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Down the River
Down the River

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for Down the River
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DOWN THE RIVER.
First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.
I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.
I shall not soon forget the emotions which agitated me.
Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.
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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.

Down the River

Chapter XVI

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

Line 1
DOWN THE RIVER.
Line 2
First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.
Line 3
I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.
Line 4
I shall not soon forget the emotions which agitated me.
Line 5
Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

Learner Dictionary

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

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “I shall not soon forget the emotions which agitated me.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I shall not soon forget the emotions which agitated me.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.”

All words in this reading · 89

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 I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.

agitated

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

From this reading I shall not soon forget the emotions which agitated me.

always

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

back

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

barn

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

bed

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

blankets

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

bundles

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

clothing

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

comforters

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

DOWN

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

From this reading DOWN THE RIVER.

dragging

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

emotions

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

From this reading I shall not soon forget the emotions which agitated me.

eventful

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

exciting

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

FirstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

Flora's

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.

forget

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

From this reading I shall not soon forget the emotions which agitated me.

full

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

going

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

From this reading I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.

Gwynn

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.

high

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

home

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

From this reading I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

instant

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

interest

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

known

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

From this reading I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

leaving

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

From this reading I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.

led

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

looms

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I shall not soon forget the emotions which agitated me.

moment

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

most

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I shall not soon forget the emotions which agitated me.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.

only

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

From this reading I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

piled

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

procession

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

raft

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

From this reading I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.

rear

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

RIVER

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

From this reading DOWN THE RIVER.

seated

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading I shall not soon forget the emotions which agitated me.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

sheets

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

Sim

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

soon

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

From this reading I shall not soon forget the emotions which agitated me.

steps

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

strange

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

From this reading I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.

struggling

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading DOWN THE RIVER.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

up

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

voyage

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

From this reading I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.

wagon

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

water

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

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

way

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

wheelbarrow

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

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading I shall not soon forget the emotions which agitated me.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Sim led the way with the wheelbarrow piled high with Flora's bed, bundles of clothing, blankets, sheets, and comforters, while I brought up the rear, dragging Flora's wagon, in which she was seated.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading First steps are always full of interest, at least to those who take them; and, as I look back upon the eventful time when our little procession left the back of the barn, it looms up as the most exciting moment of my life, if I except the instant when I was struggling with Sim Gwynn in the water.

years

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

From this reading I was leaving the only home I had known for years, and was going on a strange voyage down the river on a raft.