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The Indian Drum
The Indian Drum

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of The Indian Drum is here in full — 149 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Indian Drum
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.
Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.
The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.
To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.
Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!
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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 Indian Drum

Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of The Indian Drum is here in full — 149 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
"HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.
Line 2
Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.
/ˈteɪkɪŋ ðə ˈʃɔːrtɪst weɪ tuː ðə kɑːr dek hiː tɜːrnd ˈɪntuː ðə ˈkæbənz tuː riːtʃ ðə ˈpæsəndʒərz kəmˈpænjənweɪ/
Line 3
The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.
Line 4
To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.
/tuː ˈlɪbɜːreɪt ənd θroʊ ˈoʊvərbɔːrd ˈhevəli ˈloʊdɪd kɑːrz frʌm æn enˈdeɪndʒərd ