Chapter XIII

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

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

a feeling of delighted approval and liking

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

later than; following

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

past form of “aim” — point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

projectiles to be fired from a gun

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

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

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

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

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

graceful Old World ruminant with long legs and horns directed upward and backward; includes gazelles; springboks; impalas; addax; gerenuks; blackbucks; dik-diks

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

characterized by intense emotion

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

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

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

characterized by great swelling waves or surges

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading A little later they stumbled upon a village of prairie dogs, the first either of the boys had ever set eyes on.

the act of breaking something

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

lacking funds

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

a hole made by an animal, usually for shelter

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

plural of “burrow” — a hole made by an animal, usually for shelter

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

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

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

someone who is a detective

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

the act of discovering something

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading A little later they stumbled upon a village of prairie dogs, the first either of the boys had ever set eyes on.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

one or the other of two

From this reading A little later they stumbled upon a village of prairie dogs, the first either of the boys had ever set eyes on.

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

at any time

From this reading A little later they stumbled upon a village of prairie dogs, the first either of the boys had ever set eyes on.

opinion or judgment

From this reading A little later they stumbled upon a village of prairie dogs, the first either of the boys had ever set eyes on.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading A little later they stumbled upon a village of prairie dogs, the first either of the boys had ever set eyes on.

devoid of good sense or judgment

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

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

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

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

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

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

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

only a very short time before

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

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

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

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

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

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

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

plural of “intruder” — someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading A little later they stumbled upon a village of prairie dogs, the first either of the boys had ever set eyes on.

a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

plural of “nose” — the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

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

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

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

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

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

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

a large number or amount

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A little later they stumbled upon a village of prairie dogs, the first either of the boys had ever set eyes on.

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 In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

occupy a large, elongated area

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily

From this reading A little later they stumbled upon a village of prairie dogs, the first either of the boys had ever set eyes on.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

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

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

in or at that place or location

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

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

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

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

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading In fact, the first sign they had of the settlement was when one of the horses broke through into a burrow, and came near throwing its rider, or breaking a leg.

push forcefully

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

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

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A little later they stumbled upon a village of prairie dogs, the first either of the boys had ever set eyes on.

get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading A little later they stumbled upon a village of prairie dogs, the first either of the boys had ever set eyes on.

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

From this reading ON THE BILLOWY PRAIRIE DURING this day there was hardly a stretch of half an hour but Dick and Roger made some new and interesting discovery.

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

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

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

at the time that

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

in or at the place that

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

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

From this reading Then there was a great clatter as scores of the queer little fellows started to bark, and then vanish inside their burrows, from which they later cautiously thrust their noses, curious to see what these strange intruders were like.

during the time that

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Now it was a little herd of antelope that, scenting the presence of human enemies on the wind, sprang from the grass where they had been lying, and went off with graceful bounds that awoke the ardent admiration of Dick, while Roger aimed his gun after them, though he was not foolish enough to waste precious ammunition when his good sense told him he had not a ghost of a show to bring the game down.