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Wyoming
Wyoming

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for Wyoming
Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.
Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.
Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.
The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.
Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.
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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.

Wyoming

Chapter XX

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.
Line 2
Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.
Line 3
Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.
Line 4
The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.
Line 5
Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

Learner Dictionary

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

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.”

Exchanged noun US /ˈexchanged/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.”

Peering verb US /ˈpɪrɪŋ/

looking closely or carefully

From this reading “Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.”

Relieved noun US /ˈrelieved/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.”

Support verb US /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading “Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.”

All words in this reading · 94

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 suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

bottom

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

Brainerd

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

catch

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

caused

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

certain

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

crouching

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

dense

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

detect

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

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

down

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

draw

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

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

dreaded

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

dropped

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

ear

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

end

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

EvennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

exchangednounUS /ˈexchanged/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

fact

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

fail

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

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

faintest

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

fancied

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

father

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

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

feet

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

figure

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

Fred

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

Godfrey

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

going

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

hand

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

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

heavy

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

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

holding

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

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

jarred

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

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

just

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

leaned

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

lightly

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

lower

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

manifestly

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

moment

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

near

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

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

painful

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

peeringverbUS /ˈpɪrɪŋ/

looking closely or carefully

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

possible

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

reached

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

reaching

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

relievednounUS /ˈrelieved/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

saw

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

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

Senecas

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

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

some

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

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

sounds

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

steady

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

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

strained

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

supportverbUS /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

suspense

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

thump

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

From this reading Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow, fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the end of his support was reached.

up

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

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

vine

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

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

weight

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

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

whisper

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

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

why

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

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear was strained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemed certain to come.

youngest

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

From this reading Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.