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Drift from Two Shores
Drift from Two Shores

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Drift from Two Shores is here in full — 62 sentences across 13 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/12 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.
There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.
For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.
The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.
Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.
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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.

Drift from Two Shores

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Drift from Two Shores 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
Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.
Line 2
There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.
Line 3
For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.
/fɔːr jɪrz ðə treɪlz ˈliːdɪŋ tuː ðer kæmp wɜːr mɑːrkt baɪ ðə boʊnz ʌv ˈtiːmstərz ənd ˈbroʊkən ˈwæɡənz ənd ðə triːz wɜːr dekt wɪð ðə ˈdraɪɪŋ skælp lɑːks ʌv ˈwɪmən ənd ˈtʃɪldrən/
Line 4
The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.
/ðə ˈboʊldɪst ʌv ˈmɪləteri ˈliːdərz ˈhezɪteɪtɪd tuː əˈtæk ðem ɪn ðer ˈfɔːrtrəsɪz ənd ˈpruːdəntli left ðə ˈskælpɪŋ naɪvz ˈraɪfəlz ˈpaʊdər ənd ʃɑːt prəˈvaɪdɪd baɪ ə pəˈtɜːrnəl ˈɡʌvərmənt fɔːr ðer ˈwelfer ˈlaɪɪŋ ɑːn ðə ɡraʊnd ə fjuː maɪlz frʌm ðer ɪnˈkæmpmɪnt wɪð ðə rɪˈkwest ðæt ðeɪ wɜːr nɑːt tuː biː juːzd ənˈtɪl ðə ˈmɪləteri hæd ˈseɪfli rɪˈtaɪrd/
Line 5
Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

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.

Bibles noun US /ˈbaɪbəlz/

plural of “bible” — the sacred writings of the Christian religions

From this reading “There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.”

boldest adjective US /ˈboʊldɪst/

superlative of “bold” — fearless and daring

From this reading “The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.”

depredations noun US /ˌdeprəˈdeɪʃənz/

plural of “depredation” — an act of plundering and pillaging and marauding

From this reading “Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.”

fortresses noun US /ˈfɔːrtrəsɪz/

plural of “fortress” — a fortified defensive structure

From this reading “The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.”

incursion noun US /ˌɪnˈkɜːrʒən/

the act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers)

From this reading “Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.”

prudently adverb US /ˈpruːdəntli/

in a prudent manner

From this reading “The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.”

scalping verb US /ˈskælpɪŋ/

-ing form of “scalp” — sell illegally, as on the black market

From this reading “The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.”

teamsters noun US /ˈtiːmstərz/

plural of “teamster” — the driver of a team of horses doing hauling

From this reading “For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.”

All words in this reading · 104

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 There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

AgainadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

askverbUS /æsk/

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

attacknounUS /əˈtæk/

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

bandnounUS /bænd/

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

BiblesnounUS /ˈbaɪbəlz/

plural of “bible” — the sacred writings of the Christian religions

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/

plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

boldestadjectiveUS /ˈboʊldɪst/

superlative of “bold” — fearless and daring

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

bonesnounUS /boʊnz/

(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

campnounUS /kæmp/

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/

a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

deckedverbUS /dekt/

past form of “deck” — be beautiful to look at

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

depredationsnounUS /ˌdeprəˈdeɪʃənz/

plural of “depredation” — an act of plundering and pillaging and marauding

From this reading Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

dryingverbUS /ˈdraɪɪŋ/

-ing form of “dry” — remove the moisture from and make dry

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

encampmentnounUS /ɪnˈkæmpmɪnt/

a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

FeetnounUS /fiːt/

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

fortressesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtrəsɪz/

plural of “fortress” — a fortified defensive structure

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

governmentnounUS /ˈɡʌvərmənt/

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

heightsnounUS /haɪts/

a high place

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

hesitatedverbUS /ˈhezɪteɪtɪd/

past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

hieverb

move hurridly

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

hippogriff

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

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

HithertoadverbUS /ˈhɪðɜːrˈtuː/

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

inaccessibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəkˈsesəbəl/

capable of being reached only with great difficulty or not at all

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

incursionnounUS /ˌɪnˈkɜːrʒən/

the act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers)

