Under the prevailing condition of feverish speculation in land, many natives sold their estates to the French in the hope of ultimately recovering them.
— from The Accumulation of Capital by Rosa Luxemburg

Three hundred of us responded to the signal of “boots and saddles,” buckled on three hundred more or less trusty sabers and revolvers, saddled three hundred more or less gallant steeds, came into line “as companies” with the automatic listlessness of the old soldiers, “counted off by fours” in that queer gamut-running style that makes a company of men “counting off”—each shouting a number in a different voice from his neighbor—sound like running the scales on some great organ badly out of tune; something like this: One.
— from Andersonville: A Story of Rebel Military Prisons by John McElroy

If from principle or superstition, or for any other reason, it was their invariable habit to abstain from fighting at night all might yet be well with us, for though our stock of provisions and water was getting low, and the ammunition for our muskets was getting short, I felt convinced that, could our lads but secure three or tour hours of unbroken rest, they were quite equal to holding the battery for another twenty-four hours at least.
— from The Congo Rovers: A Story of the Slave Squadron by Harry Collingwood

But they have one unique resemblance: they are all driven by mechanics who are astonishingly disconcerted by the offer of stray sixpences and shillings!
— from The Secret of the League: The Story of a Social War by Ernest Bramah

Boil for three hours, or until reduced to 2 pints.
— from Food Remedies: Facts About Foods And Their Medicinal Uses by Florence Daniel

In the country of Kattaun, near the head of Urei River, there are extensive caves (goha) from the soil of which saltpetre (mesiyu mantah) is extracted.
— from The History of Sumatra Containing An Account Of The Government, Laws, Customs And Manners Of The Native Inhabitants by William Marsden

The country had the charm of home with the allurement of the unknown and, within sound of the steamers hooting in the river, almost within sight of the city lying, red-roofed and smoky with factories, round the docks and mounting in terraces to the heights of Upper Radstowe, there was an expectation of mystery, of secrets kept for countless centuries by the earth which was rich and fecund and alive.
— from The Misses Mallett (The Bridge Dividing) by E. H. (Emily Hilda) Young

He did not deny that he had believed the Nun to have been inspired, or that he had heard of the language which she was in the habit of using respecting the king.
— from The Reign of Henry the Eighth, Volume 1 (of 3) by James Anthony Froude

Pour a quart of boiling water over two tablespoonfuls of flaxseed and let it simmer for two or three hours, or until reduced to about a pint of tea.
— from Scouting For Girls, Official Handbook of the Girl Scouts by Girl Scouts of the United States of America