Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
On The Blockade
On The Blockade

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for On The Blockade
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.
Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.
When Flint came in the vicinity of the bridge, he called to him to join him.
The men were procuring their revolvers and cutlasses, and he had a moment to spare.
The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

On The Blockade

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.
Line 2
Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.
Line 3
When Flint came in the vicinity of the bridge, he called to him to join him.
Line 4
The men were procuring their revolvers and cutlasses, and he had a moment to spare.
Line 5
The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.

Learner Dictionary

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

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.”

Cutlasses noun US /ˈcutlasses/

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

From this reading “The men were procuring their revolvers and cutlasses, and he had a moment to spare.”

Flint noun US /flint/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When Flint came in the vicinity of the bridge, he called to him to join him.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.”

Ship noun US /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.”

All words in this reading · 74

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 men were procuring their revolvers and cutlasses, and he had a moment to spare.

agitated

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

ahead

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

appeared

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

bell

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

board

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

boarders

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

From this reading The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.

bridge

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

From this reading When Flint came in the vicinity of the bridge, he called to him to join him.

Bronx

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

called

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

From this reading When Flint came in the vicinity of the bridge, he called to him to join him.

came

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

From this reading When Flint came in the vicinity of the bridge, he called to him to join him.

captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.

Christy

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

conceal

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

From this reading The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.

CONFEDERATE

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

coolest

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.

cutlasses

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

From this reading The men were procuring their revolvers and cutlasses, and he had a moment to spare.

down

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

engine

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

excitement

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

far

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

felt

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

Flint

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

From this reading When Flint came in the vicinity of the bridge, he called to him to join him.

fog

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

From this reading The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.

go

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

gong

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

hour

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

instructed

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

From this reading The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.

join

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

From this reading When Flint came in the vicinity of the bridge, he called to him to join him.

keep

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

lifetime

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

man

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

men

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

From this reading The men were procuring their revolvers and cutlasses, and he had a moment to spare.

moment

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

From this reading The men were procuring their revolvers and cutlasses, and he had a moment to spare.

most

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

procuring

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

From this reading The men were procuring their revolvers and cutlasses, and he had a moment to spare.

revolvers

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

From this reading The men were procuring their revolvers and cutlasses, and he had a moment to spare.

room

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

SCOTIAN

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

seen

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

From this reading The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.

shipnounUS /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

sounded

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

spare

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

From this reading The men were procuring their revolvers and cutlasses, and he had a moment to spare.

STEAMER

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

struggled

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

succeeded

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The men were procuring their revolvers and cutlasses, and he had a moment to spare.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER SCOTIAN One bell sounded on the gong in the engine room, and the Bronx began to go ahead.

tremendous

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

up

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

From this reading The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.

vicinity

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

From this reading When Flint came in the vicinity of the bridge, he called to him to join him.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The men were procuring their revolvers and cutlasses, and he had a moment to spare.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When Flint came in the vicinity of the bridge, he called to him to join him.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Christy felt that the most tremendous hour of his lifetime had come, and he struggled to keep down the excitement which agitated him; and he succeeded so far that he appeared to be the coolest man on board of the ship.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The captain instructed him to conceal the boarders so that they could not be seen on board the steamer in the fog when the Bronx came up with her.