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Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery
Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery

Chapter X

Chapter 10 of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery is here in full — 287 sentences across 58 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery
Context Illustration Reading 1/57 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.
"My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.
So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.
I am full of highly colored suspicions, and there is one thing I am ready to swear to."
"What is that?" asked Reginald Baynes Rayton.
0:00 / 0:00
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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.

Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery

Chapter X

Chapter 10 of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery is here in full — 287 sentences across 58 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/57 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.
Line 2
"My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.
/maɪ ˈsɪstəm ʌv dɪˈtekʃən ɪz nɑːt pərˈfekt jet bʌt ɪt ɪz ɡʊd ɪˈnʌf tuː ɡoʊ əˈhed wɪð/
Line 3
So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.
/soʊ fɑːr aɪ hæv nɑːt neɪld ˈeniθɪŋ daʊn bʌt maɪ ˈlɪtəl ˈhæmər ɪz ˈredi aɪ kæn tel juː/
Line 4
I am full of highly colored suspicions, and there is one thing I am ready to swear to."
/aɪ æm fʊl ʌv ˈhaɪli ˈkʌlərd səˈspɪʃənz ənd ðer ɪz wʌn θɪŋ aɪ æm ˈredi tuː swer tuː/
Line 5
"What is that?" asked Reginald Baynes Rayton.

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.

crosses noun US /ˈkrɔːsɪz/

plural of “cross” — a wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece

From this reading “RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.”

detection noun US /dɪˈtekʃən/

the perception that something has occurred or some state exists

From this reading “"My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.”

hammer noun US /ˈhæmər/

the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled

From this reading “So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.”

Harvey noun US /ˈhɑːrvi/

English physician and scientist who described the circulation of the blood; he later proposed that all animals originate from an ovum produced by the female of the species (1578-1657)

From this reading “RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.”

investigating noun US /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtɪŋ/

the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically

From this reading “RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.”

mysteries noun US /ˈmɪstəriz/

plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading “RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.”

nailed verb US /neɪld/

past form of “nail” — attach something somewhere by means of nails

From this reading “So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.”

suspicions noun US /səˈspɪʃənz/

plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case

From this reading “I am full of highly colored suspicions, and there is one thing I am ready to swear to."”

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.

highly colored adverb + adjective

In this reading “I am full of highly colored suspicions, and there is one thing I am ready to swear to."”

go ahead verb + particle

proceed (with a plan of action)

In this reading “"My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.”

good enough adjective + noun

adequately good for the circumstances

In this reading “"My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.”

All words in this reading · 61

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.

AGAINadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

aheadadverbUS /əˈhed/

at or in the front

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I am full of highly colored suspicions, and there is one thing I am ready to swear to."

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "What is that?" asked Reginald Baynes Rayton.

BanksnounUS /bæŋks/

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

Baynes

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

From this reading "What is that?" asked Reginald Baynes Rayton.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.

coloredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərd/

having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination

From this reading I am full of highly colored suspicions, and there is one thing I am ready to swear to."

CROSSESnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪz/

plural of “cross” — a wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

detectionnounUS /dɪˈtekʃən/

the perception that something has occurred or some state exists

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.

fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading I am full of highly colored suspicions, and there is one thing I am ready to swear to."

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

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

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

hammernounUS /ˈhæmər/

the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled

From this reading So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.

HarveynounUS /ˈhɑːrvi/

English physician and scientist who described the circulation of the blood; he later proposed that all animals originate from an ovum produced by the female of the species (1578-1657)

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.

highlyadverbUS /ˈhaɪli/

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading I am full of highly colored suspicions, and there is one thing I am ready to swear to."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

investigatingnounUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtɪŋ/

the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

linesnounUS /laɪnz/

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.

MillverbUS /mɪl/

move about in a confused manner

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

mysteriesnounUS /ˈmɪstəriz/

plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

nailedverbUS /neɪld/

past form of “nail” — attach something somewhere by means of nails

From this reading So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I am full of highly colored suspicions, and there is one thing I am ready to swear to."

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

PnounUS /piː/

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

perfectadjectiveUS /pərˈfekt/

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

Rayton

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

From this reading "What is that?" asked Reginald Baynes Rayton.

readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.

REDnounUS /red/

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

Reginald

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

From this reading "What is that?" asked Reginald Baynes Rayton.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

Samson's

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

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

SettlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.

suspicionsnounUS /səˈspɪʃənz/

plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case

From this reading I am full of highly colored suspicions, and there is one thing I am ready to swear to."

swearverbUS /swer/

utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading I am full of highly colored suspicions, and there is one thing I am ready to swear to."

systemnounUS /ˈsɪstəm/

instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "What is that?" asked Reginald Baynes Rayton.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading RED CROSSES AGAIN "I am investigating the mysteries of Samson's Mill Settlement along lines of my own," said Harvey P. Banks.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading I am full of highly colored suspicions, and there is one thing I am ready to swear to."

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading I am full of highly colored suspicions, and there is one thing I am ready to swear to."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What is that?" asked Reginald Baynes Rayton.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading "My system of detection is not perfect yet, but it is good enough to go ahead with.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading So far I have not nailed anything down, but my little hammer is ready, I can tell you.

Chapter 10 of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery by Theodore Goodridge Roberts holds 287 sentences, grouped into 58 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 10 of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery contain?

Chapter 10 holds 287 sentences of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery, unabridged, divided into 58 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 10 of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery by Theodore Goodridge Roberts exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 287 sentences, grouped into 58 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 10 of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery?

Work through the 58 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 58 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 10 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 10 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 Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery

Common questions about reading Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery by Theodore Goodridge Roberts on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery?

Yes. All 5088 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #41122 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #41122, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery take to read?

About 424 minutes of reading across 1018 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery section by section

How to work through Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 22 chapters of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery 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 Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery

Words and structures a reader meets early in Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Captain
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Raleigh's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Comrades
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Rayton: A Backwoods Mystery; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.