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Across Texas
Across Texas

Chapter VIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/14 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BELL RICKARD.
NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Across Texas

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/14 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BELL RICKARD.
Line 2
NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.
Line 3
He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.
Line 4
When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.
Line 5
A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

Learner Dictionary

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

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.”

All words in this reading · 90

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

able

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

act

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

BELL

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

From this reading BELL RICKARD.

border

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

business

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

called

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

captive

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

caught

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

character

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

deal

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

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

discovered

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

doubt

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

drop

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

enough

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

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

figure

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

getting

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

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

hardly

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

Herbert

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

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

horse

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

horses

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

information

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

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

Lone

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

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

made

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

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

man

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

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

native

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

NICK

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

off

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

ordered

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

others

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

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

out

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

own

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

pick

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

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

RIBSAM

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

RICKARD

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

From this reading BELL RICKARD.

riding

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

rough

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

secure

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

shrewdness

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

situation

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

Star

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

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

startling

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

State

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

From this reading He and Herbert had been in the Lone Star State long enough to pick up a good deal of information.

stranger

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

suit

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

there

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

thief

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

throw

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

up

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

used

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

From this reading A man who is used to getting the drop on others is quite sure to know when that little point is made on him.

waited

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

wish

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

words

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

From this reading When he discovered the stranger among the horses, there could be hardly a doubt of his business, but he waited till he was in the act of riding off with his own horse before he called out the startling words which told the thief he was caught.

youth

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

From this reading NICK RIBSAM had no wish to figure as a rough border character, who ordered his captive to “throw up his hands,” when able to secure “the drop on him”; but the youth had the native shrewdness to suit himself to the situation.