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AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STRANGE PROMISE.
Africa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sails creaked and groaned as they bent to the wind, speeding on in the darkness towards the mainland of Africa.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The sails creaked and groaned as they bent to the wind, speeding on in the darkness towards the mainland of Africa.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
bent
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From this reading The sails creaked and groaned as they bent to the wind, speeding on in the darkness towards the mainland of Africa.
black
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From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
blacks
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From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
BYprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
change
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From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
charge
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From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
clean
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From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
Clinging
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From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
clumsyadjectiveUS /ˈklʌmzi/
awkward in movement or handling things
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
compelling
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From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
completenounUS /complete/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
confess
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From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
craftnounUS /kræft/
a boat or ship in this chapter’s sailing situation
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
creaked
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From this reading The sails creaked and groaned as they bent to the wind, speeding on in the darkness towards the mainland of Africa.
crewnounUS /crew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
cut-throat
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From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
darkness
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From this reading The sails creaked and groaned as they bent to the wind, speeding on in the darkness towards the mainland of Africa.
dipping
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From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
feared
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From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
flambeaux
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From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
flickering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
grinning
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From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
groaned
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From this reading The sails creaked and groaned as they bent to the wind, speeding on in the darkness towards the mainland of Africa.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
hang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The sails creaked and groaned as they bent to the wind, speeding on in the darkness towards the mainland of Africa.
Kouaga
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
light
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From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
liner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
Liverpool
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From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
mainland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sails creaked and groaned as they bent to the wind, speeding on in the darkness towards the mainland of Africa.
managed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
manned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
natives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
oily-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
PROMISE
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From this reading A STRANGE PROMISE.
rendered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
rope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
sails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sails creaked and groaned as they bent to the wind, speeding on in the darkness towards the mainland of Africa.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
seas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
shipped
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From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
shouting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
slaver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
sleek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
speeding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sails creaked and groaned as they bent to the wind, speeding on in the darkness towards the mainland of Africa.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
STRANGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRANGE PROMISE.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
suspected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
swarm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The sails creaked and groaned as they bent to the wind, speeding on in the darkness towards the mainland of Africa.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
torches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading The sails creaked and groaned as they bent to the wind, speeding on in the darkness towards the mainland of Africa.
transferred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
trust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
uncertain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
weird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
well-ordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be transferred to such a ship, which I more than suspected was a slaver, was a complete change after the clean, well-ordered Liverpool liner, and I must confess that, had we not been in charge of Kouaga, I should have feared to trust myself among that shouting cut-throat crew of grinning blacks.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading BY the light of the flambeaux the sleek, black, oily-looking natives managed their clumsy craft, which, dipping suddenly now and then, shipped great seas, compelling us to hang on for life.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Clinging to a rope I stood watching the strange scene, rendered more weird by the flickering uncertain light of the torches falling upon the swarm of natives who manned the craft.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sails creaked and groaned as they bent to the wind, speeding on in the darkness towards the mainland of Africa.
