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The Mysterious Island
The Mysterious Island

Chapter XVII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.
And how long would it take to do this?
Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.
As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.
The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Mysterious Island

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.
Line 2
And how long would it take to do this?
Line 3
Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.
Line 4
As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.
Line 5
The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

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 “It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.”

Determined adjective US /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading “The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.”

Exact adjective US /ɪɡˈzækt/

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading “The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And how long would it take to do this?”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And how long would it take to do this?”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “And how long would it take to do this?”

All words in this reading · 96

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 It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

also

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And how long would it take to do this?

arose

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

axe

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

bearing

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

beasts

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

breakfast

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

clock

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

coast

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

creepers

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

cries

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

cut

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

Cyrus

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

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

depended

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

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

distance

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading And how long would it take to do this?

encampment

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

Franklin

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

go

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

grass

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

guns

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

hand

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

Harding

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

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

hasty

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

heard

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

hours

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

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

how

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

From this reading And how long would it take to do this?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

island

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

less

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And how long would it take to do this?

marched

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

meet

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

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

miles

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

Mount

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

nature

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

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

night

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

north

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

o

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

obstacles

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

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

only

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

out

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

path

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

position

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

probable

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

reach

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

ready

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

said

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

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

set

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

settlers

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

shortest

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

shrubs

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

six

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

southwest

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

straight

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And how long would it take to do this?

taking

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading And how long would it take to do this?

three

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

two

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

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

volcano

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

From this reading The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast.

warning

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

way

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

western

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

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island.

wild

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

wisely

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

From this reading As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading And how long would it take to do this?