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A Modern Buccaneer
A Modern Buccaneer

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for A Modern Buccaneer
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.
Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.
The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.
Hayston said he thought it was the _Resacca_, an American cruiser.
Possibly she might overhaul us and take us into Ponapé.
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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 Modern Buccaneer

Chapter IX

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.
Line 2
Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.
Line 3
The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.
Line 4
Hayston said he thought it was the _Resacca_, an American cruiser.
Line 5
Possibly she might overhaul us and take us into Ponapé.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Possibly she might overhaul us and take us into Ponapé.”

Oil noun US /ɔɪl/

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading “HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.”

Ship noun US /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Possibly she might overhaul us and take us into Ponapé.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Hayston said he thought it was the _Resacca_, an American cruiser.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.”

All words in this reading · 77

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 HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

aloft

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

From this reading The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.

American

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

From this reading Hayston said he thought it was the _Resacca_, an American cruiser.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Hayston said he thought it was the _Resacca_, an American cruiser.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

Arrecifos

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

bound

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

broke

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

call

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.

cattle

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

central

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

cruiser

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

From this reading Hayston said he thought it was the _Resacca_, an American cruiser.

DAYS

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

distance

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

From this reading The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.

few

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

glasses

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

From this reading The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

HALCYON

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

Hayston

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

From this reading Hayston said he thought it was the _Resacca_, an American cruiser.

Hayston's

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

haze

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Hayston said he thought it was the _Resacca_, an American cruiser.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Possibly she might overhaul us and take us into Ponapé.

Island

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Hayston said he thought it was the _Resacca_, an American cruiser.

land

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

leaving

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.

lookout

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

made

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

From this reading The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Possibly she might overhaul us and take us into Ponapé.

Nine

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

now

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

off

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

From this reading The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.

oilnounUS /ɔɪl/

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

once

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

From this reading The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

out

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

From this reading The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.

overhaul

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

From this reading Possibly she might overhaul us and take us into Ponapé.

Pingelap

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

Ponapé

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

Possibly

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

From this reading Possibly she might overhaul us and take us into Ponapé.

reported

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

Resacca

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

From this reading Hayston said he thought it was the _Resacca_, an American cruiser.

said

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

From this reading Hayston said he thought it was the _Resacca_, an American cruiser.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Possibly she might overhaul us and take us into Ponapé.

shipnounUS /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

sight

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

smoke

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

station

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

steamer

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

From this reading The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.

Strong's

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

sun

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Possibly she might overhaul us and take us into Ponapé.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Hayston said he thought it was the _Resacca_, an American cruiser.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

tropic

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

From this reading Nine days after leaving Ponapé, as the sun broke through the tropic haze, the lookout reported smoke in sight.

tuns

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

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Possibly she might overhaul us and take us into Ponapé.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Hayston said he thought it was the _Resacca_, an American cruiser.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading HALCYON DAYS We were now bound for Arrecifos Island, Hayston's central station, but had first to call at Pingelap and Strong's Island, where we were to land our cattle and ship a few tuns of oil.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Captain and I at once went aloft, and with our glasses made out a steamer a long distance off.