Chapter XV

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

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

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

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

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

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

-ing form of “bail” — release after a security has been paid

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

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

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

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

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

shining intensely

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

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

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading It was a place well calculated to bring up thoughts of death, but Wunpost faced the coming day calmly.

any very large body of (salt) water

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

in a brisk manner

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

placed in a grave

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was a place well calculated to bring up thoughts of death, but Wunpost faced the coming day calmly.

carefully thought out in advance

From this reading It was a place well calculated to bring up thoughts of death, but Wunpost faced the coming day calmly.

with self-possession (especially in times of stress)

From this reading It was a place well calculated to bring up thoughts of death, but Wunpost faced the coming day calmly.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading It was a place well calculated to bring up thoughts of death, but Wunpost faced the coming day calmly.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

travel across or pass over

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

traveling across

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

the first light of day

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was a place well calculated to bring up thoughts of death, but Wunpost faced the coming day calmly.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading It was a place well calculated to bring up thoughts of death, but Wunpost faced the coming day calmly.

comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

plural of “emigrant” — someone who leaves one country to settle in another

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

divisible by two

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading It was a place well calculated to bring up thoughts of death, but Wunpost faced the coming day calmly.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

the period of greatest prosperity or productivity

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

set up or found

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

plural of “gas” — the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

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

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

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

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

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

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

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

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

ten 10s

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

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

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a place well calculated to bring up thoughts of death, but Wunpost faced the coming day calmly.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

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

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

engage in

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

plural of “marsh” — low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

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

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

send out rays or waves

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

manifest or bring back

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

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

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

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

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

be noisy with activity

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

cover or stain with slime

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

not in physical motion

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

very bad

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

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

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading It was a place well calculated to bring up thoughts of death, but Wunpost faced the coming day calmly.

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

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

unbearable physical pain

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading It was a place well calculated to bring up thoughts of death, but Wunpost faced the coming day calmly.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

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

From this reading It was a place well calculated to bring up thoughts of death, but Wunpost faced the coming day calmly.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading It was a place well calculated to bring up thoughts of death, but Wunpost faced the coming day calmly.

at the time that

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

in or at the place that

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

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

From this reading Wunpost knew it well, the long-enduring agony which would be his lot that day; but he moved about briskly, bailing the slime from the well and sinking it deeper into the sand.

a Caucasian

From this reading The white borax-flats would reflect a blinding light, the briny marshes would seethe in the sun; and every rock, every sand-dune, would radiate more heat to add to the flame in the sky.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.

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

From this reading WUNPOST TAKES THEM ALL ON The morning found Wunpost at Salt Creek Crossing, where the bones of a hundred emigrants lie buried in the sand without even a cross to mark their resting place.

but in spite of that

From this reading At the first flush of dawn the sand was still hot from the sun of the evening before; the low air seemed to suffocate him with its below-sea-level pressure, and the salt marshes to give off stinking gases; it was a hell-hole, even then, and the day was yet to come, when the Valley would make life a torment.