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 ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
abreast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
also
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From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
awful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
boats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
bridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
catastrophe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
chip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
converse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
crash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
curious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
detected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
dip
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From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
drowsily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
expectingverbUS /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/
thinking that somebody or something will arrive
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
faint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
float
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
gear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
gripes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
hatch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
lanyards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not very long--two minutes perhaps.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
noise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not very long--two minutes perhaps.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
Patna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not very long--two minutes perhaps.
port-side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
preceding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
rush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
shuffling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
smallest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
sounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
steering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
stillness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
stock-still
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
toss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not very long--two minutes perhaps.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not very long--two minutes perhaps.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How long he stood stock-still by the hatch expecting every moment to feel the ship dip under his feet and the rush of water take him at the back and toss him like a chip, I cannot say.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ‘The Patna had a long bridge, and all the boats were up there, four on one side and three on the other--the smallest of them on the port-side and nearly abreast of the steering gear.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading A couple of men he could not make out began to converse drowsily, and also, he could not tell where, he detected a curious noise of shuffling feet.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Above these faint sounds there was that awful stillness preceding a catastrophe, that trying silence of the moment before the crash; then it came into his head that perhaps he would have time to rush along and cut all the lanyards of the gripes, so that the boats would float as the ship went down.
