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The Crossing
The Crossing

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Crossing is here in full — 188 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Crossing
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.
And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.
For, by Heaven! if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you.
To Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton.”
So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Crossing

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Crossing is here in full — 188 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.
Line 2
And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.
Line 3
For, by Heaven! if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you.
Line 4
To Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton.”
Line 5
So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

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.

Stood verb US /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading “So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.”

All words in this reading · 67

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.

a

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

am

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

And

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

any

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

are

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

as

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

at

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

back

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

be

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

From this reading For, by Heaven! if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you.

before

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

beware

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

Bouton's

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

by

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

From this reading For, by Heaven! if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you.

captains

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

Clark

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

Colonel

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

depend

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

destroying

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

do

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

From this reading For, by Heaven! if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you.

due

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

fire

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

For

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

From this reading For, by Heaven! if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you.

front

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

grouped

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

Hamilton

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

From this reading “To Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton.”

he

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

Heaven

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

From this reading For, by Heaven! if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you.

him

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

house

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

hurting

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

I

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

If

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

in

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

is

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

justly

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

kind

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

letters

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

Lieutenant-Governor

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

From this reading “To Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton.”

log

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

may

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

mercy

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

From this reading For, by Heaven! if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you.

Monsieur

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

murderer

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

no

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

From this reading For, by Heaven! if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you.

obliged

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

of

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

one

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

or

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

papers

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

possession

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

read

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

shall

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

From this reading For, by Heaven! if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you.

shown

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

From this reading For, by Heaven! if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you.

So

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

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading So read Colonel Clark, as he stood before the log fire in Monsieur Bouton’s house at the back of the town, the captains grouped in front of him.

stores

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

storm

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

such

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

that

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

the

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

there

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

From this reading For, by Heaven! if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you.

to

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

town

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

treatment

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

upon

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

you

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

From this reading “If I am obliged to storm, you may depend upon such treatment as is justly due to a murderer.

your

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

From this reading And beware of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are in your possession; or of hurting one house in the town.

Chapter 16 of The Crossing by Winston Churchill holds 188 sentences, grouped into 38 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 16 of The Crossing contain?

Chapter 16 holds 188 sentences of The Crossing, unabridged, divided into 38 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of The Crossing by Winston Churchill exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 188 sentences, grouped into 38 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 16 of The Crossing?

Work through the 38 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 38 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 16 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 16 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 Crossing

Common questions about reading The Crossing by Winston Churchill on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Crossing?

Yes. All 13346 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #388 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Crossing is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #388, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Crossing take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 2670 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Crossing section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 38 chapters of The Crossing 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 Crossing

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

Under
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Crossing; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ridge
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Crossing; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Evening
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Crossing; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Light
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Crossing; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.