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Kidnapped
Kidnapped

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of Kidnapped is here in full — 140 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 23 of Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 140 sentences, grouped into 28 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 23 of Kidnapped contain?

Chapter 23 holds 140 sentences of Kidnapped, unabridged, divided into 28 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 140 sentences, grouped into 28 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 23 of Kidnapped?

Work through the 28 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 28 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 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 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 Kidnapped

Common questions about reading Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Kidnapped?

Yes. All 3533 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #421 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Kidnapped is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #421, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Kidnapped take to read?

About 294 minutes of reading across 707 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Kidnapped section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 30 chapters of Kidnapped 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 Kidnapped

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

Begin
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Kidnapped; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Story
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Kidnapped; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Adventures
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Kidnapped; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Certain
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Kidnapped; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Kidnapped
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.
It’s here,” said one of the guides, and we struck up hill.
The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.
Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as Cluny’s Cage.”
The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.
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.

Kidnapped

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of Kidnapped is here in full — 140 sentences across 28 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.
Line 2
It’s here,” said one of the guides, and we struck up hill.
Line 3
The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.
Line 4
Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country asCluny’s Cage.”
Line 5
The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.
All words in this reading · 83

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 CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

above

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

across

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

an

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

and

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

as

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

at

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

barricade

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

been

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

before

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

behind

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

by

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

CAGE

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

came

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

cliff

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

clung

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

CLUNY'S

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

country

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

craggy

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

crowned

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

earth

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

exceeding

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

face

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

floor

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

foliage

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

foot

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

found

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

ground

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

guides

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

From this reading “It’s here,” said one of the guides, and we struck up hill.

had

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

here

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

From this reading “It’s here,” said one of the guides, and we struck up hill.

hill

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

From this reading “It’s here,” said one of the guides, and we struck up hill.

hillside

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

house

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

in

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

intervals

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

It's

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

From this reading “It’s here,” said one of the guides, and we struck up hill.

just

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

known

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

ladder

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

last

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

levelled

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

like

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

make

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

mounted

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

naked

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

of

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

on

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

one

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

From this reading “It’s here,” said one of the guides, and we struck up hill.

precipice

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

Quite

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

rocky

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

rounds

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

said

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

From this reading “It’s here,” said one of the guides, and we struck up hill.

sailors

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

scrambled

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

several

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

ship

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

shrouds

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

slope

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

sprang

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

stakes

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

steep

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

strange

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

strengthened

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

struck

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

From this reading “It’s here,” said one of the guides, and we struck up hill.

that

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

the

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

their

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

this

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

to

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

top

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

From this reading Quite at the top, and just before the rocky face of the cliff sprang above the foliage, we found that strange house which was known in the country as “Cluny’s Cage.”

trees

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

trunks

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

up

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

upon

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

was

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

wattled

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

We

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

were

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

From this reading The trees clung upon the slope, like sailors on the shrouds of a ship, and their trunks were like the rounds of a ladder, by which we mounted.

which

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.

with

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

From this reading The trunks of several trees had been wattled across, the intervals strengthened with stakes, and the ground behind this barricade levelled up with earth to make the floor.

wood

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

From this reading CLUNY’S CAGE We came at last to the foot of an exceeding steep wood, which scrambled up a craggy hillside, and was crowned by a naked precipice.