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Second Base Sloan
Second Base Sloan

Chapter II

Cover illustration for Second Base Sloan
Context Illustration Reading 1/60 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.
By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.
Tall chimneys and a spire or two pointed upward above a smoky haze.
They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.
Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.
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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.

Second Base Sloan

Chapter II

Reading 1/60 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.
Line 2
By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.
Line 3
Tall chimneys and a spire or two pointed upward above a smoky haze.
Line 4
They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.
Line 5
Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “Tall chimneys and a spire or two pointed upward above a smoky haze.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.”

Beneath preposition US /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading “They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.”

Track noun US /træk/

a route or signs showing the way someone went

From this reading “JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.”

All words in this reading · 95

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 JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Tall chimneys and a spire or two pointed upward above a smoky haze.

absolutely

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

arms

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

BARGAIN

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

better

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

BeyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

big

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

branched

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

bridge

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

broad

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

caught

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

chimneys

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

From this reading Tall chimneys and a spire or two pointed upward above a smoky haze.

chose

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

covered

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

crossed

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

didn't

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

distance

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

due

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

flatten

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

flowed

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

freight

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

glimpse

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

good-sized

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

half-mile

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

hand

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

haze

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

From this reading Tall chimneys and a spire or two pointed upward above a smoky haze.

held

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

JUNE

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

lead

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

like

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

Limit

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

line

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

met

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

more

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

near

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

north

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

only

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Tall chimneys and a spire or two pointed upward above a smoky haze.

parapet

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

past

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

pointed

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

From this reading Tall chimneys and a spire or two pointed upward above a smoky haze.

pounded

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

rails

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

really

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

river

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

roundhouse

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

Sam

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

sentries

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

sight

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

sign

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

single

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

sluggish

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

smoky

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

From this reading Tall chimneys and a spire or two pointed upward above a smoky haze.

spire

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

From this reading Tall chimneys and a spire or two pointed upward above a smoky haze.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

STRIKES

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

sun

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

switches

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

Tall

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

From this reading Tall chimneys and a spire or two pointed upward above a smoky haze.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

there

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

tightly

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

town

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

From this reading By the time the sun was really in sight they had covered the better part of a half-mile and had caught a glimpse of a good-sized town in the distance.

tracknounUS /træk/

a route or signs showing the way someone went

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

train

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

travel

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

two

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

From this reading Tall chimneys and a spire or two pointed upward above a smoky haze.

up

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.

upward

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

From this reading Tall chimneys and a spire or two pointed upward above a smoky haze.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

Wayne's

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

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

westerly

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

From this reading JUNE STRIKES A BARGAIN That they didn’t travel absolutely due north was only because the track chose to lead more westerly.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading They crossed a big bridge beneath which flowed a broad and sluggish river, and had to flatten themselves against the parapet, Sam held tightly in Wayne’s arms, while a long freight train pounded past them on the single line of track.

Yard

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

From this reading Beyond the bridge a “Yard Limit” sign met them, and the rails branched and switches stood up here and there like sentries and a roundhouse was near at hand.