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The Vanished Messenger
The Vanished Messenger

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for The Vanished Messenger
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.
For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.
Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.
Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.
He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Vanished Messenger

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.
Line 2
For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.
Line 3
Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.
Line 4
Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.
Line 5
He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.

Learner Dictionary

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

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.”

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.”

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.”

Impulse noun US /ˈɪmpʌls/

a sudden strong desire to act

From this reading “Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.”

Start noun US /start/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

abroad

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

From this reading Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

afflicted

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

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

also

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

aware

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

broad

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

carriage

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

From this reading He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.

certainly

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

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

compartment

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

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

curious

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

England

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

From this reading He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.

expanse

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

eyes

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.

first-class

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

From this reading He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.

fixed

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

forgot

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

From this reading He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.

gave

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

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

girl

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

half-hour

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

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

Hamel

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

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

hand

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

From this reading He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

impulsenounUS /ˈɪmpʌls/

a sudden strong desire to act

From this reading Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

intentness

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.

made

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

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

making

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

many

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

From this reading Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.

marshland

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

moment

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

From this reading He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.

nerves

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

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

noiselessly

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

opposite

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

person

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

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

pointed

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

From this reading He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.

Richard

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

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

sands

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

sea

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

From this reading He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.

seat

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

slight

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

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

slowly

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

speak

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

From this reading Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.

spent

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

From this reading Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.

startnounUS /start/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

stop

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

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

stranger

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

From this reading Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

surprise

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

taken

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.

train

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

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

travelling

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

From this reading He forgot for a moment that he was in England, travelling in a first-class carriage, and pointed with his left hand towards the sea.

unexpected

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

From this reading Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

way

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading For the last half-hour, during which time the train had made no stop, he had been alone in his compartment.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Richard Hamel, although he certainly had not the appearance of a person afflicted with nerves, gave a slight start.

years

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

From this reading Hamel had spent a great many years abroad, and his first impulse was to speak with the unexpected stranger.

YetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet, to his surprise, he was suddenly aware that the seat opposite to him had been noiselessly taken by a girl whose eyes, also, were fixed with curious intentness upon the broad expanse of marshland and sands across which the train was slowly making its way.