, the ancient fort, with its grewsome occupants, all gave force to weird imaginings; but, with an effort, the practical lad shook off his gloomy thoughts with the simple logic that age is no more mysterious than youth, and that dead men are less to be feared than live ones.
