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

Chapter XXVII · “Pieces of Eight”

Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing…
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.
Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.
He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.
As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.
A fish or two whipped past his body.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Treasure Island

Chapter XXVII · “Pieces of Eight”

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.
Line 2
Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.
Line 3
He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.
Line 4
As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.
Line 5
A fish or two whipped past his body.

Learner Dictionary

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

owing noun US /owing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.”

Collocations
Owing toa source-grounded phrase from section 1
the canta source-grounded phrase from section 1
All words in this reading · 72

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 He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

bay

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A fish or two whipped past his body.

bright

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

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

bulwarks

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

From this reading Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

cant

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

clean

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

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

consequence

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

From this reading Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

cross-trees

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

far

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

fell

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

From this reading Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.

fish

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

From this reading A fish or two whipped past his body.

foam

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

From this reading He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

Handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A fish or two whipped past his body.

huddled

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

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

hung

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.

lather

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

From this reading He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.

lying

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

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

masts

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

nearer

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

From this reading Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

once

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

From this reading He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A fish or two whipped past his body.

out

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

OwingnounUS /owing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

past

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

From this reading A fish or two whipped past his body.

perch

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

rose

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

From this reading He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.

sand

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

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

sank

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

From this reading He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.

see

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

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

settled

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

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

shipnounUS /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.

sides

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

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.

surface

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

then

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

From this reading He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood and then sank again for good.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

together

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

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

two

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

From this reading A fish or two whipped past his body.

up

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

From this reading Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.

vessel

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

vessel's

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

From this reading As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel’s sides.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.

water

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

From this reading Owing to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross-trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay.

whippednounUS /ˈwhipped/

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

From this reading A fish or two whipped past his body.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Hands, who was not so far up, was in consequence nearer to the ship and fell between me and the bulwarks.

Chapter Quiz

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Chapter 29: The Black Spot Again?

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

According to the text: "The council of buccaneers had lasted some time, when one of them...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Narrator: The council of buccaneers had lasted some time, when one of them
Narrator: nor memory, and I leave it to fancy where your mothers was that let you