From this reading Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

knivesnounUS /naɪvz/

plural of “knife” — edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

Knock-knees

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

From this reading Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/

apprehended with certainty

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

leadersnounUS /ˈliːdərz/

the body of people who lead a group

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

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 The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/

small in range or scope

From this reading Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

locksnounUS /lɑːks/

plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

lyingnounUS /ˈlaɪɪŋ/

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

markedadjectiveUS /mɑːrkt/

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

milesnounUS /maɪlz/

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

militaryadjectiveUS /ˈmɪləteri/

of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

mountverbUS /maʊnt/

attach to a support

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

MountainsnounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/

occurring from time to time

From this reading Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

paternaladjectiveUS /pəˈtɜːrnəl/

belonging to or inherited from one's father

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

PigeonnounUS /ˈpɪdʒən/

wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

powdernounUS /ˈpaʊdər/

a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

providedverbUS /prəˈvaɪdɪd/

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

prudentlyadverbUS /ˈpruːdəntli/

in a prudent manner

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

requestverbUS /rɪˈkwest/

express the need or desire for

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

resistedverbUS /rɪˈzɪstɪd/

past form of “resist” — elude, especially in a baffling way

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

retiredadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrd/

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/

plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/

be equal to in quality or ability

From this reading Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

RockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

safelyadverbUS /ˈseɪfli/

with safety; in a safe manner

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

savagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/

plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

scalpnounUS /skælp/

the skin that covers the top of the head

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

scalpingverbUS /ˈskælpɪŋ/

-ing form of “scalp” — sell illegally, as on the black market

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

shotnounUS /ʃɑːt/

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

teamstersnounUS /ˈtiːmstərz/

plural of “teamster” — the driver of a team of horses doing hauling

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

territorynounUS /ˈterɪtɔːri/

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

trailsnounUS /treɪlz/

plural of “trail” — a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

treesnounUS /triːz/

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

tribenounUS /traɪb/

a social division of (usually preliterate) people

From this reading Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

untamable

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

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading Hitherto, save an occasional incursion into the territory of the "Knock-knees," a rival tribe, they had limited their depredations to the vicinity.

wagonsnounUS /ˈwæɡənz/

plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

welfarenounUS /ˈwelfer/

governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need

From this reading The boldest of military leaders hesitated to attack them in their fortresses, and prudently left the scalping knives, rifles, powder, and shot, provided by a paternal government for their welfare, lying on the ground a few miles from their encampment, with the request that they were not to be used until the military had safely retired.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading For years the trails leading to their camp were marked by the bones of teamsters and broken wagons, and the trees were decked with the drying scalp locks of women and children.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading There, for years, a band of wild and untamable savages, known as the "Pigeon Feet," had resisted the blankets and Bibles of civilization.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Again I must ask my young friends to mount my hippogriff and hie with me to the almost inaccessible heights of the Rocky Mountains.

Chapter 3 of Drift from Two Shores by Bret Harte holds 62 sentences, grouped into 13 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 3 of Drift from Two Shores contain?

Chapter 3 holds 62 sentences of Drift from Two Shores, unabridged, divided into 13 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of Drift from Two Shores by Bret Harte exactly as it stands in the public-domain 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 3 of Drift from Two Shores?

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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 Drift from Two Shores

Common questions about reading Drift from Two Shores by Bret Harte on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Drift from Two Shores?

Yes. All 1437 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2179 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Drift from Two Shores is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2179, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Drift from Two Shores take to read?

About 119 minutes of reading across 288 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Drift from Two Shores section by section

How to work through Drift from Two Shores section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 5 chapters of Drift from Two Shores 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 Drift from Two Shores

Words and structures a reader meets early in Drift from Two Shores, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Quiet
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Drift from Two Shores; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
England
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Drift from Two Shores; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Village
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Drift from Two Shores; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Nowhere
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Drift from Two Shores; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.