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Allan Quatermain

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of Allan Quatermain is here in full — 132 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Allan Quatermain

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

Once we were met by the fierce rattling challenge of the sentry.

I gave the countersign, and the man grounded his spear and let us pass.

Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

Narrator

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.

Chapter XVII Reading 1/26

Allan Quatermain

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of Allan Quatermain is here in full — 132 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

Line 2

Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

Line 3

Once we were met by the fierce rattling challenge of the sentry.

Line 4

I gave the countersign, and the man grounded his spear and let us pass.

Line 5

Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

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.

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.”

All words in this reading · 67

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.

a

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

Also

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

From this reading Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

and

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

as

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

BEFORE

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

bodyguard

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

From this reading Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

by

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

From this reading Once we were met by the fierce rattling challenge of the sentry.

by-entrance

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

capacity

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

From this reading Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

challenge

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

From this reading Once we were met by the fierce rattling challenge of the sentry.

Chamber

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

City

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

cloud

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

come

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

From this reading Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

countersign

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

From this reading I gave the countersign, and the man grounded his spear and let us pass.

Curtis

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

dead

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

evildoers

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

fierce

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

From this reading Once we were met by the fierce rattling challenge of the sentry.

Frowning

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

gave

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

From this reading I gave the countersign, and the man grounded his spear and let us pass.

go

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

From this reading Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

great

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

grounded

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

From this reading I gave the countersign, and the man grounded his spear and let us pass.

had

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

From this reading Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

Henry

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

his

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

From this reading I gave the countersign, and the man grounded his spear and let us pass.

I

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

From this reading I gave the countersign, and the man grounded his spear and let us pass.

in

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

From this reading Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

It

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

lay

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

let

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

From this reading I gave the countersign, and the man grounded his spear and let us pass.

like

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

man

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

From this reading I gave the countersign, and the man grounded his spear and let us pass.

met

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

From this reading Once we were met by the fierce rattling challenge of the sentry.

myself

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

night

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

of

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

From this reading Once we were met by the fierce rattling challenge of the sentry.

officers

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

From this reading Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

on

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

Once

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

From this reading Once we were met by the fierce rattling challenge of the sentry.

our

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

pass

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

From this reading I gave the countersign, and the man grounded his spear and let us pass.

passages

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

Queens

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

From this reading Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

rattling

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

From this reading Once we were met by the fierce rattling challenge of the sentry.

right

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

From this reading Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

Secretly

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

sentry

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

From this reading Once we were met by the fierce rattling challenge of the sentry.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

Sir

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

spear

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

From this reading I gave the countersign, and the man grounded his spear and let us pass.

STATUE

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

that

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

From this reading Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

THE

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

threaded

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

Throne

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

through

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

to

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

towards

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

Umslopogaas

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

unquestioned

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

From this reading Also we were officers of the Queens’ bodyguard, and in that capacity had a right to come and go unquestioned.

us

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

From this reading I gave the countersign, and the man grounded his spear and let us pass.

was

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

From this reading BEFORE THE STATUE It was night—dead night—and the silence lay on the Frowning City like a cloud.

way

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

From this reading Secretly, as evildoers, Sir Henry Curtis, Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our way through the passages towards a by-entrance to the great Throne Chamber.

we

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

From this reading Once we were met by the fierce rattling challenge of the sentry.

were

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

From this reading Once we were met by the fierce rattling challenge of the sentry.

Chapter 17 of Allan Quatermain by H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard holds 132 sentences, grouped into 27 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 17 of Allan Quatermain contain?

Chapter 17 holds 132 sentences of Allan Quatermain, unabridged, divided into 27 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of Allan Quatermain by H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 132 sentences, grouped into 27 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 17 of Allan Quatermain?

Work through the 27 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 27 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.

Can chapter 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 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.

Questions about reading Allan Quatermain

Common questions about reading Allan Quatermain by H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Allan Quatermain?

Yes. All 4171 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #711 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Allan Quatermain is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #711, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Allan Quatermain take to read?

About 347 minutes of reading across 835 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Allan Quatermain section by section

How to work through Allan Quatermain section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 25 chapters of Allan Quatermain to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Allan Quatermain

Words and structures a reader meets early in Allan Quatermain, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Inscribe: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Allan Quatermain; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Adventure: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Allan Quatermain; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Arthur: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Allan Quatermain; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rider: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Allan Quatermain; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.