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Scouting with Daniel Boone
Scouting with Daniel Boone

Chapter XI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.
The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.
In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.
The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.
Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Scouting with Daniel Boone

Chapter XI

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.
Line 2
The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.
Line 3
In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.
Line 4
The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.
Line 5
Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.”

Distress noun US /dɪˈstrɛs/

extreme sadness or suffering

From this reading “In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.”

Plainly noun US /ˈplainly/

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

From this reading “The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.”

TERRIFIED adjective US /ˈterəfaɪd/

extremely frightened

From this reading “A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.”

All words in this reading · 88

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 A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.

act

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

aid

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

From this reading In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.

all

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

almost

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.

also

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

From this reading In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

apparently

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

From this reading In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

aware

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

From this reading In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.

BAND

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

From this reading A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

command

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

From this reading A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.

companions

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

From this reading Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.

darting

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

decided

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

decision

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

dire

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

From this reading In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.

directions

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

disappearing

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

From this reading Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.

distance

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

From this reading Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.

distressnounUS /dɪˈstrɛs/

extreme sadness or suffering

From this reading In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.

Englishman

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

From this reading In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.

experience

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

From this reading A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.

fact

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

fired

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

gun

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

From this reading Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

helplessness

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.

Indians

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

instinctively

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.

knew

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

lead

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

lost

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

nearer

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.

once

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.

only

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

From this reading In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.

Peleg

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

From this reading Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.

Peleg's

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

From this reading A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.

plainlynounUS /ˈplainly/

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

position

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

From this reading In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.

promptly

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

raised

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

reloaded

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

From this reading Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.

scout

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

see

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

shoulder

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

Singing

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

spring

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

surveyors

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

Susan

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

taking

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

From this reading A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.

TERRIFIEDadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪd/

extremely frightened

From this reading A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

there

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

tree

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

trees

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

From this reading Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.

trying

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

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

turned

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

two

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

From this reading Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A TERRIFIED BAND It was Peleg's first experience in taking command of a party.

well

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Before he reloaded his gun Peleg turned to his companions, two of whom were already disappearing among the trees in the distance.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading In his position he was aware also that the Englishman was in dire distress, and apparently he was the only one who could aid him.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The decision to act had come to the young scout promptly, and he had almost instinctively raised Singing Susan to his shoulder and fired at the Indians, whom he could see darting from tree to tree and plainly trying to come nearer the spring.

young

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

From this reading The helplessness of the surveyors, however, and the fact that they all turned to him for directions, at once decided the young scout to lead, and he well knew there was no time to be lost.