Chapter II

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

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

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

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

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

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

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

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

lacking funds

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

a cruelly rapacious person

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

to strive with determination

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

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

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

plural of “crack” — a long narrow opening

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

fall or come down violently

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

run or move very quickly or hastily

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

having gaps or spaces

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

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

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

a wide scope

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

having lost your job

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

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

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

based on pretense; deceptively pleasing

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

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

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

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

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

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

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

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

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

the place where two or more things come together

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

and nothing more

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

a tributary of the Ohio River in West Virginia

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

immediately past

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

in a slow and lazy manner

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

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

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

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

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

impressive in appearance

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

above and across; more than

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

plural of “peak” — the most extreme possible amount or value

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

having a hole cut through

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

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

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

steal goods; take as spoils

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

(histology) the use of a dye to color specimens for microscopic study

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

(poetic) tranquil silence

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

grievously affected especially by disease

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

a step in walking or running

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

in a confused mass

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

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

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

a dense growth of bushes

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

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

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

an old word for “to”

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

directed up

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

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

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.

impaired by diminution

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

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

From this reading The reports re-echoed over the broad expanse of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, for the shots were fired near the junction of the two streams--fired so nearly at the same time that the two seemed almost like one report.

belonging to which person

From this reading The buck gained the center of the glade, then his stride weakened; the dash through the thicket was the last despairing effort of the poor brute to escape from the invisible foes whose death-dealing balls had pierced his side.

(politics) a state of disfavor

From this reading Two rifle-“cracks” broke the stillness of the wilderness, that stretched in one almost unbroken line from the Alleghany and Blue Ridge peaks to the Ohio river.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Then, before the smoke of the rifles had curled lazily upward in spiral rings on the air, came a crash in the tangled underbrush, and forth into a little open glade--the work of Nature’s master hand--dashed a noble buck.

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading The red stream bursting from a wound just behind the shoulder and staining crimson the glossy brown coat of the forest lord, told plainly that he was stricken unto death.