CHAPTER
Page # Word
Definition
Sentence
1
10
courting to engage in social activities
leading to engagement and
marriage
“That don’t sound much like
___, Jess.
1
10
carbine
a short-barreled lightweight
firearm originally used by
cavalry
Three men with ___started
toward them; the fourth held the
horses.
1
13
provost
an officer who supervises the
military police of a command
Each town had a ___marshal,
whose job was to find out who
the Secesh were.
1
14
ravine
a small narrow steep-sided
valley that is larger than a
gully and smaller than a
canyon and that is usually
worn by running water
As they reached the edge of the
woods the rain came down chill
and hard, chasing them up the
___ and onto the road.
CH
Pg Word
Definition
Sentence
1
9
haversack
a bag worn over one shoulder
used for carrying supplies or
personal belongings
He slung his ___ over his head and
under his arm, picked up his rabbits
and gun.
2
16 impudent
failing to show proper respect
and courtesy : very rude
He was born ___---those were Papa’s
words.
2
18 abolitionists
individuals fighting to abolish
(end) slavery
Instead, ___ paid Northerners to
move west; they came down the
Missouri River by the boatload,
pretending to settle in Kansas just to
swing the vote.
2
27 pummel
to repeatedly hit or punch
(someone or something) very
hard
Matt pulled him to the floor and
pretended to ___ him.
CH
Pg Word
Definition
Sentence
2
24 tariffs
tax levied upon goods by the
government
The North only wanted
power, Jesse told Matt, and
___---taking the South’s
money to run the North’s
cities.
2
24 paltry
having little meaning, importance, or
worth
The North, she said, had a
kind of slavery all its own:
putting thousands of
foreigners to work in filthy
mills for ___ pay.
2
25 plunder to steal things from (a place, such as a
city or town) especially by force
2
27 privy
When Jim Lane—U.s. Senator
Jim Lane—led the jayhawkers
to raid Osceola, it was murder
and ___ and liquor on their
minds.
a small outdoor building that is used as Matt took them to the ___;
then they brushed their teeth
a toilet
at the washstand in the lean-
CH
P
G
5
Word
Definition
Sentence
43 brandished
to wave or swing (something,
such as a weapon) in a
threatening or excited manner
Clay ___ the switch.
6
49 furrows
a long and narrow cut in the
ground
Matt followed him along the ___.
6
53 instigate
to cause (something) to happen
or begin
I was always having him to supper,
hoping to ___ something.
6
50 commenced to begin
Matt ___ hauling.
CH
P
G
Word
Definition
Sentence
3
30 peevishly feeling or showing irritation
5
37 solemnly
sad and serious
“Visitors, Ma,” Clayton said ___,
tilting his chin toward the window.
5
42 sniveling
to speak or act in a whining,
sniffling, tearful, or weakly
emotional manner
Now quit ___ and get on your
feet—Clays’ waiting.
6
55 whorled
a pattern that is made by a series of Matt pressed his knuckles to his
circles that turn around a center
mouth, holding his breath and
point
concentrating mightily on the __
wood of the table.
“Well, Clay, I know that, don’t I?”
Ma said ____.
CH PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
7
57
skittish
nervous or fearful about doing
something
Saturday was the second of May,
and he was still ___.
7
58
cordial
politely pleasant and friendly
Mrs. Samuel was ___ enough,
asking after Ma and the others.
7
61
brooded
to think a lot about something in an
unhappy way
All morning in the fields, Matt ___.
9
71 thicket
a group of bushes or small trees that In a blackjack ___, Matt stopped to
grow close together
roll his sleeves.
CH PG Word
Definition
Sentence
7
57
fretted
to become vexed or worried
As Aril drew to a close, Matt ___
about when to plant.
7
57
tousle
to make (someone's hair) untidy
She gave his hair a ___ and walked
away.
9
73
petty
relating to things that are not very
important or serious
Now all Matt’s anger seemed ___.
9
76
quavering to produce sound in an unsteady
way especially because you are
afraid or nervous
“Who is it?” she asked, voice ___.
CH PG Word
Definition
Sentence
10 79 countenance the appearance of a person's face
: a person's expression
Ma can’t ___ it, you folks—”
10 86 oppressor
someone who treats (a person or
group of people) in a cruel or
unfair way
He turned to face his ___--no man,
after all.
11 89 vengeance
the act of doing something to hurt Matt began to hoe with a ___.
someone because that person did
something that hurt you or
someone else
12 98 ornery
difficult to deal with or control
When they got ___, he had to
force himself to treat them right—
and to remember they were the
reason he had clothes.
CH
PG Word
Definition
10
77
obliged
to put in one's debt by a favor or service And much ___ to you, sir, for
letting me go on about it that
day.
10
81
peculiar
not usual or normal
10
87
nonchalant relaxed and calm in a way that shows
that you do not care or are not worried
about anything
He’ll turn up, Jesse had said,
___, but likely he was
thinking Buck could be dead.
