Chapter 4 of An Ocean Tramp is here in full — 438 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter IV
Chapter 4 of An Ocean Tramp is here in full — 438 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
"Why, Mr. Honna?" The Mate's voice drops to a whisper. "Why, don't ye see, mister? But ye've not been long at sea. Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
Chapter 4 of An Ocean Tramp is here in full — 438 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading “The Mate's voice drops to a whisper.”
a form of address for a man
From this reading “"Why, don't ye see, mister?”
plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading “Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.”
a useful or valuable quality
hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
From this reading “Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.”
to certain extent or degree
From this reading “Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.”
plural of “stringer” — a member of a squad on a team
From this reading “Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.”
being four more than twenty
From this reading “Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.”
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.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
In this reading “But ye've not been long at sea.”
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.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Mate's voice drops to a whisper.
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But ye've not been long at sea.
for the reason that
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But ye've not been long at sea.
the lower side of anything
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But ye've not been long at sea.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, don't ye see, mister?
increase twofold
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading The Mate's voice drops to a whisper.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, Mr. Honna?"
ten 10s
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading But ye've not been long at sea.
engage in
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Mate's voice drops to a whisper.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Why, don't ye see, mister?
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Why, Mr. Honna?"
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But ye've not been long at sea.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
and nothing more
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
a useful or valuable quality
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading But ye've not been long at sea.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Why, don't ye see, mister?
plural of “stringer” — a member of a squad on a team
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Mate's voice drops to a whisper.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Mate's voice drops to a whisper.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
being four more than twenty
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Because he'd totted up all the indents, an' added all he reasonably could on the bow plates an' stringers _plus_ a new double bottom to the forehold, an' _then_ he could only make it come to about twenty-four hundred pound.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The Mate's voice drops to a whisper.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading The Mate's voice drops to a whisper.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why, Mr. Honna?"
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading "Why, don't ye see, mister?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ye've not been long at sea.
Chapter 4 of An Ocean Tramp by William McFee holds 438 sentences, grouped into 88 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.
Chapter 4 holds 438 sentences of An Ocean Tramp, unabridged, divided into 88 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 4 of An Ocean Tramp by William McFee exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 438 sentences, grouped into 88 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.
Work through the 88 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 88 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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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.
Common questions about reading An Ocean Tramp by William McFee on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 3089 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #30648 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #30648, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 257 minutes of reading across 618 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through An Ocean Tramp section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 7 chapters of An Ocean Tramp to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in An Ocean Tramp, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
