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Treasure Island
Treasure Island

Chapter V · The Last of the Blind Man

My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.
“Down with the door!”
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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.

Treasure Island

Chapter V · The Last of the Blind Man

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
Line 2
I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
Line 3
Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
Line 4
The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.
Line 5
“Down with the door!”
All words in this reading · 83

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 My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

arrive

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

back

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

bank

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

beating

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

beggarnounUS /ˈbɛɡər/

a person who asks for money or food

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

blind

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

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

broom

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

bush

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

command

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

crept

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

curiosity

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

door

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

Down

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

From this reading “Down with the door!”

eight

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

enemies

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

ereconjunctionUS /er/

an old word for “before”

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

fear

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

feet

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

front

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

hand

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

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

hard

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

head

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

lantern

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

made

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

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

man

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.

men

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

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

middle

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

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

mist

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

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

moment

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

From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

out

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

paces

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

position

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

ran

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

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

remain

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.

road

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

runningnounUS /ˈrunning/

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

scarcely

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

sense

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

seven

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

sheltering

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

showed

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

From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.

some

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

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

stronger

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

Three

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

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

together

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

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

trio

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

From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.

voice

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

From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

whenceadverbUS /wens/

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.

Chapter Quiz

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Chapter 07: I Go To Bristol?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "It was longer than the squire imagined ere we were ready for the sea,...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Narrator: It was longer than the squire imagined ere we were ready for the sea,
Narrator: ho!