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The Advanced-Guard
The Advanced-Guard

Chapter XXII · Taken by Surprise

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Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.
It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.
Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.
A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.
The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.
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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.

The Advanced-Guard

Chapter XXII · Taken by Surprise

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.
Line 2
It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.
Line 3
Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.
Line 4
A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.
Line 5
The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading “The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.”

Third noun US /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.”

All words in this reading · 91

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 At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.

almost

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

answer

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

From this reading The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.

arrival

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

barrel

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

became

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

broadened

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

came

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

cap

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

conversation

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

despatched

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

From this reading A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.

difficult

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

distinguished

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

elapsed

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

From this reading The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.

entered

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

evident

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

gracious

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

From this reading The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.

halt

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

Halting

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

heard

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

hearing

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

From this reading A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.

hour

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

From this reading The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

Khan

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

ladies

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

man

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

From this reading A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.

matchlock

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

message

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

From this reading A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

moment

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

Murtiza

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

night

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.

ordering

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

path

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

prescribed

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

presently

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

quarter

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

From this reading The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.

ravine

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

requesting

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

resigned

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

From this reading A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.

rocks

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

scarlet

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

sent

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

sentries

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

Sheikh

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

shelter

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

side

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

spot

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

steel

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

summoned

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

From this reading A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.

thirdnounUS /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

travellers

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

turban

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

two

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

voices

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

wait

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

From this reading A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading At last the ravine broadened a little, and almost at the moment when this became evident, voices were heard ordering a halt.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading It was difficult to tell where the voices came from, but presently the travellers distinguished a steel cap and a scarlet turban, and the barrel of a matchlock, among the rocks on either side of the path.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The answer which was returned after a quarter of an hour had elapsed was not a gracious one.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading A third man who was within hearing was summoned and despatched with the message, and the travellers resigned themselves to wait.

word

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

From this reading Halting at the prescribed spot, Murtiza Khan entered into conversation with the sentries, requesting that word might be sent to the Sheikh of the arrival of the two ladies, who asked shelter for the night.