Stiffen
become rigid
Jolting
abruptly move someone
Loath
unwilling
Settlement
an agreement made to settle and argument
Drooping
hanging limply
Carcass
dead body of an animal
Swindled
receiving money through fraudulent means
cumbersome
Awkward and difficult to maneuver.
reconnoiter
An exploratory mission, usually within a military context.
begrudge
A particularly personal and bitter type of resentment.
cantankerous
Crabby, grouchy and irritable.
accumulate
To acquire with a purpose or intent.
tedious
Indescribably boring as the result of monotony or lack of interesting insight.
Trail of Tears
The unofficial name given to the path journeyed by members of Native American tribes—mostly Cherokee—as part of the forced relocation aspect of the Indian Removal Act in the early 1800s.
putrid
Rotting; in a state of decay.
cleft
A fissure or division.
clearing
A portion of land with no overgrowth of vegetation obstructing the view.
disheartened
Discouraged to the point of having the potential to completely give up.
exultation
An expression of joyous celebration.
mollify
To calm or pacify with the intent of creating peace.
nettle
A plant with little stinging spikes on the end.
plumb
Purely and precisely; downright.
recollect
Recalling events from a long time past.
kinfolk
Relatives; members of the extended family.
addled
A state of confused thinking.
eddy
A small whirlpool or vortex.
commence
To launch or begin.
