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 He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
advice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
ahead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
allowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
apart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every reason bade him to cut entirely apart from that portion of the company.
Arapahoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
bade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every reason bade him to cut entirely apart from that portion of the company.
Banion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
Bannacks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
Blackfeet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
BROKENnounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
caravan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every reason bade him to cut entirely apart from that portion of the company.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
Crows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every reason bade him to cut entirely apart from that portion of the company.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
ear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
east
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Every reason bade him to cut entirely apart from that portion of the company.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every reason bade him to cut entirely apart from that portion of the company.
exhaustion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two things troubled him: The possibility of grass exhaustion near the trail and the menace of the Indians.
existed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
Fort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Every reason bade him to cut entirely apart from that portion of the company.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two things troubled him: The possibility of grass exhaustion near the trail and the menace of the Indians.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
harass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Every reason bade him to cut entirely apart from that portion of the company.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
hunting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
Indians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two things troubled him: The possibility of grass exhaustion near the trail and the menace of the Indians.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
Laramie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
main
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
maps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
menace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two things troubled him: The possibility of grass exhaustion near the trail and the menace of the Indians.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two things troubled him: The possibility of grass exhaustion near the trail and the menace of the Indians.
normal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
north
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Every reason bade him to cut entirely apart from that portion of the company.
old-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
Pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
planning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
portion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every reason bade him to cut entirely apart from that portion of the company.
possibility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two things troubled him: The possibility of grass exhaustion near the trail and the menace of the Indians.
range
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every reason bade him to cut entirely apart from that portion of the company.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
Squaw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
studied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
Sweetwater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
talked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Every reason bade him to cut entirely apart from that portion of the company.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two things troubled him: The possibility of grass exhaustion near the trail and the menace of the Indians.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Every reason bade him to cut entirely apart from that portion of the company.
trail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two things troubled him: The possibility of grass exhaustion near the trail and the menace of the Indians.
trains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
troubled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two things troubled him: The possibility of grass exhaustion near the trail and the menace of the Indians.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
WEDDING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BROKEN WEDDING Banion allowed the main caravan two days' start before he moved beyond Fort Laramie.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squaw men in from the north and west said that the Arapahoes were hunting on the Sweetwater, and sure to make trouble; that the Blackfeet were planning war; that the Bannacks were east of the Pass; that even the Crows were far down below their normal range and certain to harass the trains.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He talked with every man he knew who had any knowledge of the country on ahead, read all he could find, studied such maps as then existed, and kept an open ear for advice of old-time men who in hard experience had learned how to get across a country.
