Chapter II

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

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

(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 A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

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

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

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

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

cry or whine with snuffling

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

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

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

past form of “convert” — change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

the act of discovering something

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

a movement into or inward

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

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

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

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

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

past form of “found” — set up or found

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

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

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

past form of “frequent” — do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

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

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

cause to stop

From this reading THE NIGHT HALT.

dependent upon or characterized by chance

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

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

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

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

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

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

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

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

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

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

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

United States poet (1869-1950)

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading THE NIGHT HALT.

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

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

and nothing more

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

the largest ocean in the world

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

an amount of time

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

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

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

plural of “plank” — a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

possessing material wealth

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

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

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

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

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

the shore of a sea or ocean regarded as a resort

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

for a short time

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

the natives or inhabitants of Switzerland

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

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

From this reading THE NIGHT HALT.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

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

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

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 An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

not known

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

precisely as stated

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

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

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

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

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.

plural of “whaler” — a seaman who works on a ship that hunts whales

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

plural of “whale” — a very large person; impressive in size or qualities

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

at the time that

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

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

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

which person or people

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading Before the discovery of the rich placers in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, California was completely wild and almost unknown.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A few Flat-head Indians wandered haphazard through the vast forests that covered the seaboard; and in this country, which trade has now seized on, and which is entering, with all sail set, into the movement of progress, wild beasts lorded it as masters.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The port of San Francisco, the finest and largest in the world, destined to become very shortly the commercial _entrepôt_ of the Pacific, was at that time only frequented by whalers, who, at the period when the whales retire to the shallow water, came to fish there, cut them up, and melt down their blubber.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading An old officer of Charles X.'s Swiss Guard had founded a poor colony on the territory of San Francisco, and cut down trees, which he converted into planks by the aid of a few watermills.