Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Snow-Shoes and Sledges
Snow-Shoes and Sledges

Chapter XXV

Chapter 25 of Snow-Shoes and Sledges is here in full — 95 sentences across 19 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Snow-Shoes and Sledges
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.
Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”
On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.
Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.
Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Snow-Shoes and Sledges

Chapter XXV

Chapter 25 of Snow-Shoes and Sledges is here in full — 95 sentences across 19 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.
/sɜːrdʒ dɪˈskʌvərz ə ˈkjʊriəs ˈkæv.ərn æt ðə pɔɪnt wer ˈaʊər ˈtrævələrz hæd əˈɡen strʌk ðə ˈjuːkɑːn ˈnɪrli fɪfˈtiːn ˈhʌndrəd maɪlz frʌm ɪts maʊθ ɪt wɑːz stɪl ə ˈmaɪti striːm tuː maɪlz waɪd/
Line 2
Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”
Line 3
On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.
/ɑːn ðə ˈloʊər ˈrɪvər ðə sledʒ ˈpɑːrti hæd ˈdʒɜːrnid ˈoʊvər ə smuːð ˈsɜːrfəs ˈɔːfərɪŋ bʌt fjuː əbˈstrʌkʃənz/
Line 4
Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.
Line 5
Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

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.

chaotic adjective US /keɪˈɑːtɪk/

lacking a visible order or organization

From this reading “Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.”

discovers verb US /dɪˈskʌvərz/

third-person singular of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading “SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.”

northeast noun US /ˌnɔːrˈθiːst/

the compass point midway between north and east; at 45 degrees

From this reading “Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.”

obstructions noun US /əbˈstrʌkʃənz/

plural of “obstruction” — any structure that makes progress difficult

From this reading “On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.”

palisades noun US /ˌpælɪˈseɪdz/

plural of “palisade” — fortification consisting of a strong fence made of stakes driven into the ground

From this reading “Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.””

Ramparts noun US /ˈræmpɑːrts/

plural of “rampart” — an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

From this reading “Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.””

serge noun US /sɜːrdʒ/

a twilled woolen fabric

From this reading “SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.”

Yukon noun US /ˈjuːkɑːn/

a North American river that flows westward from the Yukon Territory through central Alaska to the Bering Sea

From this reading “SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

smooth surface adjective + noun

In this reading “On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.”

fifteen hundred noun + noun

In this reading “SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.”

hundred miles noun + noun counted as “hundred mile”

In this reading “SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.”

thirty feet noun + noun counted as “thirty foot”

In this reading “Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.”

due north adjective + noun

the cardinal compass point that is at 0 or 360 degrees

In this reading “Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.”

due south adjective + noun

the cardinal compass point that is at 180 degrees

In this reading “Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.”

two miles noun + noun counted as “two mile”

In this reading “SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.”

confronted by verb + particle counted as “confront by”

In this reading “Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.”

All words in this reading · 114

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.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

Anvik

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

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

approachedverbUS /əˈproʊtʃt/

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

arcticnounUS /ˈɑːrktɪk/

the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

bendverbUS /bend/

form a curve

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

boundedadjectiveUS /ˈbaʊndəd/

having the limits or boundaries established

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

CAVERNnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/

A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

chaoticadjectiveUS /keɪˈɑːtɪk/

lacking a visible order or organization

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

confrontedverbUS /kənˈfrʌntəd/

past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

coursenounUS /kɔːrs/

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

CURIOUSadjectiveUS /ˈkjʊriəs/

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

DISCOVERSverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərz/

third-person singular of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

dueadjectiveUS /duː/

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

eastnounUS /iːst/

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

feetnounUS /fiːt/

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.

fifteennounUS /fɪfˈtiːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

formnounUS /fɔːrm/

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/

so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

hardestadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdəst/

superlative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

HudsonnounUS /ˈhʌdsən/

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

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

hummocky

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

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/

ten 10s

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

hundredsnounUS /ˈhʌndrədz/

plural of “hundred” — ten 10s

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

icenounUS /aɪs/

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

journeyedverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrnid/

past form of “journey” — undertake a journey or trip

From this reading On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.

mightyadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪti/

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

milesnounUS /maɪlz/

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

mountainsnounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

mouthnounUS /maʊθ/

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

northnounUS /nɔːrθ/

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

northeastnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθiːst/

the compass point midway between north and east; at 45 degrees

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

obstructionsnounUS /əbˈstrʌkʃənz/

plural of “obstruction” — any structure that makes progress difficult

From this reading On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

offeringnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/

something offered (as a proposal or bid)

From this reading On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.

oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.

OwingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/

owed as a debt

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

palisadesnounUS /ˌpælɪˈseɪdz/

plural of “palisade” — fortification consisting of a strong fence made of stakes driven into the ground

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

partynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/

an organization to gain political power

From this reading On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.

piledverbUS /paɪld/

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

precipices

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

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

RampartsnounUS /ˈræmpɑːrts/

plural of “rampart” — an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

ridgesnounUS /ˈrɪdʒəz/

plural of “ridge” — a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/

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

From this reading On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.

roughadjectiveUS /rʌf/

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

SERGEnounUS /sɜːrdʒ/

a twilled woolen fabric

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/

complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

sidesnounUS /saɪdz/

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

similaradjectiveUS /ˈsɪmələr/

marked by correspondence or resemblance

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

sledgeverbUS /sledʒ/

transport in a sleigh

From this reading On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.

sledging

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

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

smoothadjectiveUS /smuːð/

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

sourcenounUS /sɔːrs/

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

southnounUS /saʊθ/

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

streamnounUS /striːm/

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading On the lower river the sledge party had journeyed over a smooth surface, offering but few obstructions.

tennounUS /ten/

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

thirtynounUS /ˈθɜːrdiː/

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/

plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

travellingnounUS /ˈtrævəlɪŋ/

the act of going from one place to another

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

twentynounUS /ˈtwenti/

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading Owing to this they now found themselves confronted by the hardest kind of sledging over rough, hummocky ice that was often piled in chaotic ridges twenty and thirty feet high.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

UpperadjectiveUS /ˈʌpər/

the topmost one of two

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

watersnounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Their course from Anvik had at first been due north, then northeast, then east, and was now due south, the source of the Yukon towards which they were travelling being some ten degrees south of its great arctic bend.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Above this they found it bounded on both sides by mountains that often approached to its very waters, where, in sheer precipices hundreds of feet high, they form gigantic palisades similar to those of the Hudson, which are known as the “Upper Ramparts.”

wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

YukonnounUS /ˈjuːkɑːn/

a North American river that flows westward from the Yukon Territory through central Alaska to the Bering Sea

From this reading SERGE DISCOVERS A CURIOUS CAVERN At the point where our travellers had again struck the Yukon, nearly fifteen hundred miles from its mouth, it was still a mighty stream two miles wide.

Chapter 25 of Snow-Shoes and Sledges by Kirk Munroe holds 95 sentences, grouped into 19 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 25 of Snow-Shoes and Sledges contain?

Chapter 25 holds 95 sentences of Snow-Shoes and Sledges, unabridged, divided into 19 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 25 of Snow-Shoes and Sledges by Kirk Munroe exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 95 sentences, grouped into 19 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 25 of Snow-Shoes and Sledges?

Work through the 19 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 19 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 25 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 25 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 Snow-Shoes and Sledges

Common questions about reading Snow-Shoes and Sledges by Kirk Munroe on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Snow-Shoes and Sledges?

Yes. All 3458 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #59240 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Snow-Shoes and Sledges is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #59240, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Snow-Shoes and Sledges take to read?

About 288 minutes of reading across 692 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Snow-Shoes and Sledges section by section

How to work through Snow-Shoes and Sledges section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of Snow-Shoes and Sledges 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 Snow-Shoes and Sledges

Words and structures a reader meets early in Snow-Shoes and Sledges, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Snow-Shoes and Sledges; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mates
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Snow-Shoes and Sledges; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Series
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Snow-Shoes and Sledges; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Derrick
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Snow-Shoes and Sledges; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.