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Cringle and cross-tree
Cringle and cross-tree

Chapter XXI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.
I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.
Waterford, the most active and dangerous of the party, was tied to a stanchion.
I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.
If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Cringle and cross-tree

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.
Line 2
I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.
Line 3
Waterford, the most active and dangerous of the party, was tied to a stanchion.
Line 4
I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.
Line 5
If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.”

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.”

Berths plural noun US /bɜrθs/

sleeping places on a ship

From this reading “I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.”

Foot noun US /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.”

Free adjective US /friː/

acting without enough restraint or discipline

From this reading “If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Waterford, the most active and dangerous of the party, was tied to a stanchion.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.”

SECOND noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.”

All words in this reading · 75

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 Waterford, the most active and dangerous of the party, was tied to a stanchion.

active

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

From this reading Waterford, the most active and dangerous of the party, was tied to a stanchion.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

all

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

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

battle

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

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

BECOMES

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.

berthsplural nounUS /bɜrθs/

sleeping places on a ship

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

bound

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

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

caused

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

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

dangerous

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

From this reading Waterford, the most active and dangerous of the party, was tied to a stanchion.

dared

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

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

doing

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

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

fight

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

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

footnounUS /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

freeadjectiveUS /friː/

acting without enough restraint or discipline

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

get

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

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

hand

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

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.

lay

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

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

loose

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

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

MATE

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

MICHIGAN

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.

most

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

From this reading Waterford, the most active and dangerous of the party, was tied to a stanchion.

nine

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

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

number

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

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

obliged

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

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

others

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

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Waterford, the most active and dangerous of the party, was tied to a stanchion.

permit

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

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

PHIL

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.

placed

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

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

prisoners

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

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

SECOND

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.

see

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

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

sentinel

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

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

situation

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

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

slave

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

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

stanchion

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

From this reading Waterford, the most active and dangerous of the party, was tied to a stanchion.

steerage

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

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

tied

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

From this reading Waterford, the most active and dangerous of the party, was tied to a stanchion.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Waterford, the most active and dangerous of the party, was tied to a stanchion.

traders

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

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

uncomfortable

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

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

Waterford

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

From this reading Waterford, the most active and dangerous of the party, was tied to a stanchion.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading If one of these slave traders should get loose, he could free the others, and we should be obliged to fight the battle over again.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading I had not caused him to be placed in this uncomfortable situation because he had done the same thing to me, but because I dared not permit him to be where the sentinel could not see all the time what he was doing.

WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I was alone with the prisoners,--nine in number,--all but one of whom lay in the berths of the steerage, bound hand and foot.