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Marcy the Blockade Runner
Marcy the Blockade Runner

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for Marcy the Blockade Runner
Context Illustration Reading 1/47 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
UNION OR CONFEDERATE--WHICH?
For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.
He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.
Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.
If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Marcy the Blockade Runner

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/47 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
UNION OR CONFEDERATE--WHICH?
Line 2
For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.
Line 3
He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.
Line 4
Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.
Line 5
If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.

Learner Dictionary

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

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.”

Start noun US /start/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.”

All words in this reading · 99

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

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

bearer

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

become

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

came

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

carry

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

CONFEDERATE

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

From this reading UNION OR CONFEDERATE--WHICH?

confess

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

conflicting

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

declared

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.

enlist

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

fight

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

find

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

glad

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

go

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

Hatteras

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

home

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

how

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

Jack

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

just

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

knew

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

land

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

lay

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

led

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

listen

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

Marcy

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

From this reading If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.

mother

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

navy

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

Newbern

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

news

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

object

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

From this reading If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.

observations

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

only

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

ORconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading UNION OR CONFEDERATE--WHICH?

out

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

papers

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

personal

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

rebels

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

reports

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

resolve

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

safe

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

sailor

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

startnounUS /start/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.

stock

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

suspicious

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

thousand

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

try

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

UNION

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

From this reading UNION OR CONFEDERATE--WHICH?

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

very

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

From this reading If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.

way

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading UNION OR CONFEDERATE--WHICH?

willing

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading If his mother did not object he would start the very next morning and take Marcy with him.

worsted

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

From this reading He declared that he took no stock whatever in the thousand and one conflicting reports that had come to him through the papers, and so suspicious had he become that the only thing that led him to believe the rebels had been worsted in the fight at Hatteras, was because they were willing to confess it themselves.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Of course it would not be safe for him to try to carry out his resolve to enlist in the Union navy until he knew just how the land lay; and the only way in which he could find out would be to go to Newbern and make personal observations.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading For the first time since sailor Jack came home he was the bearer of good news, and you may be sure that his mother was glad to listen to it.