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The Hot Swamp
The Hot Swamp

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of The Hot Swamp is here in full — 442 sentences across 89 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Hot Swamp
Context Illustration Reading 1/88 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.
Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.
Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.
If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.
"They may do as seemeth to them good in the outer hut.
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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 Hot Swamp

Chapter V · Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of The Hot Swamp is here in full — 442 sentences across 89 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/88 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.
/ðə ˈhiːbruː læft ˈpætɪd ðə ɡɜːrl ɑːn ðə hed ənd sent hɜːr ɔːf tuː rest/
Line 2
Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.
Line 3
Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.
Line 4
If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.
/ɪf ˈeni wʌn ʃʊd kʌm tuː ɪt ʃiː wɑːz tuː riˈtriːt tuː ðə ˈɪnər ˈkæv.ərn ənd wɪðˈdrɔː ðə brɪdʒ/
Line 5
"They may do as seemeth to them good in the outer hut.

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.

busied verb US /ˈbɪzid/

inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with

From this reading “Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.”

cavern noun US /ˈkæv.ərn/

A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.

From this reading “If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.”

daybreak noun US /ˈdeɪbreɪk/

the first light of day

From this reading “Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.”

Hebrew noun US /ˈhiːbruː/

the ancient Canaanitic language of the Hebrews that has been revived as the official language of Israel

From this reading “The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.”

patted verb US /ˈpætɪd/

inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin

From this reading “The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.”

preparation noun US /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/

the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading “Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.”

strict adjective US /strɪkt/

rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading “Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.”

withdraw verb US /wɪðˈdrɔː/

pull back or move away or backward

From this reading “If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.”

All words in this reading · 63

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.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "They may do as seemeth to them good in the outer hut.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

Branwen

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

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

bridgenounUS /brɪdʒ/

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.

busiedverbUS /ˈbɪzid/

inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with

From this reading Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.

cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/

A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.

From this reading If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.

chargeverbUS /tʃɑːrdʒ/

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

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

From this reading If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.

daybreaknounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/

the first light of day

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "They may do as seemeth to them good in the outer hut.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.

girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/

a young female

From this reading The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "They may do as seemeth to them good in the outer hut.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.

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 The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.

HebrewnounUS /ˈhiːbruː/

the ancient Canaanitic language of the Hebrews that has been revived as the official language of Israel

From this reading The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.

hutnounUS /hʌt/

temporary military shelter

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.

inneradjectiveUS /ˈɪnər/

located inward

From this reading If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.

journeyverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.

keepverbUS /kiːp/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

laughedverbUS /læft/

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.

leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

long-delayed

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

From this reading Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.

makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "They may do as seemeth to them good in the outer hut.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

NextadjectiveUS /nekst/

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

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

From this reading The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.

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 Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading "They may do as seemeth to them good in the outer hut.

pattedverbUS /ˈpætɪd/

inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin

From this reading The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.

preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/

the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.

restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.

retreatnounUS /riˈtriːt/

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.

seemeth

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

From this reading "They may do as seemeth to them good in the outer hut.

sentnounUS /sent/

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.

sightnounUS /saɪt/

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

strictadjectiveUS /strɪkt/

rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "They may do as seemeth to them good in the outer hut.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading "They may do as seemeth to them good in the outer hut.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The Hebrew laughed, patted the girl on the head and sent her off to rest.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Then he busied himself in making preparation for his too long-delayed journey.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.

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 Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Next morning, before daybreak, he set off, leaving Branwen in charge of the hut, with strict orders to keep well out of sight.

withdrawverbUS /wɪðˈdrɔː/

pull back or move away or backward

From this reading If any one should come to it she was to retreat to the inner cavern and withdraw the bridge.

Chapter 5 of The Hot Swamp by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne holds 442 sentences, grouped into 89 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 5 of The Hot Swamp contain?

Chapter 5 holds 442 sentences of The Hot Swamp, unabridged, divided into 89 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of The Hot Swamp by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 442 sentences, grouped into 89 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 5 of The Hot Swamp?

Work through the 89 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 89 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 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 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 Hot Swamp

Common questions about reading The Hot Swamp by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Hot Swamp?

Yes. All 4288 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #21757 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Hot Swamp is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #21757, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Hot Swamp take to read?

About 357 minutes of reading across 858 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Hot Swamp section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 10 chapters of The Hot Swamp 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 Hot Swamp

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

Swamp
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Hot Swamp; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ballantyne
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Hot Swamp; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chapter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Hot Swamp; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Romance
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Hot Swamp; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.