Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Life in the Eagle's Nest
Life in the Eagle's Nest

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for Life in the Eagle's Nest
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE MOUNTAIN CHILD.
Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.
In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.
The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.
It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.
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.

Life in the Eagle's Nest

Chapter VI

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

Line 1
THE MOUNTAIN CHILD.
Line 2
Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.
Line 3
In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.
Line 4
The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.
Line 5
It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.”

Cried noun US /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.”

Help noun US /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.”

Whence adverb US /wens/

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading “In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.”

All words in this reading · 87

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

Afghan

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

all

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

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

beast

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

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.

bushes

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

came

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

carry

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

certain

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

From this reading It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.

cheetah

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

CHILD

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

From this reading THE MOUNTAIN CHILD.

clenched

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

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

covert

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

criednounUS /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

cry

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

fatal

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

From this reading It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.

feet

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

followed

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

girl

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

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

hand

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

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

instant

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

issue

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

From this reading It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

large

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

leopard

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

loudly

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

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

many

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

meditations

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

MOUNTAIN

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

From this reading THE MOUNTAIN CHILD.

near

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

From this reading It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

off

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

out

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

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

pain

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

reclining

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

resisting

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

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

rustling

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

savage

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

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

saw

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.

small

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

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

sound

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

spot

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

sprung

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

startled

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

striking

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

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

struggle

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

From this reading It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.

struggling

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

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

terror

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE MOUNTAIN CHILD.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

trying

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

turning

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

very

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

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

Walter

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

well

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

From this reading It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.

whenceadverbUS /wens/

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading In an instant he was on his feet; and turning towards the point whence the sound came, Walter saw a very large cheetah (leopard), that had sprung from its covert on an Afghan child, and was trying to carry her off.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The little girl was struggling and resisting with all her might, striking at the savage beast with her small clenched hand, while she loudly cried out for help.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It was well that help was near, or the struggle would have been short, and its fatal issue certain.

yards

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

From this reading Walter was startled from his meditations by a sudden rustling in the bushes, followed by a cry of pain or terror, not many yards from the spot where he was reclining.