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John Barleycorn
John Barleycorn

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of John Barleycorn is here in full — 127 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 17 of John Barleycorn by Jack London holds 127 sentences, grouped into 26 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 17 of John Barleycorn contain?

Chapter 17 holds 127 sentences of John Barleycorn, unabridged, divided into 26 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of John Barleycorn by Jack London exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 127 sentences, grouped into 26 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 17 of John Barleycorn?

Work through the 26 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 26 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 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 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 John Barleycorn

Common questions about reading John Barleycorn by Jack London on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of John Barleycorn?

Yes. All 3987 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #318 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of John Barleycorn is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #318, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does John Barleycorn take to read?

About 332 minutes of reading across 798 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read John Barleycorn section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 39 chapters of John Barleycorn 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 John Barleycorn

Words and structures a reader meets early in John Barleycorn, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Election
A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
California
A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Afternoon
A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ridden
A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for John Barleycorn
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.
Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

John Barleycorn

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of John Barleycorn is here in full — 127 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
Line 2
It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.
Line 3
Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
Line 4
I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
Line 5
And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
All words in this reading · 90

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

affairs

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

and

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

arm

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

ashore

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

at

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

Barleycorn

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

be

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

big

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

From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.

Bonin

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

but

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

by

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

catch

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

From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.

coming

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

From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.

day

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

days

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

devoted

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

did

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

drink

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

From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.

eager

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

evening

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

first

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

fogs

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

for

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

from

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

frosty

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

heavy

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

From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.

here

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

hid

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

his

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

hundred

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

hunted

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

I

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

in

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

From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.

into

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

Islands

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

it

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

Japan

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

John

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

land

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

life

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

men

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

mitten

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

my

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

North

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

not

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

of

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

From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.

or

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

From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.

organised

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

our

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

From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.

out

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

pay-day

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

From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.

pick

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

raced

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

reached

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

sailed

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

From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.

sailors

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

salt

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

From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.

seal-herd

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

see

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

ship's

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

skins

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

From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.

south

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

From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.

sun

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

system

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

the

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

Then

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

From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.

things

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

thought

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

From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.

through

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

time

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

to

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

transacted

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

tucked

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

until

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

From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.

up

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

us

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

vast

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

very

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

was

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

From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.

way

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

From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.

we

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

weather

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

week

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

which

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

From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.

wild

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

From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.

with

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

From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.

without

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

From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.

work

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

From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.

Yokohama

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

From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.