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The Hidden Children
The Hidden Children

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for The Hidden Children
Context Illustration Reading 1/75 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.
The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.
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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 Hidden Children

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/75 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
Line 2
But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
Line 3
As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
Line 4
And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.
Line 5
The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.”

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.”

Anybody pronoun US /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading “THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.”

Audacity noun US /ɑːˈdæs.ə.t̬i/

A willingness to take bold risks; insolent and daring boldness that defies all authority.

From this reading “THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.”

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.”

Choking adjective US /ˈtʃoʊ.kɪŋ/

Causing difficulty in breathing.

From this reading “As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.”

Discharged verb US /dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒd/

released from a duty or job

From this reading “But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.”

Partly noun US /partly/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.”

Running noun US /ˈrunning/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.”

Smoking noun US /ˈsmoking/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.”

All words in this reading · 116

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 The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

audacitynounUS /ɑːˈdæs.ə.t̬i/

A willingness to take bold risks; insolent and daring boldness that defies all authority.

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

ball

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

From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.

bank

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

From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.

beating

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

From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

blow

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

blowing

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

bound

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

From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.

bounded

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

From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.

breathless

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

buckle

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

CHILDREN

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

chokingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃoʊ.kɪŋ/

Causing difficulty in breathing.

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

comprehended

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

crash

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

deer

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

devilish

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

dischargedverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒd/

released from a duty or job

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

driven

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

Erie

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

face

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

feet

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

From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.

fire

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

fired

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

flat

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

fragments

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

frantic

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

fringes

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

From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.

full

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

happened

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

head

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

HIDDEN

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

incredible

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

knees

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

From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.

knocked

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

lay

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

leaped

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

like

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

man

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

moss

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

muzzle

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

old

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.

out

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

From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

partly

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

pouch

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

pouch-flap

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

powder

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

racing

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

ran

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

From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.

ribs

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

rifle

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

ringing

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

river

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

runningnounUS /ˈrunning/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

sand

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

From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.

scorching

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

setting

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

shoved

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

silently

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

slipping

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

smoke

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.

smooth-bore

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

speed

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

staggered

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

From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.

stunned

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

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

swayed

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

From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.

swiftness

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

swivel

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

thrums

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.

trade-rifle

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

unprepared

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

utterly

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

violently

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

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.