11
92
loath
Though writing helps me feel
I am with you, and I am ___
to part, I want to be certain
to get this into today’s post.
not wanting or willing to do something
Sentence
It seemed ___, Jesse being a
prayerful boy, even though
he always had been.
CH PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
10 79
cognizant
aware of something
“I’m ___ of that,” Matt said
slowly.
13 113 pestiferous
carrying or propagating infection
“No, Mama, I don’t take to
such insults from ___
varmints,” Matt said solemnly.
14 128 ominous
suggesting that something bad is
going to happen in the future
“Jesse’s on the grapevine,
Matt,” Clayton said in an ___
tone.
15 135 prodigiously amazing or wonderful : very
impressive
“My ribs hurt ___, though.”
CH
PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
14
118 irrational
not thinking clearly : not able to Now, Carrie, don’t be ___, Pa
use reason or good judgment
sometimes said—and he’d say it now,
Matt knew.
14
121 resentful
having or showing a feeling of
anger or displeasure about
someone or something unfair
14
123 negotiate
to discuss something formally in It’s said Quantrill tried to ___ an
order to make an agreement
exchange of prisoners.
15
136 grudgingly said, done, or given in an
unwilling or doubtful way
Matt felt ___ again: Ben should not
be doing that work.
Then Jesse said ___, “Well, you’re
right.”
CH PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
16 140 melancholy a gloomy state of mind, especially when
habitual or prolonged; depression.
But the little toy made
Matt so ___ he had to look
away, and he stretched out
on the floor with his arm
for a pillow.
16 140 apothecary a druggist; a pharmacist.
“Assistant for ___ store.”
16 140 revolting
disgusting; repulsive.
There was an ___ notion.
17 153 irate
angry; enraged.
“Matt’s getting ___,” Jesse
announced.
CH
PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
16
137
parcels an object, article, container, or quantity of As Ma pulled ___ from the
something wrapped or packed up; small
box, she tossed aside the
package; bundle.
newspaper packing.
16
144
blotter a piece of blotting paper used to absorb
excess ink, to protect a desk top, etc.
“Dang,” he said, and Betsy
slid a ___ across the table.
17
149
parley
a discussion or conference.
To Ben, she said in a deep
voice, “They’re having a
serious ___,” and the two
laughed and trotted ahead.
17
152
roving
roaming or wandering. not assigned to
any particular post but having a special
mission.
“Ben wants to hear that song
of Buck’s, the one they sing
like ‘___ Gambler.’”
CH PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
19 173 billowing to bulge or swell out (as thorough
action of the wind).
Mrs. Stone flew down the hill,
ghostlike, nightgown ___, gray hair
streaming.
20 181 natty
very neat and clean.
He wore a ___ blue uniform, shiny
black cavalry boots, and a saber on
his belt.
21 192 desolate
lacking the people, plants, animals,
etc., that make people feel
welcome in a place.
And how long before he and Jesse
would be packed off with guerrilla
shirts to drive the Northern army
into a barren and ___ land?
21 194 morbid
relating to unpleasant subjects
(such as death).
“I’m finding that ___.”
CH
PG
19
Word
Definition
Sentence
174 hearth
a brick, stone, or concrete area in
front of a fireplace
Mrs. Stone was in Ma’s chair by
the ___, with Ma right beside
her.
20
180 raucous
loud and unpleasant to listen to
Inside there was ___laughter.
20
181 haltingly
stopping often because of not being
sure about what to say or do : not
steady
___, he said, “ I need to see Mr.
Ford.”
20
189 ferociously extremely intense
Matt rubbed his forehead ___.
CH
PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
22
197
asunder
into parts
Bill Stone was a man who loved
this land and could not bear to
see it ripped ____ by
Secessionists and bushwhackers.
22
198
refuge
shelter or protection from
danger or trouble
“But I will sing of thy power; yea, I
will sing aloud of thy mercy in the
morning: for thou hast been my
defense and ____ in the day of my
trouble.”
23
206
vile
disgustingly or utterly bad
“And I know you walked out
during that ____ hymn.”
24
215
fiendish
extremely bad,
unpleasant, or difficult
And before you die, you’ll do ____
things to other human beings.
CH
PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
22
197
iniquity
something that is unfair or evil
He stood up to these
workers of ____ and
said: NO.
22
202
perplexed
unable to understand something
clearly or to think clearly
“What?” She stopped
short, ____.
23
209
vicious
very violent and cruel
Jesse gave Matt a ____
shove before he stood.
23
210
parched
deprived of natural moisture; very
thirsty
By then his head was
aching, his throat ____,
his shirt soaked—and
his brother up the road,
waiting.
CH
PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
25
222
palatable
acceptable or
agreeable to the
palate or taste; savory
It wasn’t exactly Ma’s cooking, but it
far more palatable than hardtack.
