Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Kidnapped (Illustrated)
Kidnapped (Illustrated)

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Kidnapped (Illustrated) is here in full — 21 sentences across 5 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 1 of Kidnapped (Illustrated) by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 21 sentences, grouped into 5 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 1 of Kidnapped (Illustrated) contain?

Chapter 1 holds 21 sentences of Kidnapped (Illustrated), unabridged, divided into 5 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Kidnapped (Illustrated) by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 21 sentences, grouped into 5 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 1 of Kidnapped (Illustrated)?

Work through the 5 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 5 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 (Illustrated)

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

Is this the complete text of Kidnapped (Illustrated)?

Yes. All 3555 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #56562 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Kidnapped (Illustrated) is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #56562, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Kidnapped (Illustrated) take to read?

About 296 minutes of reading across 711 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Kidnapped (Illustrated) section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 31 chapters of Kidnapped (Illustrated) 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 (Illustrated)

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

Likely
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Kidnapped (Illustrated); the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Yourself
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Kidnapped (Illustrated); the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Questions
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Kidnapped (Illustrated); the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Answer
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Kidnapped (Illustrated); the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Kidnapped (Illustrated)
Context Illustration Reading 1/5 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.
These are nuts beyond my ability to crack.
But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.
To this day you will find the tradition of Appin clear in Alan’s favour.
If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.
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 (Illustrated)

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Kidnapped (Illustrated) is here in full — 21 sentences across 5 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.
Line 2
These are nuts beyond my ability to crack.
Line 3
But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.
Line 4
To this day you will find the tradition of Appin clear in Alan’s favour.
Line 5
If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.

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, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “These are nuts beyond my ability to crack.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “These are nuts beyond my ability to crack.”

Yourself pronoun US /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading “If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.”

All words in this reading · 86

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

1751

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

ability

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

From this reading These are nuts beyond my ability to crack.

Alan's

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

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

all

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

answer

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

Appin

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading These are nuts beyond my ability to crack.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

ask

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

Balfour

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading These are nuts beyond my ability to crack.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

care

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

clear

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

From this reading To this day you will find the tradition of Appin clear in Alan’s favour.

come

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

country

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

From this reading If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.

crack

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

From this reading These are nuts beyond my ability to crack.

crept

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

David

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

day

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

From this reading To this day you will find the tradition of Appin clear in Alan’s favour.

defend

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

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

descendants

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

From this reading If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.

Earraid

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

even

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

From this reading If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.

ever

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

fall

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

favour

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

From this reading To this day you will find the tradition of Appin clear in Alan’s favour.

find

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

From this reading To this day you will find the tradition of Appin clear in Alan’s favour.

fired

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

From this reading If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

guilt

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

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

hear

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

From this reading If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.

how

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

innocence

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

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

inquire

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

From this reading If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.

instance

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

likely

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

man

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

From this reading If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

more

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

murder

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading These are nuts beyond my ability to crack.

near

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

nuts

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

From this reading These are nuts beyond my ability to crack.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

other

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

From this reading If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

printed

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

questions

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

read

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

reading

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

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

rocks

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

shot

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

From this reading If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

silent

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

tale

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

text

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

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These are nuts beyond my ability to crack.

think

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

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

Torran

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

touches

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

tradition

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

From this reading To this day you will find the tradition of Appin clear in Alan’s favour.

trial

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

tried

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

From this reading But if you tried me on the point of Alan’s guilt or innocence, I think I could defend the reading of the text.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading If you inquire, you may even hear that the descendants of “the other man” who fired the shot are in the country to this day.

why

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

year

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

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.

yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading If you ever read this tale, you will likely ask yourself more questions than I should care to answer: as for instance how the Appin murder has come to fall in the year 1751, how the Torran rocks have crept so near to Earraid, or why the printed trial is silent as to all that touches David Balfour.