The Sword in the Tree: "The Sword in the Tree" by Clyde Robert Bulla

by Clyde Robert Bulla
In King Arthur's England, a young boy encounters knights and robbers as he tries to restore peace to the land.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. keen
    demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
    He could neither hear nor speak, but his eyes were keen and bright.
  2. trough
    a container from which cattle or horses feed
    He went to the stone trough near the castle gate.
  3. lance
    a long pointed rod used as a weapon
    “I can teach you all the things a knight should know. How to ride, how to use a lance and sword—”
  4. scabbard
    a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet
    He put on his belt and scabbard. He slid the sword into the scabbard. He took up the shield and ran out into the garden.
  5. hilt
    the handle of a sword or dagger
    The hilt was of gold, set with small red stones. When he took the sword from the box, the stones flashed in the light.
  6. hearth
    a built-in space in a wall where a fire can be built
    He knelt by the fire and raked some ashes out upon the hearth.
  7. tinder
    material that burns easily and is used for starting a fire
    He struck a spark with the flint and steel. The spark fell into the tinder and caught fire. He lighted the dry leaves and sticks.
  8. wade
    walk through relatively shallow water
    They waded across a stream and pushed their way through vines and bushes that tore their clothes.
  9. haul
    transport in a vehicle
    Sometimes Adam and the two boys cut wood for the fire. They hauled it to the house in a cart.
  10. linen
    a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
    Many of the people were dressed in silk and fine linen.
  11. quarrel
    have a disagreement over something
    “Let us not quarrel,” said the other man.
  12. page
    a youth acting as a knight's attendant
    “I can tell you this much,” said Sir Gareth. “The king likes to find his knights when they are young. First they are page boys at the castle. They wait on the table and work in the kitchen. When a page boy is older, he is made a squire. A squire helps the knights with their horses and armor.”
  13. squire
    a young nobleman attendant on a knight
    “I can tell you this much,” said Sir Gareth. “The king likes to find his knights when they are young. First they are page boys at the castle. They wait on the table and work in the kitchen. When a page boy is older, he is made a squire. A squire helps the knights with their horses and armor.”
  14. plot
    a secret scheme to do something
    “I will hear no more of this,” said Lionel in anger. “The son of my brother is dead. This boy is in a wicked plot to steal my castle from me. Take him out of my sight!”
  15. yield
    cease opposition; stop fighting
    Before he could draw it out, Sir Gareth had the point of his sword at Lionel’s throat.
    “Will you yield?” he cried.
Created on Wed Sep 08 20:19:32 EDT 2021 (updated Thu Sep 09 15:35:19 EDT 2021)

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