25
223
forlorn
desolate or dreary;
And Molly, serious and forlorn, watch
unhappy or miserable, with those big brown eyes.
as in feeling,
condition, or
appearance
25
225
contrabands
25
229
denounce
(during the American
Civil War) a black slave
who escaped to or was
brought within the
Union lines
to condemn or
censure openly or
publicly
“They’re ___, “ the sergeant said, “on
way to Kansas.”
“That I disclaim and ___ all faith and
fellowship with the so-called Confede
armies, and pledge my honor, my pro
and my life to the sacred performanc
this my solemn oath of allegiance to
Government of the United States of
America.”
CH
PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
25
229
sovereignty
having supreme power or
authority
“_______,” the officer
said.
25
223
forage
to wander or go in search of
provisions; seek; rummage; hunt
They were allowed to fish
and ___, but he pickings
were slim, the creeks too
low.
25
226
refugees
a person who flees for refuge or
safety, especially to a foreign
country, as in time of political
upheaval, war, etc.
“______,” the sergeant
said. Burned out, I expect.
25
222
rousting
to rout or stir, as out of bed
It seemed he had only just
shut his eyes when the
Federals were _____them
out again.
CH
PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
28
243
indebted
obligated for favors or kindness
received
“I’m so ____ to you.”
28
244
broached
to mention or suggest for the first time “I _____the subject
with my father.”
28
250
ague
a fit of fever or shivering or shaking
chills, accompanied by malaise, pains
in the bones and joints, etc.; chill
“Pappy says it was
fever and ____.”
29
253
brazen
shameless or impudent; bold
How could she be so
______?
CH
PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
29
252
fodder
“But he’s go to haul
_____for the Feds twice
a week.”
29
252
devilment
coarse food for livestock, composed
of entire plants, including leaves,
stalks, and grain, of such forages as
corn and sorghum.
devilish or mischievous conduct
29
252
adoration
the act of paying honor, as to a
divine being; worship.
But as Matt approached,
he winced to see her
staring—with what
looked to be ______—at
Sam.
30
262
menacing
something that threatens to cause
evil, harm, injury, etc.; a threat
The man was bluffing,
they never hurt women
or little ones, and yet . . .
Matt looked into those
___ eyes.
“Sorry for every _____I
ever did you.”
CH
PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
31
267
commotion
violent or tumultuous motion;
agitation; noisy disturbance:
Ben rushed down the lane,
yelling as the ______moved
on.
31
268
brambles
any rough, prickly shrub
“Stumbling on rocks, tripping
over _____, Matt could
hardly believe his own
stupidity.”
31
268
eerily
uncanny, so as to inspire
superstitious fear; weird
It was _____ peaceful, but
when he held his breath, the
high pitched wailing of the
little ones pierced the
silence, and he ran to the
house.
32
274
appalled
to fill or overcome with horror,
consternation, or fear; dismay
“I’m not appalled, ma’am.
I’m just…” He shrugged.
CH
PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
32
275
precarious
dependent on circumstances
beyond one's control; uncertain;
unstable; insecure:
“Well, this does feel a bit
_____, but I couldn’t.”
34
288
calamities
a great misfortune or disaster, as a
flood or serious injury
“For my soul trusteth in
thee, in the shadow of
thy wings will I make my
refuge, until these
______be overpast..”
34
289
clattered
to make a loud, rattling sound, as
that produced by hard objects
striking rapidly one against the
other
At the barn were more
men and horses and
lanterns, and a wagon
______down the lane.
35
294
contempt
the feeling with which a person
Clayton’s voice was thick
regards anything considered mean, with ______.
vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn.
CH
PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
35
298
remedied
something that cures or relieves a
disease or bodily disorder; a healing
medicine, application, or treatment
“Nothing that can’t be
_______.”
36
303
malice
desire to inflict injury, harm, or
suffering on another, either because
of a hostile impulse or out of deepseated meanness
Did grandfather think
he would bear a
person _____ just
because that person
was a freed slave?
36
304
bewildered
completely puzzled or confused;
perplexed
“The situation here is
beyond complex,”
Grandfather said,
sounding _______.
36
304
yonder
being in that place or over there;
being that or those over there
“That’s the hay
meadow over _____,
and over there’s the
wheat field.”
CH
PG
Word
Definition
Sentence
37
311
scalded
to burn or affect painfully with or
as if with hot liquid or steam
“I ran like a _____ dog,”
Jesse admitted.
37
312
rendezvous
an agreement between two or
“There’s a _____ I reckon I
more persons to meet at a certain can find.”
time and place
18
165
embroidery
raised and ornamental designs in Bright ____, big pockets.
threads of silk, cotton, gold, silver,
or other material, upon any
woven fabric, leather, paper, etc.,
created with a needle.
38
322
reverence
a feeling or attitude of deep
respect tinged with awe;
veneration
He took out his Bible,
found his spot, and read
with _____: “What time I
am afraid, I will trust in
thee.”