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Blake's Burden
Blake's Burden

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for Blake's Burden
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.
When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.
"I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.
"You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.
The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Blake's Burden

Chapter IX

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.
Line 2
When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.
Line 3
"I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.
Line 4
"You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.
Line 5
The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.”

Help noun US /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “"You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.”

All words in this reading · 91

Every word is available to listen to. 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 CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

afterwards

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

any

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

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

bad

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

Blake

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

boys

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

From this reading The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.

breakfast

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

bush

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.

canoe

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

From this reading "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.

CLARKE

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

country

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

directions

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

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

easier

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

From this reading "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.

far

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

From this reading The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.

farmer

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

find

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

From this reading "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

give

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

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

go

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

From this reading The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.

ground

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

Harding

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

hire

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

From this reading "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.

hotel

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

Indian

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

From this reading "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

it's

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

lakes

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

liked

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

From this reading The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

MAKES

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

mentioned

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

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

muskegs

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

night

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

objective

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

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

only

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.

pine

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

reaching

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

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

remarkably

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

river

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

From this reading "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.

rolling

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

rough

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

said

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

sat

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

seldom

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

From this reading The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.

small

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.

some

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

spent

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

strike

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

From this reading "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.

SUGGESTION

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

table

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

talking

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

thick

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

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

things

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

From this reading "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.

thoughtful

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

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

two

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

From this reading "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.

up

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

From this reading The boys here seldom go up so far, but Clarke could help you if he liked.

verandah

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

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When they mentioned their first objective point and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it he looked thoughtful.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading CLARKE MAKES A SUGGESTION At breakfast next morning Blake and Harding found the farmer, who had spent the night at the hotel, at their table and afterwards sat for a time on the verandah talking to him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two and a canoe when you strike the river.