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Six Months at the Cape
Six Months at the Cape

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Six Months at the Cape is here in full — 461 sentences across 93 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/92 · 5 lines
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Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.
Robert Michael Ballantyne was born in 1825 and died in 1894.
He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.
The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.
Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Six Months at the Cape

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Six Months at the Cape is here in full — 461 sentences across 93 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/92 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.
Line 2
Robert Michael Ballantyne was born in 1825 and died in 1894.
Line 3
He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.
Line 4
The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.
/ðə ˈletərz hiː hæd ˈrɪtən hoʊm wɜːr ˈveri əˈmjuːzɪŋ ɪn ðer dɪˈskrɪpʃən ʌv ˈbæˈkwʊdz laɪf ənd hɪz ˈfæməli ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ kəˈnekʃənz səˈdʒestɪd ðæt hiː ʃʊd kənˈstrʌkt ə bʊk beɪst ɑːn ðiːz ˈletərz/
Line 5
Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

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.

backwoods noun US /ˈbæˈkwʊdz/

a remote and undeveloped area

From this reading “The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.”

connections noun US /kəˈnekʃənz/

plural of “connection” — a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)

From this reading “The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.”

construct verb US /kənˈstrʌkt/

make by combining materials and parts

From this reading “The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.”

decade noun US /deˈkeɪd/

a period of 10 years

From this reading “Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.”

Hudson noun US /ˈhʌdsən/

a New York river; flows southward into New York Bay; explored by Henry Hudson early in the 17th century

From this reading “He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.”

publishing noun US /ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ/

the business of issuing printed matter for sale or distribution

From this reading “The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.”

Rattler noun US /ˈrætələr/

pit viper with horny segments at the end of the tail that rattle when shaken

From this reading “Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.”

Traders noun US /ˈtreɪdərz/

plural of “trader” — someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold

From this reading “Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.”

All words in this reading · 97

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.

1825

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

From this reading Robert Michael Ballantyne was born in 1825 and died in 1894.

1841

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

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

1847

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

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

1848

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

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

1894

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

From this reading Robert Michael Ballantyne was born in 1825 and died in 1894.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

AcademynounUS /əˈkæd.ə.mi/

A place of study or training in a special field of knowledge and arts.

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/

providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Robert Michael Ballantyne was born in 1825 and died in 1894.

arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/

-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

BnounUS /biː/

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

backwoodsnounUS /ˈbæˈkwʊdz/

a remote and undeveloped area

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

Ballantyne

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

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

basedadjectiveUS /beɪst/

having a base

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

BaynounUS /beɪ/

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

booknounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/

brought into existence

From this reading Robert Michael Ballantyne was born in 1825 and died in 1894.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

CnounUS /siː/

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

CanadanounUS /ˈkænədə/

a nation in northern North America; the French were the first Europeans to settle in mainland Canada

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

CapenounUS /keɪp/

a strip of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

clerknounUS /klɜːrk/

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

CompanynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

connectionsnounUS /kəˈnekʃənz/

plural of “connection” — a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

constructverbUS /kənˈstrʌkt/

make by combining materials and parts

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

CoralnounUS /ˈkɔːrəl/

a variable color averaging a deep pink

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

decadenounUS /deˈkeɪd/

a period of 10 years

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

descriptionnounUS /dɪˈskrɪpʃən/

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

diedverbUS /daɪd/

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Robert Michael Ballantyne was born in 1825 and died in 1894.

EdinburghnounUS /ˈedənbəroʊ/

the capital of Scotland; located in the Lothian Region on the south side of the Firth of Forth

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

educatedadjectiveUS /ˈedʒəkeɪtɪd/

possessing an education (especially having more than average knowledge)

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

enduringadjectiveUS /enˈdjʊrɪŋ/

lasting a long time

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/

plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

familynounUS /ˈfæməli/

a social unit living together

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

friendnounUS /frend/

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

FurnounUS /fɜːr/

the dressed hairy coat of a mammal

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

HnounUS /eɪtʃ/

a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

HudsonnounUS /ˈhʌdsən/

a New York river; flows southward into New York Bay; explored by Henry Hudson early in the 17th century

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Robert Michael Ballantyne was born in 1825 and died in 1894.

islandnounUS /ˈaɪlənd/

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

LettersnounUS /ˈletərz/

the literary culture

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

MnounUS /em/

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

MartinnounUS /ˈmɑːrtən/

French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

MichaelnounUS /ˈmaɪkəl/

(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews

From this reading Robert Michael Ballantyne was born in 1825 and died in 1894.

MonthsnounUS /mʌnθs/

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

Northen

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

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/

an amount of time

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

Periwinklenoun

chiefly trailing poisonous plants with blue flowers

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

placesnounUS /ˈpleɪsəz/

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

publishingnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ/

the business of issuing printed matter for sale or distribution

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

RnounUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

RattlernounUS /ˈrætələr/

pit viper with horny segments at the end of the tail that rattle when shaken

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

RednounUS /red/

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

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

RivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

RobertnounUS /ˈrɑːbərt/

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading Robert Michael Ballantyne was born in 1825 and died in 1894.

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 He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

SixnounUS /sɪks/

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

suggestedverbUS /səˈdʒestɪd/

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

ThreenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Six Months at the Cape, Letters to his friend Periwinkle, by R.M. Ballantyne.

TradersnounUS /ˈtreɪdərz/

plural of “trader” — someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

Ungava

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

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

visitedverbUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪd/

past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Robert Michael Ballantyne was born in 1825 and died in 1894.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

workingadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and in 1841 he became a clerk with the Hudson Bay Company, working at the Red River Settlement in Northen Canada until 1847, arriving back in Edinburgh in 1848.

writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading The letters he had written home were very amusing in their description of backwoods life, and his family publishing connections suggested that he should construct a book based on these letters.

wroteverbUS /roʊt/

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

YoungadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Three of his most enduring books were written over the next decade, "The Young Fur Traders", "Ungava", "The Hudson Bay Company", and were based on his experiences with the H.B.C. In this period he also wrote "The Coral island" and "Martin Rattler", both of these taking place in places never visited by Ballantyne.

Chapter 1 of Six Months at the Cape by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne holds 461 sentences, grouped into 93 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of Six Months at the Cape contain?

Chapter 1 holds 461 sentences of Six Months at the Cape, unabridged, divided into 93 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Six Months at the Cape by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 461 sentences, grouped into 93 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of Six Months at the Cape?

Work through the 93 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 93 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

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

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

Questions about reading Six Months at the Cape

Common questions about reading Six Months at the Cape by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Six Months at the Cape?

Yes. All 1859 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #21704 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Six Months at the Cape is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #21704, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Six Months at the Cape take to read?

About 154 minutes of reading across 372 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Six Months at the Cape section by section

How to work through Six Months at the Cape section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 4 chapters of Six Months at the Cape 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 Six Months at the Cape

Words and structures a reader meets early in Six Months at the Cape, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Months
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Six Months at the Cape; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Letters
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Six Months at the Cape; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Friend
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Six Months at the Cape; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Periwinkle
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Six Months at the Cape; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.