The Black Opal

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of The Black Opal is here in full — 114 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Katharine Susannah Prichard • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

Michael had been at the windlass for an hour or thereabouts, when Watty Frost, who was going along to his claim with Pony-Fence Inglewood and Bully Bryant, saw Michael on the top of his dump, tossing mullock.

"Who's Michael working with?" he asked.

Pony-Fence and Bully Bryant considered, and shook their heads, smoking thoughtfully.

Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

Narrator

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.

Chapter VI Reading 1/22

The Black Opal Katharine Susannah Prichard

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of The Black Opal is here in full — 114 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling. Michael had been at the windlass for an hour or thereabouts, when Watty Frost, who was going along to his claim with Pony-Fence Inglewood and Bully Bryant, saw Michael on the top of his dump, tossing mullock. "Who's Michael working with?" he asked. Pony-Fence and Bully Bryant considered, and shook their heads, smoking thoughtfully. Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

The Black Opal

Chapter VI

Chapter 6 of The Black Opal is here in full — 114 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

Line 2

Line 3

"Who's Michael working with?" he asked.

Line 4

Pony-Fence and Bully Bryant considered, and shook their heads, smoking thoughtfully.

Line 5

Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

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.

Bully noun US /ˈbʊli/

a cruel and brutal fellow

From this reading “Michael had been at the windlass for an hour or thereabouts, when Watty Frost, who was going along to his claim with Pony-Fence Inglewood and Bully Bryant, saw Michael on the top of his dump, tossing mullock.”

Crosses noun US /ˈkrɔːsɪz/

plural of “cross” — a wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece

From this reading “Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.”

cuckoos noun US /ˈkuːkuːz/

plural of “cuckoo” — a man who is a stupid incompetent fool

From this reading “Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.”

dump verb US /dʌmp/

throw away as refuse

sprawled verb US /sprɔːld/

past form of “sprawl” — sit or lie with one's limbs spread out

From this reading “Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.”

thereabouts adverb US /ˌðerəˈbaʊts/

near that time or date

windlass noun US /ˈwɪndləs/

lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds

wisp noun US /wɪsp/

a small tuft or lock

From this reading “Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.”

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.

next morning adjective + noun

In this reading “Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.”

bright eyes adjective + noun

In this reading “Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.”

on the top preposition + article + noun counted as “on … top”

In this reading “Michael had been at the windlass for an hour or thereabouts, when Watty Frost, who was going along to his claim with Pony-Fence Inglewood and Bully Bryant, saw Michael on the top of his dump, tossing mullock.”

glanced up verb + adjective counted as “glance up”

In this reading “Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.”

went through verb + particle counted as “go through”

undergo or live through a difficult experience

In this reading “Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.”

for an hour preposition + article + noun counted as “for … hour”

All words in this reading · 72

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 Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Michael had been at the windlass for an hour or thereabouts, when Watty Frost, who was going along to his claim with Pony-Fence Inglewood and Bully Bryant, saw Michael on the top of his dump, tossing mullock.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Who's Michael working with?" he asked.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

Bryant

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

BullynounUS /ˈbʊli/

a cruel and brutal fellow

callingnounUS /ˈkɔːlɪŋ/

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

claimnounUS /kleɪm/

an assertion of a right (as to money or property)

consideredadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərd/

carefully weighed

From this reading Pony-Fence and Bully Bryant considered, and shook their heads, smoking thoughtfully.

CrossesnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪz/

plural of “cross” — a wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

cuckoosnounUS /ˈkuːkuːz/

plural of “cuckoo” — a man who is a stupid incompetent fool

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

dumpverbUS /dʌmp/

throw away as refuse

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

FrostnounUS /frɔːst/

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

glancedverbUS /ɡlænst/

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "Who's Michael working with?" he asked.

headsnounUS /hedz/

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Pony-Fence and Bully Bryant considered, and shook their heads, smoking thoughtfully.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

Inglewood

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

layverbUS /leɪ/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

MichaelnounUS /ˈmaɪkəl/

(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

mullock

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

nextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

nickering

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

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

Pony-Fence

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

Potch

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

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

shooknounUS /ʃʊk/

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading Pony-Fence and Bully Bryant considered, and shook their heads, smoking thoughtfully.

slopenounUS /sloʊp/

an elevated geological formation

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

smileverbUS /smaɪl/

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

smokingnounUS /ˈsmoʊkɪŋ/

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading Pony-Fence and Bully Bryant considered, and shook their heads, smoking thoughtfully.

Snow-Shoes

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

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

sprawledverbUS /sprɔːld/

past form of “sprawl” — sit or lie with one's limbs spread out

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Pony-Fence and Bully Bryant considered, and shook their heads, smoking thoughtfully.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

thereaboutsadverbUS /ˌðerəˈbaʊts/

near that time or date

thoughtfullyadverbUS /ˈθɔːtfəli/

in a thoughtful manner

From this reading Pony-Fence and Bully Bryant considered, and shook their heads, smoking thoughtfully.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

topnounUS /tɑːp/

the upper part of anything

tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/

-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

Watty

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

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

Who's

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

From this reading "Who's Michael working with?" he asked.

windlassnounUS /ˈwɪndləs/

lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds

wispnounUS /wɪsp/

a small tuft or lock

From this reading Snow-Shoes, where he lay sprawled across the slope of Crosses' dump, glanced up at them, and the nickering wisp of a smile went through his bright eyes.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Michael and Potch were at work next morning as soon as the first cuckoos were calling.

workingadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading "Who's Michael working with?" he asked.

Chapter 6 of The Black Opal by Katharine Susannah Prichard holds 114 sentences, grouped into 23 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 6 of The Black Opal contain?

Chapter 6 holds 114 sentences of The Black Opal, unabridged, divided into 23 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 6 of The Black Opal by Katharine Susannah Prichard exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 114 sentences, grouped into 23 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 6 of The Black Opal?

Work through the 23 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 23 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 6 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 6 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 The Black Opal

Common questions about reading The Black Opal by Katharine Susannah Prichard on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Black Opal?

Yes. All 6229 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #36710 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Black Opal is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #36710, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Black Opal take to read?

About 519 minutes of reading across 1246 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Black Opal section by section

How to work through The Black Opal section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Black Opal

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Black Opal, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Black Opal; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pioneers: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Black Opal; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Windlestraws: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Black Opal; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
String: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Black Opal; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter VI

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Vocabulary met early in The Black Opal