Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Deep Waters
Deep Waters

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Deep Waters is here in full — 452 sentences across 91 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Deep Waters
Context Illustration Reading 1/90 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A sailormansaid the night-watchman, musinglya sailorman is like a fish he is safest when e is at sea.
When a fish comes ashore it is in for trouble, and so is a sailorman.
One poor chap I knew ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away is character at once.
And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit is ead off.
Then look at the trouble they get in with their money!
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Deep Waters

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Deep Waters is here in full — 452 sentences across 91 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/90 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A sailormansaid the night-watchman, musinglya sailorman is like a fish he is safest whene is at sea.
Line 2
When a fish comes ashore it is in for trouble, and so is a sailorman.
Line 3
One poor chap I knewardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking awayis character at once.
Line 4
And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bitisead off.
Line 5
Then look at the trouble they get in with their money!
/ðen lʊk æt ðə ˈtrʌbəl ðeɪ ɡet ɪn wɪð ðer ˈmʌni/

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.

ashore adverb US /əˈʃɔːr/

towards the shore from the water

From this reading “When a fish comes ashore it is in for trouble, and so is a sailorman.”

bit noun US /bɪt/

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading “And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit ’is ’ead off.”

chap noun US /tʃæp/

a boy or man

From this reading “One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.”

court noun US /kɔːrt/

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading “One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.”

fish noun US /fɪʃ/

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading “A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.”

magistrate noun US /ˈmædʒəstreɪt/

a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)

From this reading “And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit ’is ’ead off.”

safest adjective US /ˈseɪfəst/

superlative of “safe” — free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading “A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.”

Solomon proper noun US /ˈsɒl.ə.mən/

A legendary king renowned for his wisdom and fabulous hidden mines.

From this reading “And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit ’is ’ead off.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When a fish comes ashore it is in for trouble, and so is a sailorman.

ardly

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

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

ashoreadverbUS /əˈʃɔːr/

towards the shore from the water

From this reading When a fish comes ashore it is in for trouble, and so is a sailorman.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

bitnounUS /bɪt/

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit ’is ’ead off.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

chapnounUS /tʃæp/

a boy or man

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

comesnounUS /kʌmz/

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading When a fish comes ashore it is in for trouble, and so is a sailorman.

courtnounUS /kɔːrt/

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

enounUS /iː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

ead

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

From this reading And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit ’is ’ead off.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

fishnounUS /fɪʃ/

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When a fish comes ashore it is in for trouble, and so is a sailorman.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Then look at the trouble they get in with their money!

gettingnounUS /ˈɡetɪŋ/

the act of acquiring something

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When a fish comes ashore it is in for trouble, and so is a sailorman.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When a fish comes ashore it is in for trouble, and so is a sailorman.

knewverbUS /nuː/

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

lessadverbUS /les/

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Then look at the trouble they get in with their money!

magistratenounUS /ˈmædʒəstreɪt/

a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)

From this reading And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit ’is ’ead off.

marriedadjectiveUS /ˈmerid/

joined in matrimony

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading Then look at the trouble they get in with their money!

musinglyadverb

in a reflective manner

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

nearadverbUS /nɪr/

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit ’is ’ead off.

night-watchman

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

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit ’is ’ead off.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

pooradjectiveUS /puːr/

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit ’is ’ead off.

safestadjectiveUS /ˈseɪfəst/

superlative of “safe” — free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

sailorman

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

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

seanounUS /siː/

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

sixnounUS /sɪks/

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading When a fish comes ashore it is in for trouble, and so is a sailorman.

Solomonproper nounUS /ˈsɒl.ə.mən/

A legendary king renowned for his wisdom and fabulous hidden mines.

From this reading And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit ’is ’ead off.

spokenounUS /spoʊk/

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit ’is ’ead off.

takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Then look at the trouble they get in with their money!

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then look at the trouble they get in with their money!

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Then look at the trouble they get in with their money!

troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/

a source of difficulty

From this reading When a fish comes ashore it is in for trouble, and so is a sailorman.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading And when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit ’is ’ead off.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading A sailorman—said the night-watchman, musingly—a sailorman is like a fish he is safest when ’e is at sea.

wimmen

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

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then look at the trouble they get in with their money!

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading One poor chap I knew ’ardly ever came ashore without getting married; and when he was found out there was no less than six wimmen in the court all taking away ’is character at once.

Chapter 1 of Deep Waters by W. W. (William Wymark) Jacobs holds 452 sentences, grouped into 91 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 1 of Deep Waters contain?

Chapter 1 holds 452 sentences of Deep Waters, unabridged, divided into 91 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Deep Waters by W. W. (William Wymark) Jacobs exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 452 sentences, grouped into 91 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 1 of Deep Waters?

Work through the 91 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 91 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Deep Waters

Common questions about reading Deep Waters by W. W. (William Wymark) Jacobs on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Deep Waters?

Yes. All 3129 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #11482 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Deep Waters is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #11482, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Deep Waters take to read?

About 260 minutes of reading across 626 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Deep Waters section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 7 chapters of Deep Waters 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 Deep Waters

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

Sailorman
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Deep Waters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Night-watchman
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Deep Waters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Musingly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Deep Waters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Safest
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Deep Waters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.