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Life on the Mississippi
Life on the Mississippi

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of Life on the Mississippi is here in full — 338 sentences across 68 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Life on the Mississippi
Context Illustration Reading 1/67 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.
Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.
But these were all absent.
Far along in the day, we saw one steamboat; just one, and no more.
She was lying at rest in the shade, within the wooded mouth of the Obion River.
0:00 / 0:00
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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 on the Mississippi

Chapter XI · Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of Life on the Mississippi is here in full — 338 sentences across 68 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/67 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.
Line 2
Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.
Line 3
But these were all absent.
/bʌt ðiːz wɜːr ɔːl ˈæbsənt/
Line 4
Far along in the day, we saw one steamboat; just one, and no more.
/fɑːr əˈlɔːŋ ɪn ðə deɪ wiː sɔː wʌn ˈstiːmboʊt dʒʌst wʌn ənd noʊ mɔːr/
Line 5
She was lying at rest in the shade, within the wooded mouth of the Obion River.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

barges noun US /ˈbɑːrdʒəz/

plural of “barge” — a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)

From this reading “Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.”

dozens noun US /ˈdʌzənz/

a large number or amount

From this reading “Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.”

itinerant noun US /aɪˈtɪnərənt/

a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment

From this reading “Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.”

peddling noun US /ˈpedəlɪŋ/

the act of selling goods for a living

From this reading “Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.”

rafts noun US /ræfts/

a large number or amount

From this reading “Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.”

scow noun US /skaʊ/

any of various flat-bottomed boats with sloping ends

From this reading “Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.”

steamboat noun US /ˈstiːmboʊt/

a boat propelled by a steam engine

From this reading “Far along in the day, we saw one steamboat; just one, and no more.”

Unloads verb US /ənˈloʊdz/

third-person singular of “unload” — remove (cargo, people, etc.) from and leave

From this reading “Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.”

All words in this reading · 79

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/

not being in a specified place

From this reading But these were all absent.

acresnounUS /ˈeɪkərz/

extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

ALLadjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

bargesnounUS /ˈbɑːrdʒəz/

plural of “barge” — a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

bearingnounUS /ˈberɪŋ/

relevant relation or interconnection

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

boardnounUS /bɔːrd/

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But these were all absent.

ConounUS /koʊ/

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

coalnounUS /koʊl/

fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

dozensnounUS /ˈdʌzənz/

a large number or amount

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/

suitable to or characteristic of drama

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

familynounUS /ˈfæməli/

a social unit living together

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

FaradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Far along in the day, we saw one steamboat; just one, and no more.

farmverbUS /fɑːrm/

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

FormerlyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrmərli/

at a previous time

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

HamletnounUS /ˈhæmlət/

a community of people smaller than a village

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

humbleadjectiveUS /ˈhʌmbəl/

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Far along in the day, we saw one steamboat; just one, and no more.

itinerantnounUS /aɪˈtɪnərənt/

a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading Far along in the day, we saw one steamboat; just one, and no more.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

lumbernounUS /ˈlʌmbər/

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

lyingnounUS /ˈlaɪɪŋ/

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading She was lying at rest in the shade, within the wooded mouth of the Obion River.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Far along in the day, we saw one steamboat; just one, and no more.

mouthnounUS /maʊθ/

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading She was lying at rest in the shade, within the wooded mouth of the Obion River.

Mumford

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

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Far along in the day, we saw one steamboat; just one, and no more.

Obion

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

From this reading She was lying at rest in the shade, within the wooded mouth of the Obion River.

occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/

occurring from time to time

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Far along in the day, we saw one steamboat; just one, and no more.

ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

passedverbUS /pæst/

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

peddler's

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

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

peddlingnounUS /ˈpedəlɪŋ/

the act of selling goods for a living

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

possiblyadverbUS /ˈpɑːsəbli/

by chance

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

raftsnounUS /ræfts/

a large number or amount

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

randomadjectiveUS /ˈrændəm/

lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading She was lying at rest in the shade, within the wooded mouth of the Obion River.

rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading Far along in the day, we saw one steamboat; just one, and no more.

scownounUS /skaʊ/

any of various flat-bottomed boats with sloping ends

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

shadenounUS /ʃeɪd/

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading She was lying at rest in the shade, within the wooded mouth of the Obion River.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She was lying at rest in the shade, within the wooded mouth of the Obion River.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

stagenounUS /steɪdʒ/

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

steamboatnounUS /ˈstiːmboʊt/

a boat propelled by a steam engine

From this reading Far along in the day, we saw one steamboat; just one, and no more.

streamnounUS /striːm/

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

swungverbUS /swʌŋ/

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading But these were all absent.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

trading-scows

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

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

tripnounUS /trɪp/

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

UnclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

UnloadsverbUS /ənˈloʊdz/

third-person singular of “unload” — remove (cargo, people, etc.) from and leave

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She was lying at rest in the shade, within the wooded mouth of the Obion River.

waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading But these were all absent.

whollyadverbUS /ˈhoʊli/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Uncle Mumford Unloads ALL day we swung along down the river, and had the stream almost wholly to ourselves.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Formerly, at such a stage of the water, we should have passed acres of lumber rafts, and dozens of big coal barges; also occasional little trading-scows, peddling along from farm to farm, with the peddler's family on board; possibly, a random scow, bearing a humble Hamlet and Co. on an itinerant dramatic trip.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading She was lying at rest in the shade, within the wooded mouth of the Obion River.

woodedadjectiveUS /ˈwʊdɪd/

covered with growing trees and bushes etc

From this reading She was lying at rest in the shade, within the wooded mouth of the Obion River.

Chapter 11 of Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain holds 338 sentences, grouped into 68 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 11 of Life on the Mississippi contain?

Chapter 11 holds 338 sentences of Life on the Mississippi, unabridged, divided into 68 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 11 of Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 338 sentences, grouped into 68 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 11 of Life on the Mississippi?

Work through the 68 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 68 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 11 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 11 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 Life on the Mississippi

Common questions about reading Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Life on the Mississippi?

Yes. All 6352 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #245 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Life on the Mississippi is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #245, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Life on the Mississippi take to read?

About 529 minutes of reading across 1271 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Life on the Mississippi section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of Life on the Mississippi 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 Life on the Mississippi

Words and structures a reader meets early in Life on the Mississippi, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chimney
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life on the Mississippi; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Panorama
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life on the Mississippi; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Undying
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life on the Mississippi; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Peboan
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life on the Mississippi; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.