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The Entire Project Gutenberg Works of Mark
The Entire Project Gutenberg Works of Mark

Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

Chapter 26 of The Entire Project Gutenberg Works of Mark is here in full — 2440 sentences across 488 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/488 · 5 lines
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WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.
We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.
By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Entire Project Gutenberg Works of Mark

Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

Chapter 26 of The Entire Project Gutenberg Works of Mark is here in full — 2440 sentences across 488 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/488 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.
/wiː wɜːr ˈtwentifaɪv strɔːŋ ənd wel ɪˈkwɪpt/
Line 2
We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
Line 3
In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.
/ɪn tuː ɔːr θriː ˈaʊərz wiː ʃʊd biː ɪn ðə ˈenəmiz ˈkʌntri ənd ðen nʌn wʊd ˈventʃər tuː ˈdezərt/
Line 4
By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
Line 5
They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
/ðeɪ hæd bɪn siːzd baɪ ðə ˈɡʌvərnər æt ðə læst ˈmoʊmənt ənd prest ˈɪntuː ðə ˈsɜːrvəs tuː meɪk ʌp ðə teɪl ənd hiː hæd pleɪst ə ˈvetərən əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd ʌv iːtʃ wɪð ˈɔːrdərz tuː help hɪm stɪk tuː ðə ˈsædəl ənd kɪl hɪm ɪf hiː traɪd tuː ˈdezərt/

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.

alongside adverb US /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/

side by side

From this reading “They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.”

enemy's noun US /ˈenəmiz/

possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading “In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.”

equipped adjective US /ɪˈkwɪpt/

provided or fitted out with what is necessary or useful or appropriate

From this reading “WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.”

file verb US /faɪl/

record in a public office or in a court of law

From this reading “We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.”

groans noun US /ɡroʊnz/

plural of “groan” — an utterance expressing pain or disapproval

From this reading “By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.”

ridden verb US /ˈrɪdən/

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

From this reading “By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.”

saddles noun US /ˈsædəlz/

plural of “saddle” — a seat for the rider of a horse or other animal

From this reading “By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.”

veteran noun US /ˈvetərən/

a serviceman who has seen considerable active service

From this reading “They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.”

All words in this reading · 108

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 By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/

side by side

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

Bertrand

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

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

bodilyadverbUS /ˈbɑːdəli/

in bodily form

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

brothersnounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/

a line of units following one after another

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

denounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

desertverbUS /ˈdezərt/

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

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

difficultadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfəkəlt/

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

doubleverbUS /ˈdʌbəl/

increase twofold

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

enemy'snounUS /ˈenəmiz/

possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

equippedadjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪpt/

provided or fitted out with what is necessary or useful or appropriate

From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.

execrations

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

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

extremeadjectiveUS /ekˈstriːm/

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

fileverbUS /faɪl/

record in a public office or in a court of law

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

findingnounUS /ˈfaɪndɪŋ/

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

governornounUS /ˈɡʌvərnər/

the head of a state government

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

groansnounUS /ɡroʊnz/

plural of “groan” — an utterance expressing pain or disapproval

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

hearverbUS /hiːr/

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

helpverbUS /help/

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

horsenounUS /hɔːrs/

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

inquirynounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/

a search for knowledge

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

JeannounUS /dʒiːn/

a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

Joan

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

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

killverbUS /kɪl/

cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

Metz

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

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

ordersnounUS /ˈɔːrdərz/

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

peasantsnounUS /ˈpezənts/

plural of “peasant” — a country person

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

placedadjectiveUS /pleɪst/

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

pointsnounUS /pɔɪnts/

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

pressedadjectiveUS /prest/

compacted by ironing

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

rearnounUS /rɪr/

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

riddenverbUS /ˈrɪdən/

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

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

rodeverbUS /roʊd/

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

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

saddleverbUS /ˈsædəl/

put a saddle on

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

saddlesnounUS /ˈsædəlz/

plural of “saddle” — a seat for the rider of a horse or other animal

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

seizedverbUS /siːzd/

past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

servicenounUS /ˈsɜːrvəs/

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

Sieur

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

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

sixnounUS /sɪks/

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

sobsnounUS /sɑːbz/

plural of “sob” — a dyspneic condition

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

stayverbUS /steɪ/

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

stickverbUS /stɪk/

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.

sufferverbUS /ˈsʌfər/

undergo or be subjected to

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

talenounUS /teɪl/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

threenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

tortureverbUS /ˈtɔːrtʃər/

torment emotionally or mentally

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/

being five more than twenty

From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

venturenounUS /ˈventʃər/

any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

veterannounUS /ˈvetərən/

a serviceman who has seen considerable active service

From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.

WEpronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.

WEREauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy's country, and then none would venture to desert.

Chapter 26 of The Entire Project Gutenberg Works of Mark by Mark Twain holds 2440 sentences, grouped into 488 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.

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Vocabulary met early in The Entire Project Gutenberg Works of Mark

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Entire Project Gutenberg Works of Mark, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Boyhood
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Entire Project Gutenberg Works of Mark; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Saviour--unseemly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Entire Project Gutenberg Works of Mark; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Antics
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Entire Project Gutenberg Works of Mark; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sober
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Entire Project Gutenberg Works of Mark; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.