Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Country of the Dwarfs
The Country of the Dwarfs

Chapter XIV

Chapter 14 of The Country of the Dwarfs is here in full — 180 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Paul B. (Paul Belloni) Du Chaillu • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Country of the Dwarfs
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.
THE threat of Quengueza had the desired effect.
At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.
No amount of pay could induce more to come.
They were afraid of trouble.
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.

The Country of the Dwarfs

Chapter XIV

Chapter 14 of The Country of the Dwarfs is here in full — 180 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.
Line 2
THE threat of Quengueza had the desired effect.
Line 3
At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.
Line 4
No amount of pay could induce more to come.
/noʊ əˈmaʊnt ʌv peɪ kʊd ˌɪnˈduːs mɔːr tuː kʌm/
Line 5
They were afraid of trouble.
/ðeɪ wɜːr əˈfreɪd ʌv ˈtrʌbəl/

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.

cunning adjective US /ˈkʌnɪŋ/

attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness

From this reading “DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
feasting noun US /ˈfiːstɪŋ/

eating an elaborate meal (often accompanied by entertainment)

From this reading “DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
induce verb US /ˌɪnˈduːs/

cause to arise

From this reading “No amount of pay could induce more to come.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
misfortune noun US /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/

unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

From this reading “DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
plot noun US /plɑːt/

a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)

From this reading “DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
porters noun US /ˈpɔːrtərz/

plural of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading “DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rascal noun US /ˈræskəl/

a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

From this reading “DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
threat noun US /θret/

something that is a source of danger

From this reading “THE threat of Quengueza had the desired effect.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

desired effect adjective + noun

In this reading “THE threat of Quengueza had the desired effect.”

974 times in 225,867 chapters
about thirty preposition + noun

In this reading “At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.”

4,049 times in 225,867 chapters
OLD RASCAL adjective + noun

In this reading “DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.”

726 times in 225,867 chapters
succeeded in verb + particle counted as “succeed in”

In this reading “At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.”

37,186 times in 225,867 chapters
WITHOUT FOOD preposition + noun

In this reading “DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.”

1,713 times in 225,867 chapters
IN THE FOREST preposition + article + noun counted as “in … forest”

In this reading “DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.”

13,525 times in 225,867 chapters
in getting preposition + noun

In this reading “At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.”

11,853 times in 225,867 chapters

All words in this reading · 59

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 DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
afraidadjectiveUS /əˈfreɪd/

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading They were afraid of trouble.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
amountnounUS /əˈmaʊnt/

a quantity of money

From this reading No amount of pay could induce more to come.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ASHIRA

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

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

Pending verification
AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading No amount of pay could induce more to come.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading No amount of pay could induce more to come.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
CUNNINGadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/

attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DEPARTUREnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtʃər/

the act of departing

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
desiredadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪərd/

wanted intensely

From this reading THE threat of Quengueza had the desired effect.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DESPERATEadjectiveUS /ˈdesprɪt/

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading THE threat of Quengueza had the desired effect.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FEASTINGnounUS /ˈfiːstɪŋ/

eating an elaborate meal (often accompanied by entertainment)

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FOODnounUS /fuːd/

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FORESTnounUS /ˈfɔːrəst/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
gettingnounUS /ˈɡetɪŋ/

the act of acquiring something

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE threat of Quengueza had the desired effect.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
induceverbUS /ˌɪnˈduːs/

cause to arise

From this reading No amount of pay could induce more to come.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LANDnounUS /lænd/

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LEAVE-TAKINGnoun

the act of departing politely

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MISFORTUNEnounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/

unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MONKEY-MEAT

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

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

Pending verification
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading No amount of pay could induce more to come.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No amount of pay could induce more to come.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OLDadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Ondonga

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

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

Pending verification
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OUTadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
payverbUS /peɪ/

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading No amount of pay could induce more to come.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PLOTnounUS /plɑːt/

a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PORTERSnounUS /ˈpɔːrtərz/

plural of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Quengueza

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

From this reading THE threat of Quengueza had the desired effect.

Pending verification
RASCALnounUS /ˈræskəl/

a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SILENTadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/

marked by absence of sound

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
succeededverbUS /səkˈsiːdɪd/

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They were afraid of trouble.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THIEVISHadjective

given to thievery

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thirtynounUS /ˈθɜːrdiː/

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
threatnounUS /θret/

something that is a source of danger

From this reading THE threat of Quengueza had the desired effect.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading No amount of pay could induce more to come.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/

a source of difficulty

From this reading They were afraid of trouble.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were afraid of trouble.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading At last Ondonga succeeded in getting porters, who, with my own men, made the number of our company about thirty.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WITHOUTprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WOODSnounUS /wʊdz/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading DEPARTURE FROM ASHIRA LAND.--A SILENT LEAVE-TAKING.--THIEVISH PORTERS.--A CUNNING OLD RASCAL.--MISFORTUNE ON MISFORTUNE.--WITHOUT FOOD IN THE FOREST.--A DESPERATE PLOT.--FEASTING ON MONKEY-MEAT.--OUT OF THE WOODS.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 14 of The Country of the Dwarfs by Paul B. (Paul Belloni) Du Chaillu holds 180 sentences, grouped into 36 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 14 of The Country of the Dwarfs contain?

Chapter 14 holds 180 sentences of The Country of the Dwarfs, unabridged, divided into 36 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 14 of The Country of the Dwarfs by Paul B. (Paul Belloni) Du Chaillu exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 180 sentences, grouped into 36 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 14 of The Country of the Dwarfs?

Work through the 36 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 36 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 14 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 14 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 Country of the Dwarfs

Common questions about reading The Country of the Dwarfs by Paul B. (Paul Belloni) Du Chaillu on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Country of the Dwarfs?

Yes. All 3774 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #48643 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Country of the Dwarfs is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #48643, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Country of the Dwarfs take to read?

About 314 minutes of reading across 755 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Country of the Dwarfs section by section

How to work through The Country of the Dwarfs section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 29 chapters of The Country of the Dwarfs 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 Country of the Dwarfs

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Country of the Dwarfs, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Italic
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Country of the Dwarfs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Denoted
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Country of the Dwarfs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Underscores
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Country of the Dwarfs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Equal
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Country of the Dwarfs; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.