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Mrs. Falchion, Complete
Mrs. Falchion, Complete

Chapter VII · A Bridge of Peril

Cover illustration for Mrs. Falchion, Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/53 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.
Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.
A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.
The place had a massive, war-like character.
Here was a battery with earthworks; there, a fort; beyond, a signal-staff.
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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.

Mrs. Falchion, Complete

Chapter VII · A Bridge of Peril

Reading 1/53 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.
Line 2
Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.
Line 3
A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.
Line 4
The place had a massive, war-like character.
Line 5
Here was a battery with earthworks; there, a fort; beyond, a signal-staff.

Learner Dictionary

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

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “Here was a battery with earthworks; there, a fort; beyond, a signal-staff.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.”

Glare noun US /glare/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here was a battery with earthworks; there, a fort; beyond, a signal-staff.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.”

All words in this reading · 86

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

Aden

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

almost

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

always

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

Arabian

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

battery

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

From this reading Here was a battery with earthworks; there, a fort; beyond, a signal-staff.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Here was a battery with earthworks; there, a fort; beyond, a signal-staff.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

character

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

From this reading The place had a massive, war-like character.

cloudless

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

coolness

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

creamy

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

delightful

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

down

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

earthworks

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

From this reading Here was a battery with earthworks; there, a fort; beyond, a signal-staff.

everywhere

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

experience

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

eyes

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

far

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

fort

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

From this reading Here was a battery with earthworks; there, a fort; beyond, a signal-staff.

fortress

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

fusing

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

get

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

glarenounUS /glare/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

gracefully

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

green

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

harbour

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

hard

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

HerenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Here was a battery with earthworks; there, a fort; beyond, a signal-staff.

hillside

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

house

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

impression

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

iron

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

like

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

massive

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

From this reading The place had a massive, war-like character.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

mighty

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

Mohammedan

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

more

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

mosque

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

ocean

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

opals

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

Overhead

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

place

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

From this reading The place had a massive, war-like character.

repose

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

Resident's

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

sandy

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

Sea

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

shore

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

signal-staff

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

From this reading Here was a battery with earthworks; there, a fort; beyond, a signal-staff.

some

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

steps

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

strong

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

sun

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

there

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

thousand

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

tiny

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

tremulous

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

up

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

wake

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

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.

war-like

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

From this reading The place had a massive, war-like character.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

wash

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

From this reading Overhead was the cloudless sun, and everywhere the tremulous glare of a sandy shore and the creamy wash of the sea, like fusing opals.

washed

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

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading A tiny Mohammedan mosque stood gracefully where the ocean almost washed its steps, and the Resident's house, far up the hard hillside, looked down upon the harbour from a green coolness.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading No more delightful experience may be had than to wake up in the harbour of Aden some fine morning--it is always fine there--and get the first impression of that mighty fortress, with its thousand iron eyes, in strong repose by the Arabian Sea.