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Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S.
Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S.

Chapter XXX

Chapter 30 of Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. is here in full — 157 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S.
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.
Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.
"The lieutenant going the rounds," whispered Fuller.
"Fancy the fool taking a lantern with him.
Wonder if he's afraid of the dark?"
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.

Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S.

Chapter XXX

Chapter 30 of Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. is here in full — 157 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.
Line 2
Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.
Line 3
"The lieutenant going the rounds," whispered Fuller.
/ðə luːˈtenənt ˈɡoʊɪŋ ðə raʊndz ˈwɪspərd ˈfʊlər/
Line 4
"Fancy the fool taking a lantern with him.
/ˈfænsi ðə fuːl ˈteɪkɪŋ ə ˈlæntərn wɪð hɪm/
Line 5
Wonder if he's afraid of the dark?"

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.

bayonets noun US /ˈbeɪənets/

plural of “bayonet” — a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon

From this reading “THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bleak adjective US /bliːk/

offering little or no hope

From this reading “THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
distorted adjective US /dɪˈstɔːrtəd/

so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly

From this reading “Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Fuller noun US /ˈfʊlər/

United States jurist and chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1833-1910)

From this reading “"The lieutenant going the rounds," whispered Fuller.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
glittered verb US /ˈɡlɪtərd/

past form of “glitter” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading “THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rounds noun US /raʊndz/

plural of “round” — a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading “"The lieutenant going the rounds," whispered Fuller.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sentries noun US /ˈsentriz/

plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading “THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sheltering verb US /ˈʃeltərɪŋ/

-ing form of “shelter” — provide shelter for

From this reading “THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

BY THE RIVER preposition + article + noun counted as “by … river”

In this reading “THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.”

4,270 times in 225,867 chapters

All words in this reading · 56

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 "Fancy the fool taking a lantern with him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
afraidadjectiveUS /əˈfreɪd/

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading Wonder if he's afraid of the dark?"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BARNnounUS /bɑːrn/

an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bayonetsnounUS /ˈbeɪənets/

plural of “bayonet” — a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bleakadjectiveUS /bliːk/

offering little or no hope

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BYprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
cross-roads

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

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Pending verification
darknounUS /dɑːrk/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Wonder if he's afraid of the dark?"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
distortedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɔːrtəd/

so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly

From this reading Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FancynounUS /ˈfænsi/

something many people believe that is false

From this reading "Fancy the fool taking a lantern with him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
foolnounUS /fuːl/

a person who lacks good judgment

From this reading "Fancy the fool taking a lantern with him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fro

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

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Pending verification
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
FullernounUS /ˈfʊlər/

United States jurist and chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1833-1910)

From this reading "The lieutenant going the rounds," whispered Fuller.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/

very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

From this reading Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/

be shiny, as if wet

From this reading Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
glitteredverbUS /ˈɡlɪtərd/

past form of “glitter” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading "The lieutenant going the rounds," whispered Fuller.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
he's

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

From this reading Wonder if he's afraid of the dark?"

Pending verification
himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading "Fancy the fool taking a lantern with him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Wonder if he's afraid of the dark?"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
increasedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːst/

made greater in size or amount or degree

From this reading Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
intensitynounUS /ɪnˈtensəti/

the amount of energy transmitted (as by acoustic or electromagnetic radiation)

From this reading Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/

light in a transparent protective case

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lieutenantnounUS /luːˈtenənt/

a commissioned military officer

From this reading "The lieutenant going the rounds," whispered Fuller.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
pacedverbUS /peɪst/

past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
poplars

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

From this reading Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.

Pending verification
PresentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/

in the near future

From this reading Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rainnounUS /reɪn/

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RIVERnounUS /ˈrɪvər/

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
road-side

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

From this reading Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.

Pending verification
roundsnounUS /raʊndz/

plural of “round” — a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading "The lieutenant going the rounds," whispered Fuller.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sentriesnounUS /ˈsentriz/

plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shelteringverbUS /ˈʃeltərɪŋ/

-ing form of “shelter” — provide shelter for

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stolidlyadverb

in a stolid manner

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading "Fancy the fool taking a lantern with him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
throwingverbUS /ˈθroʊɪŋ/

-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Presently the gleam increased in intensity, throwing distorted shadows upon the gaunt poplars of the road-side.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whisperedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪspərd/

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading "The lieutenant going the rounds," whispered Fuller.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading THE BARN BY THE RIVER THE distant light from the lantern glittered on the bayonets of the sentries, who, sheltering as best they might from the rain, paced stolidly to and fro at the bleak cross-roads.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Fancy the fool taking a lantern with him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading Wonder if he's afraid of the dark?"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 30 of Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman holds 157 sentences, grouped into 32 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 30 of Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. contain?

Chapter 30 holds 157 sentences of Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S., unabridged, divided into 32 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 30 of Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 157 sentences, grouped into 32 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 30 of Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S.?

Work through the 32 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 32 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 30 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 30 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 Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S.

Common questions about reading Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S.?

Yes. All 5519 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #35362 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #35362, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. take to read?

About 459 minutes of reading across 1104 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. section by section

How to work through Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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  2. Read one section

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  3. Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S.

Words and structures a reader meets early in Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S., each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Bells
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S.; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S.; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Watch
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S.; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Somewhere
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S.; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.