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Catriona
Catriona

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of Catriona is here in full — 130 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Catriona
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Hollanda line of windmills birling in the breeze.
It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Catriona

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of Catriona is here in full — 130 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.
Line 2
The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.
Line 3
About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Hollanda line of windmills birling in the breeze.
Line 4
It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.
Line 5
We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

All words in this reading · 86

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.

a

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

About

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

all

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

among

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

an

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

From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

anchor

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

From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

and

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

began

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

besides

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

between

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

billows

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

birling

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

breeze

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

broke

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

From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

burst

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

came

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

From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

ceasing

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

chains

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

considerably

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

contrivances

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

cry

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

daft-like

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

eleven

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

From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

end

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

first

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

for

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

foreign

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

gave

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

had

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

hail

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

half-past

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

From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

harbour

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

From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

HELVOETSLUYS

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

higher

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

Holland

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

I

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

in

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

It

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

knowledge

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

labour

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

leadsman

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

life

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

line

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

look

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

me

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

morning

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

my

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

near

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

new

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

nine

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

now

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

of

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

out

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

outrageously

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

From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

outside

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

From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

pitched

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

From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

place

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

From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

sang

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

scarce

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

sea

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

sense

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

ship

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

shoals

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

shrouds

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

sometimes

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

From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

song

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

squalls

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

sun

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

swelled

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

The

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

these

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

thrid

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

to

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

travel

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

two

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

was

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

way

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

we

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

From this reading The song of the leadsman in the chains was now scarce ceasing, for we thrid all the way among shoals.

weather

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

where

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

From this reading We came to an anchor about half-past eleven, outside the harbour of Helvoetsluys, in a place where the sea sometimes broke and the ship pitched outrageously.

which

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

wind

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

windmills

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

wintry

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

From this reading About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland—a line of windmills birling in the breeze.

world

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

From this reading It was besides my first knowledge of these daft-like contrivances, which gave me a near sense of foreign travel and a new world and life.

worsened

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

From this reading HELVOETSLUYS The weather in the end considerably worsened; the wind sang in the shrouds, the sea swelled higher, and the ship began to labour and cry out among the billows.

Chapter 23 of Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 130 sentences, grouped into 26 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 23 of Catriona contain?

Chapter 23 holds 130 sentences of Catriona, unabridged, divided into 26 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 130 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 23 of Catriona?

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 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 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 Catriona

Common questions about reading Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Catriona?

Yes. All 5183 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #589 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Catriona is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #589, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Catriona take to read?

About 431 minutes of reading across 1037 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Catriona section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 31 chapters of Catriona to begin.

  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 Catriona

Words and structures a reader meets early in Catriona, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Charles
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Catriona; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Baxter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Catriona; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Writer
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Catriona; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Signet
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Catriona; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.