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Brave Old Salt
Brave Old Salt

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of Brave Old Salt is here in full — 127 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Oliver Optic • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Brave Old Salt
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA.
Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.
He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.
But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.
The young officer was perfectly familiar with the routine of his duties.
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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.

Brave Old Salt

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of Brave Old Salt is here in full — 127 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA.
Line 2
Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.
Line 3
He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.
Line 4
But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.
/bʌt ɪn əˈdɪʃən tuː hɪz prəˈfeʃənəl ˈduːtiz hiː hæd ɪn hɪz ˈkiːpɪŋ ˈvæljəbəl bʌt ˈdeɪndʒərəs ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən ʌv wɪtʃ hiː mʌst meɪk ə dʒuːˈdɪʃəs juːs/
Line 5
The young officer was perfectly familiar with the routine of his duties.
/ðə jʌŋ ˈɔːfəsər wɑːz ˈpɜːrfəktli fəˈmɪljər wɪð ðə ruːˈtiːn ʌv hɪz ˈduːtiz/

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.

addition noun US /əˈdɪʃən/

a component that is added to something to improve it

From this reading “But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
heavier adjective US /ˈheviər/

comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading “Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
judicious adjective US /dʒuːˈdɪʃəs/

marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters

From this reading “But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
professional adjective US /prəˈfeʃənəl/

engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood

From this reading “But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
responsibility noun US /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading “Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
routine noun US /ruːˈtiːn/

an unvarying or habitual method or procedure

From this reading “The young officer was perfectly familiar with the routine of his duties.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
steamer noun US /ˈstiːmər/

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading “THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
vessels noun US /ˈvesəlz/

plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading “Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.”

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.

professional duties adjective + noun counted as “professional duty”

In this reading “But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.”

355 times in 426,211 chapters
on board preposition + noun

on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle

In this reading “Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.”

68,280 times in 426,211 chapters
perfectly familiar adverb + adjective

In this reading “The young officer was perfectly familiar with the routine of his duties.”

466 times in 426,211 chapters
heavier responsibility adjective + noun counted as “heavy responsibility”

In this reading “Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.”

274 times in 426,211 chapters
young officer adjective + noun

In this reading “The young officer was perfectly familiar with the routine of his duties.”

5,775 times in 426,211 chapters
in addition preposition + noun

In this reading “But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.”

12,660 times in 426,211 chapters
on the deck preposition + article + noun counted as “on … deck”

In this reading “Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.”

7,830 times in 426,211 chapters
resting upon verb + particle counted as “rest upon”

In this reading “Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.”

5,759 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 63

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 Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/

a component that is added to something to improve it

From this reading But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
boardnounUS /bɔːrd/

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
CHATAUQUA

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

From this reading THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA.

Pending verification
commandnounUS /kəˈmænd/

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dangerousadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪndʒərəs/

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
decknounUS /dek/

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dutiesnounUS /ˈduːtiz/

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/

well known or easily recognized

From this reading The young officer was perfectly familiar with the routine of his duties.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/

destroyed or killed

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
heavieradjectiveUS /ˈheviər/

comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
informationnounUS /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/

a message received and understood

From this reading But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
judiciousadjectiveUS /dʒuːˈdɪʃəs/

marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters

From this reading But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
keepverbUS /kiːp/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
keepingnounUS /ˈkiːpɪŋ/

conformity or harmony

From this reading But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.

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

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
officernounUS /ˈɔːfəsər/

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
perfectlyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrfəktli/

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading The young officer was perfectly familiar with the routine of his duties.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/

engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood

From this reading But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
requiredadjectiveUS /riˈkwaɪərd/

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
restingverbUS /ˈrestɪŋ/

-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/

an unvarying or habitual method or procedure

From this reading The young officer was perfectly familiar with the routine of his duties.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
servedverbUS /sɜːrvd/

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shipverbUS /ʃɪp/

transport commercially

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Somers

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

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Pending verification
STATESnounUS /steɪts/

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stationnounUS /ˈsteɪʃən/

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
STEAMERnounUS /ˈstiːmər/

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

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 THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
UNITEDadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
usenounUS /juːs/

the act of using

From this reading But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
valuableadjectiveUS /ˈvæljəbəl/

having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange

From this reading But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/

plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ward-room

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

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

Pending verification
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
watchverbUS /wɑːtʃ/

look attentively

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading But in addition to his professional duties, he had in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make a judicious use.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the deck.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The young officer was perfectly familiar with the routine of his duties.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 8 of Brave Old Salt by Oliver Optic holds 127 sentences, grouped into 26 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 Brave Old Salt contain?

Chapter 8 holds 127 sentences of Brave Old Salt, unabridged, divided into 26 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of Brave Old Salt by Oliver Optic exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 127 sentences, grouped into 26 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 Brave Old Salt?

Work through the 26 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 26 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 Brave Old Salt

Common questions about reading Brave Old Salt by Oliver Optic on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Brave Old Salt?

Yes. All 4388 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #37907 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Brave Old Salt is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #37907, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Brave Old Salt take to read?

About 365 minutes of reading across 878 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Brave Old Salt section by section

How to work through Brave Old Salt 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 Brave Old Salt

Words and structures a reader meets early in Brave Old Salt, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Quarter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Brave Old Salt; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Story
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Brave Old Salt; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Great
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Brave Old Salt; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rebellion
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Brave Old Salt; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.