A low range of wooded hills which lay right across their path

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Does “lay right across their path” here suggest that “low range of wooded hills” was like a barrier between them and Tashbaan or does it mean “low range of wooded hills” continued along their path?

The others were waiting for him among the trees at the foot of a low range of wooded hills which lay right across their path. Everyone was feeling excited because this was the last hill; when they reached the ridge at the top they would be looking down on Tashbaan.

3 Likes
2

It just means there are wooded hills between them and their destination. The trees and hills might slow their progress. It might even block them completely. But laying across their path does not imply that.

Some other parts of the text might make it clear if it slowed them down. But the quoted part does not say how much it affected their progress.

4 Likes