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The man-killers
The man-killers

Chapter XIX

Cover illustration for The man-killers
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.
No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.
The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.
A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.
Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.
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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 man-killers

Chapter XIX

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.
Line 2
No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.
Line 3
The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.
Line 4
A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.
Line 5
Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.”

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.”

All words in this reading · 83

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 APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

all

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

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

APACHES

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

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

away

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

Bassett

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

battalions

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

From this reading No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.

battle

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.

bloodshed

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

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.

brother

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

From this reading Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

cannot

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

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

Death

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

From this reading No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.

declined

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

From this reading Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.

down

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.

fast

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

fight

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

From this reading Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.

finest

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

four

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

give

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

hand

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

From this reading No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.

held

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

Henry

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

holds

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

From this reading No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.

Indian

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.

killed

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

level

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

From this reading No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.

losses

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

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

matter

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

From this reading No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.

men

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

now

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

offered

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

old

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.

posse

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

Red

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

refused

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

ridden

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

rifle-shot

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.

risen

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

scales

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

Scarboroughs

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

Sharps

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

shot

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

side

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

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

snatched

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

strongest

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

From this reading No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.

stronghold

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

tactics

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

then

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

There

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

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

turned

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

up

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

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

violence

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

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

war

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

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading A posse of four men had ridden into their stronghold and offered to give them battle; and then, when they had refused and held fast to Indian tactics, Death had risen up and snatched away Red.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading No matter which side is right, or which has the strongest battalions, Death holds a level hand.

Winchester

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

From this reading The Scarboroughs had killed Sharps and old Henry Bassett; but now the scales had turned and Red, their finest rifle-shot, had been shot down by Winchester Bassett.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading APACHES There cannot be a war without violence and bloodshed, nor can all the losses be on one side.

YetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet even with the body of their brother before them the Scarboroughs declined to fight.