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Donalblane of Darien
Donalblane of Darien

Chapter XII

Chapter 12 of Donalblane of Darien is here in full — 62 sentences across 13 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By J. Macdonald (James Macdonald) Oxley • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Donalblane of Darien
Context Illustration Reading 1/12 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
NEW YORK AND HOME.
The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.
Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.
Donalblane quite approved of this plan.
He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Donalblane of Darien

Chapter XII

Chapter 12 of Donalblane of Darien is here in full — 62 sentences across 13 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/12 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
NEW YORK AND HOME.
/nuː jɔːrk ənd hoʊm/
Line 2
The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.
/ðə ʃɪps wɜːr ɪn noʊ kənˈdɪʃən tuː krɔːs ðə ətˈlæntɪk ənd baɪ ðə ˈrɔɪəl dɪˈkriː ðə ˈbrɪtɪʃ west ˈɪndiz wɜːr kloʊzd əˈɡenst ðem waɪl ʌv kɔːrs ðeɪ der nɑːt trʌst ðə ˈmɜːrsi ʌv ðə ˈspænjərdz/
Line 3
Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.
/ðer ˈoʊnli ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv ˈðerfɔːr wɑːz tuː meɪk ðer weɪ ʌp tuː nuː jɔːrk ɪn ðə hoʊp ʌv ˈfaɪndɪŋ ðer weɪ bæk tuː ˈskɑːtlənd frʌm ðer ˈleɪtər ɑːn/
Line 4
Donalblane quite approved of this plan.
Line 5
He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.
/hiː hæd hæd kwaɪt ɪˈnʌf ʌv saʊθ əˈmerəkə tuː læst hɪm fɔːr ðə rest ʌv hɪz laɪf ənd naʊ ðæt hiː hæd left ɪt wɑːz kwaɪt klɪr ɪn hɪz maɪnd æz tuː ˈnevər rɪˈtɜːrnɪŋ/

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.

alternative adjective US /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv/

serving or used in place of another

From this reading “Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
approved adjective US /əˈpruːvd/

established by authority; given authoritative approval

From this reading “Donalblane quite approved of this plan.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Atlantic noun US /ətˈlæntɪk/

the 2nd largest ocean; separates North and South America on the west from Europe and Africa on the east

From this reading “The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
decree verb US /dɪˈkriː/

issue a decree

From this reading “The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Indies noun US /ˈɪndiz/

plural of “indie” — a pop group not affiliated with a major record company

From this reading “The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Scotland noun US /ˈskɑːtlənd/

one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts

From this reading “Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ships noun US /ʃɪps/

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading “The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Spaniards noun US /ˈspænjərdz/

plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain

From this reading “The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.”

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.

only alternative adverb + adjective

In this reading “Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.”

404 times in 225,867 chapters
of course preposition + noun

as might be expected

In this reading “The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.”

307,822 times in 225,867 chapters
rest of verb + particle

In this reading “He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.”

80,160 times in 225,867 chapters

All words in this reading · 72

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.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
alternativeadjectiveUS /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv/

serving or used in place of another

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AmericanounUS /əˈmerəkə/

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading NEW YORK AND HOME.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
approvedadjectiveUS /əˈpruːvd/

established by authority; given authoritative approval

From this reading Donalblane quite approved of this plan.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AtlanticnounUS /ətˈlæntɪk/

the 2nd largest ocean; separates North and South America on the west from Europe and Africa on the east

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BritishnounUS /ˈbrɪtɪʃ/

the people of Great Britain

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
clearverbUS /klɪr/

rid of obstructions

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
conditionnounUS /kənˈdɪʃən/

a state at a particular time

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
crossverbUS /krɔːs/

travel across or pass over

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dareverbUS /der/

take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
decreeverbUS /dɪˈkriː/

issue a decree

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Donalblane

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

From this reading Donalblane quite approved of this plan.

Pending verification
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
findingnounUS /ˈfaɪndɪŋ/

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HOMEnounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading NEW YORK AND HOME.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hopenounUS /hoʊp/

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IndiesnounUS /ˈɪndiz/

plural of “indie” — a pop group not affiliated with a major record company

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mercynounUS /ˈmɜːrsi/

leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

Velmora curated lexicon
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NEWadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading NEW YORK AND HOME.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
planverbUS /plæn/

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading Donalblane quite approved of this plan.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Donalblane quite approved of this plan.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
returningadjectiveUS /rɪˈtɜːrnɪŋ/

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ScotlandnounUS /ˈskɑːtlənd/

one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shipsnounUS /ʃɪps/

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SouthnounUS /saʊθ/

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SpaniardsnounUS /ˈspænjərdz/

plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had had quite enough of South America to last him for the rest of his life, and, now that he had left, it was quite clear in his mind as to never returning.

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 ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Donalblane quite approved of this plan.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
trustnounUS /trʌst/

something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Their only alternative, therefore, was to make their way up to New York in the hope of finding their way back to Scotland from there later on.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WestnounUS /west/

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading The ships were in no condition to cross the Atlantic, and by the royal decree the British West Indies were closed against them, while, of course, they dare not trust the mercy of the Spaniards.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
YORKnounUS /jɔːrk/

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading NEW YORK AND HOME.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 12 of Donalblane of Darien by J. Macdonald (James Macdonald) Oxley holds 62 sentences, grouped into 13 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 12 of Donalblane of Darien contain?

Chapter 12 holds 62 sentences of Donalblane of Darien, unabridged, divided into 13 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of Donalblane of Darien by J. Macdonald (James Macdonald) Oxley exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 62 sentences, grouped into 13 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 12 of Donalblane of Darien?

Work through the 13 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 13 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 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 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 Donalblane of Darien

Common questions about reading Donalblane of Darien by J. Macdonald (James Macdonald) Oxley on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Donalblane of Darien?

Yes. All 756 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #33722 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Donalblane of Darien is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #33722, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Donalblane of Darien take to read?

About 63 minutes of reading across 152 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Donalblane of Darien section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 12 chapters of Donalblane of Darien 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 Donalblane of Darien

Words and structures a reader meets early in Donalblane of Darien, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Norman's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Donalblane of Darien; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Nugget
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Donalblane of Darien; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Swing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Donalblane of Darien; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Illustrated
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Donalblane of Darien; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.