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Four Afloat
Four Afloat

Chapter VIII · Tells How They Outwitted the Captain of the _Henry Nellis_

Chapter VIII of Four Afloat, “Tells How They Outwitted the Captain of the _Henry Nellis_,” is here in full — 175 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Ralph Henry Barbour • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Four Afloat
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“What are you doing here?” demanded Nelson sternly.
His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.
But the other’s first words disillusioned him.
“Don’t you tell him!
Don’t you, please, sir!” begged the boy in hoarse whispers.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Four Afloat

Chapter VIII · Tells How They Outwitted the Captain of the _Henry Nellis_

Chapter VIII of Four Afloat, “Tells How They Outwitted the Captain of the _Henry Nellis_,” is here in full — 175 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“What are you doing here?” demanded Nelson sternly.
/wʌt ɑːr juː ˈduːɪŋ hiːr dɪˈmændəd ˈnelsən ˈstɜːrnli/
Line 2
His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.
/hɪz fɜːrst θɔːt wɑːz ðæt ðə bɔɪ hæd sniːkt ˈɪntuː ðə ˈkæbən ˈdʊrɪŋ ðer ˈæbsəns bent ɑːn θeft ənd ðæt ɑːn ˈhiːrɪŋ ðer rɪˈtɜːrn hiː hæd əˈtemptɪd tuː haɪd/
Line 3
But the other’s first words disillusioned him.
Line 4
“Don’t you tell him!
Line 5
Don’t you, please, sir!” begged the boy in hoarse whispers.

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.

attempted adjective US /əˈtemptɪd/

tried unsuccessfully

From this reading “His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
disillusioned adjective US /ˌdɪsɪˈluːʒənd/

freed from illusion

From this reading “But the other’s first words disillusioned him.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hoarse adjective US /hɔːrs/

deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion

From this reading “Don’t you, please, sir!” begged the boy in hoarse whispers.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Nelson noun US /ˈnelsən/

English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805)

From this reading ““What are you doing here?” demanded Nelson sternly.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sneaked verb US /sniːkt/

past form of “sneak” — to go stealthily or furtively

From this reading “His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sternly adverb US /ˈstɜːrnli/

with sternness; in a severe manner

From this reading ““What are you doing here?” demanded Nelson sternly.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
theft noun US /θeft/

the act of taking something from someone unlawfully

From this reading “His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whispers noun US /ˈwɪspərz/

plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading “Don’t you, please, sir!” begged the boy in hoarse whispers.”

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.

hoarse whispers adjective + noun counted as “hoarse whisper”

In this reading “Don’t you, please, sir!” begged the boy in hoarse whispers.”

1,190 times in 426,211 chapters
into the cabin preposition + article + noun counted as “into … cabin”

In this reading “His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.”

3,433 times in 426,211 chapters
sneaked into verb + particle counted as “sneak into”

In this reading “His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.”

321 times in 426,211 chapters
on hearing preposition + noun

In this reading “His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.”

7,180 times in 426,211 chapters
first words adjective + noun

In this reading “But the other’s first words disillusioned him.”

3,820 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 45

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.

absencenounUS /ˈæbsəns/

the state of being absent

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading “What are you doing here?” demanded Nelson sternly.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
attemptedadjectiveUS /əˈtemptɪd/

tried unsuccessfully

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beggedverbUS /beɡd/

inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat

From this reading Don’t you, please, sir!” begged the boy in hoarse whispers.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bentnounUS /bent/

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
boynounUS /bɔɪ/

a youthful male person

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the other’s first words disillusioned him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
cabinnounUS /ˈkæbən/

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
demandedverbUS /dɪˈmændəd/

past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully

From this reading “What are you doing here?” demanded Nelson sternly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
disillusionedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsɪˈluːʒənd/

freed from illusion

From this reading But the other’s first words disillusioned him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading “What are you doing here?” demanded Nelson sternly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Don't

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

From this reading “Don’t you tell him!

Pending verification
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hearingnounUS /ˈhiːrɪŋ/

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading “What are you doing here?” demanded Nelson sternly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hideverbUS /haɪd/

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading But the other’s first words disillusioned him.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/

deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion

From this reading Don’t you, please, sir!” begged the boy in hoarse whispers.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Don’t you, please, sir!” begged the boy in hoarse whispers.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
NelsonnounUS /ˈnelsən/

English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805)

From this reading “What are you doing here?” demanded Nelson sternly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
other's

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

From this reading But the other’s first words disillusioned him.

Pending verification
pleaseverbUS /pliːz/

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading Don’t you, please, sir!” begged the boy in hoarse whispers.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading Don’t you, please, sir!” begged the boy in hoarse whispers.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sneakedverbUS /sniːkt/

past form of “sneak” — to go stealthily or furtively

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sternlyadverbUS /ˈstɜːrnli/

with sternness; in a severe manner

From this reading “What are you doing here?” demanded Nelson sternly.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading “Don’t you tell him!

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

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 His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theftnounUS /θeft/

the act of taking something from someone unlawfully

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading His first thought was that the boy had sneaked into the cabin during their absence, bent on theft, and that on hearing their return he had attempted to hide.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What are you doing here?” demanded Nelson sternly.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whispersnounUS /ˈwɪspərz/

plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading Don’t you, please, sir!” begged the boy in hoarse whispers.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading But the other’s first words disillusioned him.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “What are you doing here?” demanded Nelson sternly.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 8 of Four Afloat by Ralph Henry Barbour holds 175 sentences, grouped into 35 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 8 of Four Afloat contain?

Chapter 8 holds 175 sentences of Four Afloat, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of Four Afloat by Ralph Henry Barbour exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 175 sentences, grouped into 35 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 8 of Four Afloat?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 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 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 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 Four Afloat

Common questions about reading Four Afloat by Ralph Henry Barbour on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Four Afloat?

Yes. All 4967 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #37021 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Four Afloat is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #37021, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Four Afloat take to read?

About 413 minutes of reading across 994 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Four Afloat section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 24 chapters of Four Afloat 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 Four Afloat

Words and structures a reader meets early in Four Afloat, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Pu-pu-pu-pu
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four Afloat; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Quite
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four Afloat; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Tommy
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four Afloat; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Soothingly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four Afloat; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.