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A Desperate Voyage
A Desperate Voyage

Chapter XV

Cover illustration for A Desperate Voyage
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Desperate Voyage

Chapter XV

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
Line 2
The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
Line 3
A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
Line 4
At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
Line 5
He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.”

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.”

Current noun US /ˈcurrent/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.”

Distant adjective US /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading “A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.”

Plainly noun US /ˈplainly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.”

All words in this reading · 85

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.

aching

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

asleep

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

away

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.

awning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

barely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

barque

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

beach

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

breakers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

breeze

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.

capture

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.

Carew

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

charge

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

currentnounUS /ˈcurrent/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

daybreak

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

deck

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.

despairing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.

died

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.

direction

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

distinguished

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

effected

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.

end

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

far

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.

heart

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.

HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

hove-to

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

islet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

lay

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

light

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.

men

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

middle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

midnight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.

misery

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

night

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.

ocean

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

paced

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.

plainlynounUS /ˈplainly/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

restlessly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.

roaring

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

setting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

sound

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

south-east

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.

south-westerly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.

spanker

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.

sprang

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.

strong

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

sunset

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

three

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

Trinidad

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.

vessel

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

visible

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.

watch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.