A Roving Commission

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of A Roving Commission is here in full — 391 sentences across 79 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By G. A. (George Alfred) Henty • Curated US English Learning Edition

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IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

We may be sure that the negroes will search everywhere for you, and that, released from work and having nothing to do, they will wander about the woods, and one of them might come upon us at any moment.

Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."

"But why should you leave us?"

Myra asked.

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Chapter VII Reading 1/78

A Roving Commission

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of A Roving Commission is here in full — 391 sentences across 79 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/78 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

Line 2

/wiː meɪ biː ʃʊr ðæt ðə ˈniːɡroʊz wɪl sɜːrtʃ ˈevriwer fɔːr juː ənd ðæt riˈliːst frʌm wɜːrk ənd ˈhævɪŋ ˈnʌθɪŋ tuː duː ðeɪ wɪl ˈwɑːndər əˈbaʊt ðə wʊdz ənd wʌn ʌv ðem maɪt kʌm əˈpɑːn ʌs æt ˈeni ˈmoʊmənt/

Line 3

Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."

/ˈðerfɔːr ənˈles wiː kæn faɪnd sʌm sɔːrt ʌv ˈʃeltər aɪ der nɑːt liːv juː fɔːr ə ˈmɪnət/

Line 4

"But why should you leave us?"

/bʌt waɪ ʃʊd juː liːv ʌs/

Line 5

Myra asked.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

comfortably adverb US /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/

in mental comfort; without stress

From this reading “IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.”

everywhere adverb US /ˈevriwer/

to or in any or all places

From this reading “We may be sure that the negroes will search everywhere for you, and that, released from work and having nothing to do, they will wander about the woods, and one of them might come upon us at any moment.”

hiding noun US /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading “IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.”

negroes noun US /ˈniːɡroʊz/

plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today

released verb US /riˈliːst/

past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip

seated adjective US /ˈsiːtɪd/

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading “IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.”

shelter noun US /ˈʃeltər/

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading “Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."”

wander verb US /ˈwɑːndər/

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

comfortably seated adverb + adjective

In this reading “IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.”

search everywhere verb + particle

In this reading “We may be sure that the negroes will search everywhere for you, and that, released from work and having nothing to do, they will wander about the woods, and one of them might come upon us at any moment.”

wander about verb + particle

some sort adjective + noun

In this reading “IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.”

released from verb + particle counted as “release from”

first thing adjective + noun

In this reading “IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.”

for a minute preposition + article + noun counted as “for … minute”

In this reading “Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."”

find some verb + adjective

In this reading “IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.”

All words in this reading · 71

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading We may be sure that the negroes will search everywhere for you, and that, released from work and having nothing to do, they will wander about the woods, and one of them might come upon us at any moment.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Myra asked.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "But why should you leave us?"

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/

in mental comfort; without stress

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

dareverbUS /der/

take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

Duchesne

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

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

everywhereadverbUS /ˈevriwer/

to or in any or all places

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

HIDINGnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

hiding-place

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

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

leaveverbUS /liːv/

go away from a place

From this reading Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."

MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

minutenounUS /ˈmɪnət/

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

Myra

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

From this reading Myra asked.

Nat

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

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

negroesnounUS /ˈniːɡroʊz/

plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/

capable of happening or existing

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

releasedverbUS /riˈliːst/

past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

searchverbUS /sɜːrtʃ/

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

seatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

shelternounUS /ˈʃeltər/

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "But why should you leave us?"

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

sortnounUS /sɔːrt/

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

ThereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading Therefore, unless we can find some sort of shelter, I dare not leave you for a minute."

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

wanderverbUS /ˈwɑːndər/

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading IN HIDING "The first thing to do," Nat said, after he had seen that Madame Duchesne was as comfortably seated as possible, "is to find some sort of hiding-place.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

whynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "But why should you leave us?"

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

woodsnounUS /wʊdz/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

Chapter 7 of A Roving Commission by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty holds 391 sentences, grouped into 79 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 7 of A Roving Commission contain?

Chapter 7 holds 391 sentences of A Roving Commission, unabridged, divided into 79 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of A Roving Commission by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 391 sentences, grouped into 79 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 7 of A Roving Commission?

Work through the 79 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 79 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

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Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

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Yes. All 6455 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #38764 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #38764, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 537 minutes of reading across 1291 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Chapter VII

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