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No Moss
No Moss

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of No Moss is here in full — 134 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for No Moss
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_THE GO-AHEAD SERIES._ AUTHOR OF "THE GUN-BOAT SERIES," "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," ETC.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.
"Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.
"Very good.
Quartermaster, make it so."
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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.

No Moss

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of No Moss is here in full — 134 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_THE GO-AHEAD SERIES._ AUTHOR OF "THE GUN-BOAT SERIES," "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," ETC.
Line 2
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.
Line 3
"Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.
Line 4
"Very good.
/ˈveri ɡʊd/
Line 5
Quartermaster, make it so."
/ˈkwɔːrtərmæstər meɪk ɪt soʊ/

Learner Dictionary

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

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

carroll noun US /ˈkærəl/

English author; Charles Dodgson was an Oxford don of mathematics who is remembered for the children's stories he wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)

From this reading “Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.”

Clerk's noun US /klɜːrks/

possessive form of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading “Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.”

Congress noun US /ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/

the legislature of the United States government

From this reading “Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.”

District noun US /ˈdɪstrɪkt/

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading “Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.”

Ohio noun US /oʊˈhaɪoʊ/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading “Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.”

Quartermaster noun US /ˈkwɔːrtərmæstər/

an army officer who provides clothing and subsistence for troops

From this reading “Quartermaster, make it so."”

reported adjective US /ˌriːˈpɔːrtɪd/

made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account

From this reading “"Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.”

rocky adjective US /ˈrɑːki/

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading “_THE GO-AHEAD SERIES._ AUTHOR OF "THE GUN-BOAT SERIES," "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," ETC.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

Four bells noun + noun counted as “four bell”

In this reading “"Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.”

charge of verb + particle

In this reading “"Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.”

Act of verb + particle

In this reading “Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.”

in the year preposition + article + noun counted as “in … year”

In this reading “Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.”

All words in this reading · 49

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

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

1868

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

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

ActverbUS /ækt/

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

AUTHORnounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading _THE GO-AHEAD SERIES._ AUTHOR OF "THE GUN-BOAT SERIES," "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," ETC.

bellsnounUS /belz/

plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading "Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

CARROLLnounUS /ˈkærəl/

English author; Charles Dodgson was an Oxford don of mathematics who is remembered for the children's stories he wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

chargeverbUS /tʃɑːrdʒ/

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading "Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.

Clerk'snounUS /klɜːrks/

possessive form of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

COnounUS /koʊ/

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

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

CongressnounUS /ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/

the legislature of the United States government

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

CourtnounUS /kɔːrt/

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

decknounUS /dek/

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading "Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.

DistrictnounUS /ˈdɪstrɪkt/

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

EnteredverbUS /ˈentərd/

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

ETC

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

From this reading _THE GO-AHEAD SERIES._ AUTHOR OF "THE GUN-BOAT SERIES," "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," ETC.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

FournounUS /fɔːr/

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading "Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.

GO-AHEADnoun

a signal to proceed

From this reading _THE GO-AHEAD SERIES._ AUTHOR OF "THE GUN-BOAT SERIES," "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," ETC.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "Very good.

GUN-BOAT

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

From this reading _THE GO-AHEAD SERIES._ AUTHOR OF "THE GUN-BOAT SERIES," "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," ETC.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Quartermaster, make it so."

KingnounUS /kɪŋ/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading "Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading Quartermaster, make it so."

messenger-boy

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

From this reading "Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.

MOUNTAINnounUS /ˈmaʊntən/

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading _THE GO-AHEAD SERIES._ AUTHOR OF "THE GUN-BOAT SERIES," "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," ETC.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _THE GO-AHEAD SERIES._ AUTHOR OF "THE GUN-BOAT SERIES," "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," ETC.

OfficenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

officernounUS /ˈɔːfəsər/

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading "Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.

OhionounUS /oʊˈhaɪoʊ/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

QuartermasternounUS /ˈkwɔːrtərmæstər/

an army officer who provides clothing and subsistence for troops

From this reading Quartermaster, make it so."

RnounUS /ɑːr/

a unit of radiation exposure; the dose of ionizing radiation that will produce 1 electrostatic unit of electricity in 1 cc of dry air

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

reportedadjectiveUS /ˌriːˈpɔːrtɪd/

made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account

From this reading "Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.

ROCKYadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading _THE GO-AHEAD SERIES._ AUTHOR OF "THE GUN-BOAT SERIES," "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," ETC.

SERIESnounUS /ˈsɪriz/

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading _THE GO-AHEAD SERIES._ AUTHOR OF "THE GUN-BOAT SERIES," "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," ETC.

sirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading "Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Quartermaster, make it so."

SouthernadjectiveUS /ˈsʌðərn/

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

StatesnounUS /steɪts/

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

StormverbUS /stɔːrm/

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading "Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _THE GO-AHEAD SERIES._ AUTHOR OF "THE GUN-BOAT SERIES," "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," ETC.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

VeryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading "Very good.

WnounUS /ˈdʌbəljuː/

a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading "Four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the Storm King.

yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by R. W. CARROLL & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.

Chapter 1 of No Moss by Harry Castlemon holds 134 sentences, grouped into 27 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of No Moss contain?

Chapter 1 holds 134 sentences of No Moss, unabridged, divided into 27 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of No Moss by Harry Castlemon exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 134 sentences, grouped into 27 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of No Moss?

Work through the 27 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 27 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading No Moss

Common questions about reading No Moss by Harry Castlemon on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of No Moss?

Yes. All 3945 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #33226 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of No Moss is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #33226, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does No Moss take to read?

About 328 minutes of reading across 789 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read No Moss section by section

How to work through No Moss section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of No Moss to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in No Moss

Words and structures a reader meets early in No Moss, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Go-ahead
A word that appears in the opening chapter of No Moss; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Series
A word that appears in the opening chapter of No Moss; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of No Moss; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Gun-boat
A word that appears in the opening chapter of No Moss; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.