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Prester John
Prester John

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of Prester John is here in full — 203 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By John Buchan • Curated US English Learning Edition

Chapter 21 of Prester John by John Buchan holds 203 sentences, grouped into 41 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 21 of Prester John contain?

Chapter 21 holds 203 sentences of Prester John, unabridged, divided into 41 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 21 of Prester John by John Buchan exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 203 sentences, grouped into 41 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 21 of Prester John?

Work through the 41 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 41 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 21 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 21 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 Prester John

Common questions about reading Prester John by John Buchan on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Prester John?

Yes. All 4582 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #611 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Prester John is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #611, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Prester John take to read?

About 381 minutes of reading across 917 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Prester John section by section

How to work through Prester John section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 23 chapters of Prester John 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 Prester John

Words and structures a reader meets early in Prester John, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Yesterday
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Prester John; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Prester John; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sight
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Prester John; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Prester John; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Prester John
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.
I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.
My brain was quite clear as to my own position.
I was shut in this place, with no chance of escape and with no food.
In a little I must die of starvation, or go mad and throw myself after Laputa.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Prester John

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of Prester John is here in full — 203 sentences across 41 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.
Line 2
I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.
Line 3
My brain was quite clear as to my own position.
Line 4
I was shut in this place, with no chance of escape and with no food.
Line 5
In a little I must die of starvation, or go mad and throw myself after Laputa.

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.

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.”

Velmora curated lexicon
Remember verb US /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading “I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.”

Velmora curated lexicon
All words in this reading · 65

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

A

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
abyss

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
after

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

From this reading In a little I must die of starvation, or go mad and throw myself after Laputa.

Pending verification
and

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
as

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

From this reading My brain was quite clear as to my own position.

Pending verification
between

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
brain

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

From this reading My brain was quite clear as to my own position.

Pending verification
brink

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
chance

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

From this reading I was shut in this place, with no chance of escape and with no food.

Pending verification
clear

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

From this reading My brain was quite clear as to my own position.

Pending verification
CLIMB

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
CRAGS

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
cry

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
did

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
die

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

From this reading In a little I must die of starvation, or go mad and throw myself after Laputa.

Pending verification
down

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
escape

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

From this reading I was shut in this place, with no chance of escape and with no food.

Pending verification
except

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
food

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

From this reading I was shut in this place, with no chance of escape and with no food.

Pending verification
go

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

From this reading In a little I must die of starvation, or go mad and throw myself after Laputa.

Pending verification
great

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
had

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
happened

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
hovering

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
I

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
in

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

From this reading I was shut in this place, with no chance of escape and with no food.

Pending verification
into

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
know

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
Laputa

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

From this reading In a little I must die of starvation, or go mad and throw myself after Laputa.

Pending verification
little

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

From this reading In a little I must die of starvation, or go mad and throw myself after Laputa.

Pending verification
looked

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
mad

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

From this reading In a little I must die of starvation, or go mad and throw myself after Laputa.

Pending verification
mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Velmora curated lexicon
must

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

From this reading In a little I must die of starvation, or go mad and throw myself after Laputa.

Pending verification
My

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

From this reading My brain was quite clear as to my own position.

Pending verification
myself

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

From this reading In a little I must die of starvation, or go mad and throw myself after Laputa.

Pending verification
no

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

From this reading I was shut in this place, with no chance of escape and with no food.

Pending verification
not

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
of

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

From this reading I was shut in this place, with no chance of escape and with no food.

Pending verification
or

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

From this reading In a little I must die of starvation, or go mad and throw myself after Laputa.

Pending verification
over

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
own

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

From this reading My brain was quite clear as to my own position.

Pending verification
perplexity

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
place

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

From this reading I was shut in this place, with no chance of escape and with no food.

Pending verification
position

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

From this reading My brain was quite clear as to my own position.

Pending verification
quite

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

From this reading My brain was quite clear as to my own position.

Pending verification
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Velmora curated lexicon
SECOND

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
shut

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

From this reading I was shut in this place, with no chance of escape and with no food.

Pending verification
sit

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
some

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
starvation

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

From this reading In a little I must die of starvation, or go mad and throw myself after Laputa.

Pending verification
tears

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
that

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
THE

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
thing

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
this

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

From this reading I was shut in this place, with no chance of escape and with no food.

Pending verification
throw

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

From this reading In a little I must die of starvation, or go mad and throw myself after Laputa.

Pending verification
TIME

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
to

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
wanted

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
was

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

From this reading My brain was quite clear as to my own position.

Pending verification
why

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

From this reading I wanted to sit down and cry—why, I did not know, except that some great thing had happened.

Pending verification
with

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification
yeasty

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

From this reading I CLIMB THE CRAGS A SECOND TIME I remember that I looked over the brink into the yeasty abyss with a mind hovering between perplexity and tears.

Pending verification