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The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River
The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River is here in full — 173 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.
"Now, boys, take it easy--take it easy!
I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.
If you don't mind I think I'll park here for the time bein'."
And he dismounted and came closer.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River is here in full — 173 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.
/ðə ˈhɪdən ˈɡʌnmən huː wɑːnts tuː noʊ ðə kɪd æskt ˈsterɪŋ hɑːrd æt ðə ˈmaʊntəd ˈvɪzɪtər hɪz hænd fɜːrm ɑːn ðə bʌt ʌv hɪz ɡʌn/
Line 2
"Now, boys, take it easy--take it easy!
Line 3
I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.
Line 4
If you don't mind I think I'll park here for the time bein'."
Line 5
And he dismounted and came closer.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

butt verb US /bʌt/

lie adjacent to another or share a boundary

From this reading “THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.”

closer adverb US /ˈkloʊsər/

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading “And he dismounted and came closer.”

gunman noun US /ˈɡʌnmən/

a professional killer who uses a gun

From this reading “THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.”

Kid verb US /kɪd/

tell false information to for fun

From this reading “THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.”

mounted adjective US /ˈmaʊntəd/

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading “THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.”

park noun US /pɑːrk/

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading “If you don't mind I think I'll park here for the time bein'."”

staring adjective US /ˈsterɪŋ/

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading “THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.”

visitor noun US /ˈvɪzɪtər/

someone who visits

From this reading “THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

came closer verb + particle counted as “come closer”

In this reading “And he dismounted and came closer.”

butt of verb + particle

In this reading “THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.”

All words in this reading · 55

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And he dismounted and came closer.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

bein

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

From this reading If you don't mind I think I'll park here for the time bein'."

boysnounUS /bɔɪz/

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading "Now, boys, take it easy--take it easy!

buttverbUS /bʌt/

lie adjacent to another or share a boundary

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading And he dismounted and came closer.

chancenounUS /tʃæns/

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

closeradverbUS /ˈkloʊsər/

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading And he dismounted and came closer.

dismounted

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

From this reading And he dismounted and came closer.

don't

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

From this reading If you don't mind I think I'll park here for the time bein'."

easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading "Now, boys, take it easy--take it easy!

explainverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪn/

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

firmadjectiveUS /fɜːrm/

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

giveverbUS /ɡɪv/

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

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

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

gunnounUS /ɡʌn/

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

GUNMANnounUS /ˈɡʌnmən/

a professional killer who uses a gun

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading And he dismounted and came closer.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading If you don't mind I think I'll park here for the time bein'."

HIDDENadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdən/

not accessible to view

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading If you don't mind I think I'll park here for the time bein'."

I'll

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

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

I've

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

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Now, boys, take it easy--take it easy!

KidverbUS /kɪd/

tell false information to for fun

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading If you don't mind I think I'll park here for the time bein'."

mountedadjectiveUS /ˈmaʊntəd/

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

NowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading "Now, boys, take it easy--take it easy!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

parknounUS /pɑːrk/

a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property

From this reading If you don't mind I think I'll park here for the time bein'."

reason's

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

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

staringadjectiveUS /ˈsterɪŋ/

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading "Now, boys, take it easy--take it easy!

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading If you don't mind I think I'll park here for the time bein'."

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading If you don't mind I think I'll park here for the time bein'."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

visitornounUS /ˈvɪzɪtər/

someone who visits

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

wantin

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

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

wantsnounUS /wɑːnts/

plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

WhopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading THE HIDDEN GUNMAN "Who wants to know?" the Kid asked, staring hard at the mounted visitor, his hand firm on the butt of his gun.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I've got good reason's for wantin' to know, which same I'll explain if you give me a chance.

Chapter 4 of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River by Willard F. Baker holds 173 sentences, grouped into 35 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 4 of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River contain?

Chapter 4 holds 173 sentences of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River by Willard F. Baker exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 173 sentences, grouped into 35 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 4 of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River

Common questions about reading The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River by Willard F. Baker on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River?

Yes. All 4645 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #27096 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #27096, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River take to read?

About 387 minutes of reading across 929 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River section by section

How to work through The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 25 chapters of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Diamond
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chinese
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Smugglers
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ranchers
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.