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The Book of Missionary Heroes
The Book of Missionary Heroes

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of The Book of Missionary Heroes is here in full — 149 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.
The sun was beginning to drop toward the edge of the desert away in the direction of the Red Sea.
The shadows of the long swinging legs of the camels wavered in grotesque lines on the sand.
There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.
They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."
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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 Book of Missionary Heroes

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of The Book of Missionary Heroes is here in full — 149 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.
Line 2
The sun was beginning to drop toward the edge of the desert away in the direction of the Red Sea.
/ðə sʌn wɑːz bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ tuː drɑːp təˈwɔːrd ðə edʒ ʌv ðə ˈdezərt əˈweɪ ɪn ðə dərˈekʃən ʌv ðə red siː/
Line 3
The shadows of the long swinging legs of the camels wavered in grotesque lines on the sand.
/ðə ˈʃædoʊz ʌv ðə lɔːŋ ˈswɪŋɪŋ leɡz ʌv ðə ˈkæməlz ˈweɪvərd ɪn ɡroʊˈtesk laɪnz ɑːn ðə sænd/
Line 4
There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.
/ðer wɑːz ə lʊk ʌv ɪkˈsaɪtəd ˌekspekˈteɪʃən ɪn ðə aɪz ʌv ðə jʌŋ ˈærəbz fɔːr baɪ ˈsʌnset ðer fiːt wʊd wɔːk ðə ˈsɪti ʌv ðer driːmz/
Line 5
They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

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.

Arabs noun US /ˈærəbz/

plural of “arab” — a member of a Semitic people originally from the Arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks Arabic and who inhabits much of the Middle East and northern Africa

From this reading “SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.”

birthplace noun US /ˈbɜːrθpleɪs/

the place where someone was born

From this reading “They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."”

Mecca noun US /ˈmekə/

joint capital (with Riyadh) of Saudi Arabia; located in western Saudi Arabia; as the birthplace of Muhammad it is the holiest city of Islam

From this reading “They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."”

Mohammed noun US /moʊˈhæmɪd/

the Arab prophet who, according to Islam, was the last messenger of Allah (570-632)

From this reading “They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."”

skyline noun US /ˈskaɪlaɪn/

the outline of objects seen against the sky

From this reading “SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.”

tawny adjective US /ˈtɑːni/

of a light brown to brownish orange color; the color of tanned leather

From this reading “SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.”

Wanderers noun US /ˈwɑːndərərz/

plural of “wanderer” — someone who leads a wandering unsettled life

wavered verb US /ˈweɪvərd/

past form of “waver” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading “The shadows of the long swinging legs of the camels wavered in grotesque lines on the sand.”

All words in this reading · 94

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.

1800

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

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

1810

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

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

Abdallah

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

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/

in the past

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

AllahnounUS /ˈɑːlə/

Muslim name for the one and only God

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

ArabnounUS /ˈærəb/

a member of a Semitic people originally from the Arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks Arabic and who inhabits much of the Middle East and northern Africa

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

ArabsnounUS /ˈærəbz/

plural of “arab” — a member of a Semitic people originally from the Arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks Arabic and who inhabits much of the Middle East and northern Africa

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The sun was beginning to drop toward the edge of the desert away in the direction of the Red Sea.

beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading The sun was beginning to drop toward the edge of the desert away in the direction of the Red Sea.

birthplacenounUS /ˈbɜːrθpleɪs/

the place where someone was born

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

boundadjectiveUS /baʊnd/

confined by bonds

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.

camelsnounUS /ˈkæməlz/

plural of “camel” — cud-chewing mammal used as a draft or saddle animal in desert regions

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

citynounUS /ˈsɪti/

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

criesnounUS /kraɪz/

plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

DESERTverbUS /ˈdezərt/

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

directionnounUS /dərˈekʃən/

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading The sun was beginning to drop toward the edge of the desert away in the direction of the Red Sea.

dreamsnounUS /driːmz/

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.

dropverbUS /drɑːp/

let fall to the ground

From this reading The sun was beginning to drop toward the edge of the desert away in the direction of the Red Sea.

edgenounUS /edʒ/

the boundary of a surface

From this reading The sun was beginning to drop toward the edge of the desert away in the direction of the Red Sea.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtəd/

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.

expectationnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/

belief about (or mental picture of) the future

From this reading There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.

feetnounUS /fiːt/

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

From this reading There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.

fivenounUS /faɪv/

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.

GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/

distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous

From this reading The shadows of the long swinging legs of the camels wavered in grotesque lines on the sand.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

hiddenadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdən/

not accessible to view

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

hillsnounUS /hɪlz/

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

HolynounUS /ˈhoʊli/

a sacred place of pilgrimage

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/

ten 10s

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The sun was beginning to drop toward the edge of the desert away in the direction of the Red Sea.

IncidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/

plural of “incident” — a single distinct event

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

legsnounUS /leɡz/

staying power

From this reading The shadows of the long swinging legs of the camels wavered in grotesque lines on the sand.

linesnounUS /laɪnz/

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The shadows of the long swinging legs of the camels wavered in grotesque lines on the sand.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The shadows of the long swinging legs of the camels wavered in grotesque lines on the sand.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

MeccanounUS /ˈmekə/

joint capital (with Riyadh) of Saudi Arabia; located in western Saudi Arabia; as the birthplace of Muhammad it is the holiest city of Islam

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

MohammednounUS /moʊˈhæmɪd/

the Arab prophet who, according to Islam, was the last messenger of Allah (570-632)

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

Mohammedannoun

a follower of Mohammed

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

prophetnounUS /ˈprɑːfət/

an authoritative person who divines the future

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

RednounUS /red/

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

From this reading The sun was beginning to drop toward the edge of the desert away in the direction of the Red Sea.

rodeverbUS /roʊd/

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

Sabat

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

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

sandnounUS /sænd/

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading The shadows of the long swinging legs of the camels wavered in grotesque lines on the sand.

SeanounUS /siː/

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading The sun was beginning to drop toward the edge of the desert away in the direction of the Red Sea.

shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading The shadows of the long swinging legs of the camels wavered in grotesque lines on the sand.

skylinenounUS /ˈskaɪlaɪn/

the outline of objects seen against the sky

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

SONSnounUS /sʌnz/

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/

having a supporting base

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

sunnounUS /sʌn/

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The sun was beginning to drop toward the edge of the desert away in the direction of the Red Sea.

sunsetnounUS /ˈsʌnset/

the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon

From this reading There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.

swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/

changing location by moving back and forth

From this reading The shadows of the long swinging legs of the camels wavered in grotesque lines on the sand.

tawnyadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːni/

of a light brown to brownish orange color; the color of tanned leather

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

TimenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The sun was beginning to drop toward the edge of the desert away in the direction of the Red Sea.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

turnsnounUS /tɜːrnz/

plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

TwonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

walknounUS /wɔːk/

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.

WanderersnounUS /ˈwɑːndərərz/

plural of “wanderer” — someone who leads a wandering unsettled life

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

waveredverbUS /ˈweɪvərd/

past form of “waver” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading The shadows of the long swinging legs of the camels wavered in grotesque lines on the sand.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading They were bound for Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, the Holy City toward which every man of the Mohammedan world turns five times a day as he cries, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah."

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading There was a look of excited expectation in the eyes of the young Arabs; for, by sunset, their feet would walk the city of their dreams.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

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

From this reading SONS OF THE DESERT _Abdallah and Sabat_ (Time of Incidents, about 1800-1810) _Two Arab Wanderers_ One day, more than a hundred years ago, two young Arabs, Abdallah and Sabat, rode on their camels toward a city that was hidden among the tawny hills standing upon the skyline.

Chapter 23 of The Book of Missionary Heroes by Basil Mathews holds 149 sentences, grouped into 30 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 23 of The Book of Missionary Heroes contain?

Chapter 23 holds 149 sentences of The Book of Missionary Heroes, unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of The Book of Missionary Heroes by Basil Mathews exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 149 sentences, grouped into 30 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 23 of The Book of Missionary Heroes?

Work through the 30 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 30 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 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 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 Book of Missionary Heroes

Common questions about reading The Book of Missionary Heroes by Basil Mathews on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Book of Missionary Heroes?

Yes. All 3474 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #16657 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Book of Missionary Heroes is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #16657, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Book of Missionary Heroes take to read?

About 289 minutes of reading across 695 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Book of Missionary Heroes section by section

How to work through The Book of Missionary Heroes section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 28 chapters of The Book of Missionary Heroes 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 The Book of Missionary Heroes

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Book of Missionary Heroes, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Dates
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Book of Missionary Heroes; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Three
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Book of Missionary Heroes; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Comrades
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Book of Missionary Heroes; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Purple
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Book of Missionary Heroes; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.