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Dave Porter in the Gold Fields
Dave Porter in the Gold Fields

Chapter XXV

Cover illustration for Dave Porter in the Gold Fields
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!
It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
"We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
"An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.
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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.

Dave Porter in the Gold Fields

Chapter XXV

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!
Line 2
It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
Line 3
What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
Line 4
"We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
Line 5
"An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.

Learner Dictionary

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

Added noun US /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “"We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “"We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.”

Cavern noun US /ˈkæv.ərn/

A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.

From this reading “"We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.”

MINE pronoun US /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.”

Stopped noun US /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.”

Terrible noun US /ˈterrible/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.”

All words in this reading · 76

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 It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

Abe

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

addednounUS /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.

affairs

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

almost

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

back

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

backbone

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?

beating

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

Blower

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

cave

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

From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?

cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/

A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

chill

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

condition

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

contemplate

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

Dave's

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

don't

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

From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.

down

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

find

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

From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?

FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!

gazed

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

go

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

heart

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

instant

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

LANDSLIDE

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

From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!

like

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

lose

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

From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.

Lost

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

From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!

low

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

MINEpronounUS /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!

miner

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

From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.

nuther

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

From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

old

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

From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.

other

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

out

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

From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

pause

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

rocky

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

From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?

said

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

SEARCHING

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

From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

stoppednounUS /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

swept

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?

three

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

unable

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

From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?

underground

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

From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!

voice

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

walls

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

want

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

From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.

way

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

From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.

We'll

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.