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The Wheel O' Fortune
The Wheel O' Fortune

Chapter XVIII

Cover illustration for The Wheel O' Fortune
Context Illustration Reading 1/61 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.
Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.
He had heard much of the fighting qualities of the Hadendowas.
They were brave, but they were not given to throwing their lives away uselessly.
Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.
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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 Wheel O' Fortune

Chapter XVIII

Reading 1/61 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.
Line 2
Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.
Line 3
He had heard much of the fighting qualities of the Hadendowas.
Line 4
They were brave, but they were not given to throwing their lives away uselessly.
Line 5
Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.

Learner Dictionary

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

Ere conjunction US /er/

an old word for “before”

From this reading “Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.”

Folly noun US /ˈfɑːli/

an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment

From this reading “THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

adopted

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

all-important

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

attack

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

away

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

From this reading They were brave, but they were not given to throwing their lives away uselessly.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

became

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

blindly

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

brave

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

From this reading They were brave, but they were not given to throwing their lives away uselessly.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They were brave, but they were not given to throwing their lives away uselessly.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

companions

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

contingent

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

From this reading Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.

crackling

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

From this reading Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.

dashing

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

desperate

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

direction

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

eating

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

From this reading Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.

ereconjunctionUS /er/

an old word for “before”

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

erstwhile

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

fighting

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

From this reading He had heard much of the fighting qualities of the Hadendowas.

FINDING

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

follynounUS /ˈfɑːli/

an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

force

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

fray

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

given

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

From this reading They were brave, but they were not given to throwing their lives away uselessly.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had heard much of the fighting qualities of the Hadendowas.

Hadendowas

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

From this reading He had heard much of the fighting qualities of the Hadendowas.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

heard

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

From this reading He had heard much of the fighting qualities of the Hadendowas.

hidden

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

instinct

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

Judging

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

From this reading Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.

Kerber

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

known

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

learn

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.

lengthening

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

lives

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

From this reading They were brave, but they were not given to throwing their lives away uselessly.

manner

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

means

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

much

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

From this reading He had heard much of the fighting qualities of the Hadendowas.

musketry

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

From this reading Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

nature

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

plight

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

possible

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

From this reading Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.

presence

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

qualities

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

From this reading He had heard much of the fighting qualities of the Hadendowas.

ran

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

realized

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

relieving

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

repelling

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

risk

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

From this reading Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.

Royson

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

shadows

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

smaller

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

From this reading Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.

soldier

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

steady

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

From this reading Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They were brave, but they were not given to throwing their lives away uselessly.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They were brave, but they were not given to throwing their lives away uselessly.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

throwing

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

From this reading They were brave, but they were not given to throwing their lives away uselessly.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading They were brave, but they were not given to throwing their lives away uselessly.

training

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

TREASURE

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

up

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

From this reading Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.

uselessly

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

From this reading They were brave, but they were not given to throwing their lives away uselessly.

von

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

warned

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

From this reading Though the plight of his erstwhile companions must be desperate--though the lengthening shadows warned him that the time ran short--it was all-important that he should learn the manner and direction of the attack, and the means adopted by von Kerber for repelling it, ere the presence of the relieving force became known.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were brave, but they were not given to throwing their lives away uselessly.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE Royson, a soldier by instinct if not by training, realized the folly of dashing blindly into a fray the nature of which was hidden from him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Judging by the steady crackling of musketry, they were "eating up" the smaller contingent with the least possible risk to themselves.