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An Undivided Union
An Undivided Union

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of An Undivided Union is here in full — 147 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Oliver Optic • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for An Undivided Union
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.
"I declare, it's one of mother's spoons!"
"You're right, Artie," answered the major, leaping to the ground.
"And here is another.
That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."
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.

An Undivided Union

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of An Undivided Union is here in full — 147 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.
Line 2
"I declare, it's one of mother's spoons!"
Line 3
"You're right, Artie," answered the major, leaping to the ground.
Line 4
"And here is another.
/ənd hiːr ɪz əˈnʌðər/
Line 5
That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."
/ðæt ˈræskəl aɪ ˈwuːndɪd mʌst hæv θroʊn ðem əˈweɪ ˈæftər aɪ left hɪm ɑːn ðə brɪdʒ bentʃ/

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.

confiscated verb US /ˈkɑːnfəskeɪtəd/

past form of “confiscate” — take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority

From this reading “IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
creek noun US /kriːk/

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading “IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
enemy's noun US /ˈenəmiz/

possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading “IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
glittering adjective US /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/

having brief brilliant points or flashes of light

From this reading “IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
leaping noun US /ˈliːpɪŋ/

a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards

From this reading “"You're right, Artie," answered the major, leaping to the ground.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rascal noun US /ˈræskəl/

a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

From this reading “That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
spoons noun US /spuːnz/

plural of “spoon” — a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food

From this reading “"I declare, it's one of mother's spoons!"”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
supplies noun US /səˈplaɪz/

plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use

From this reading “IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 51

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.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "And here is another.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading "And here is another.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading "You're right, Artie," answered the major, leaping to the ground.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AREauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Artie

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

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

Pending verification
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
benchnounUS /bentʃ/

a long seat for more than one person

From this reading That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bridgenounUS /brɪdʒ/

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CONFISCATEDverbUS /ˈkɑːnfəskeɪtəd/

past form of “confiscate” — take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
creeknounUS /kriːk/

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
criedverbUS /kraɪd/

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
crossingnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪŋ/

traveling across

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DecknounUS /dek/

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
declareverbUS /dɪˈkler/

state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading "I declare, it's one of mother's spoons!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ENEMY'SnounUS /ˈenəmiz/

possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/

having brief brilliant points or flashes of light

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading "You're right, Artie," answered the major, leaping to the ground.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "And here is another.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I declare, it's one of mother's spoons!"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
it's

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

From this reading "I declare, it's one of mother's spoons!"

Pending verification
leapingnounUS /ˈliːpɪŋ/

a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards

From this reading "You're right, Artie," answered the major, leaping to the ground.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
majoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading "You're right, Artie," answered the major, leaping to the ground.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading "I declare, it's one of mother's spoons!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "I declare, it's one of mother's spoons!"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "I declare, it's one of mother's spoons!"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
rascalnounUS /ˈræskəl/

a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

From this reading That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading "You're right, Artie," answered the major, leaping to the ground.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
spoonsnounUS /spuːnz/

plural of “spoon” — a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food

From this reading "I declare, it's one of mother's spoons!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SUPPLIESnounUS /səˈplaɪz/

plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thrownadjectiveUS /θroʊn/

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "You're right, Artie," answered the major, leaping to the ground.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED "Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were crossing the creek bridge.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
woundednounUS /ˈwuːndɪd/

people who are wounded

From this reading That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after I left him on the bridge bench."

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
You're

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

From this reading "You're right, Artie," answered the major, leaping to the ground.

Pending verification

Chapter 8 of An Undivided Union by Oliver Optic holds 147 sentences, grouped into 30 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 8 of An Undivided Union contain?

Chapter 8 holds 147 sentences of An Undivided Union, unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of An Undivided Union by Oliver Optic exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 147 sentences, grouped into 30 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 8 of An Undivided Union?

Work through the 30 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 30 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 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 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 An Undivided Union

Common questions about reading An Undivided Union by Oliver Optic on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of An Undivided Union?

Yes. All 5307 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #25440 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of An Undivided Union is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #25440, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does An Undivided Union take to read?

About 442 minutes of reading across 1062 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read An Undivided Union section by section

How to work through An Undivided Union section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in An Undivided Union

Words and structures a reader meets early in An Undivided Union, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Gray--on
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Undivided Union; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Undivided Union; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Series
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Undivided Union; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Young
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Undivided Union; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.