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Two sailor lads
Two sailor lads

Chapter XXXI

Cover illustration for Two sailor lads
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN CANNIBAL ISLANDS.
The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.
Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Two sailor lads

Chapter XXXI

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

Line 1
IN CANNIBAL ISLANDS.
Line 2
The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
Line 3
It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
Line 4
Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.
Line 5
Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.”

Crew noun US /crew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.”

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.”

Score noun US /score/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.”

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.”

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 The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.

alive

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

arms

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.

beach

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

boats

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

brig

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

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.

CANNIBAL

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

From this reading IN CANNIBAL ISLANDS.

carried

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

From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.

certainly

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

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

chance

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

From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.

chief

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

From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.

clothes

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

completely

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.

crewnounUS /crew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

crowded

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

day

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

derelict

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

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

fierce-looking

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

following

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

From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

HerenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.

idle

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

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN CANNIBAL ISLANDS.

islanders

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

From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.

ISLANDS

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

From this reading IN CANNIBAL ISLANDS.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

lucky

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

mapped

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

From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.

mercy

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.

more

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

naked

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

natives

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.

occur

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

From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

out

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

From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

perhaps

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

prisoners

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

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

programme

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

From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.

Resolute

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

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

round

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

sailors

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

savages

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

scorenounUS /score/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.

up

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

wore

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

From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.

year

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

From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.

years

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

From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.