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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
attempt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
band
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
bloody
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
branded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
broke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
brush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
bunch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
burned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
burning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
caught
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From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
cañon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
Circle-Double-cross
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From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
clean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
country
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From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
cowboys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
cows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
dirt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
dividednounUS /ˈdivided/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
drag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
drifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
ear-marked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
fork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
fresher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
freshly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
goods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
hair-brand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
herd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
horse-tracks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The horse-tracks still led on until at last they scattered out and mounted the neighboring ridges.
horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
LAW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The horse-tracks still led on until at last they scattered out and mounted the neighboring ridges.
loiteringverbUS /ˈlɔɪtərɪŋ/
standing or moving slowly without a clear purpose
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
MOUNTAIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
mounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The horse-tracks still led on until at last they scattered out and mounted the neighboring ridges.
mutilatedadjectiveUS /ˈmjuːtəleɪtɪd/
badly damaged or missing part of the body
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
neighboring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The horse-tracks still led on until at last they scattered out and mounted the neighboring ridges.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The horse-tracks still led on until at last they scattered out and mounted the neighboring ridges.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
ontoprepositionUS /ˈɑːntuː/
moving to a position on a surface
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
picked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
posse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
range
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
remnant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
ridges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The horse-tracks still led on until at last they scattered out and mounted the neighboring ridges.
rocky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
rough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
sack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
scattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The horse-tracks still led on until at last they scattered out and mounted the neighboring ridges.
sheriff's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
slope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
split
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
spurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The horse-tracks still led on until at last they scattered out and mounted the neighboring ridges.
stray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
tired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
torn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
tracks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
trail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
trampled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
water-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
wearily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then they picked up a stray, burned clean into a Circle-Double-cross and freshly ear-marked, and after that the remnant of the band, standing wearily by a water-hole.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Every one of them had been freshly branded with a hot iron—no hair-brand or attempt at burning through a sack—and half of their ears were bloody from being torn in the brush; but there were no cowboys loitering near, waiting to be caught with the goods.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But as the herd made its way into the broken ground the heavy trail split up and divided; at each fork of the cañon a bunch was cut off from the drag of the herd and drifted by a hand or two down onto the lower range, and when at last the trail broke out into the open country again the posse was following the tracks of only three men and twenty or thirty cows.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading MOUNTAIN LAW As the sheriff's posse spurred their tired horses up the long slope of the rocky mountain and down into the rough country beyond, the trail grew fresher with every hour, until the blood from mutilated ears showed wet in the trampled dirt.
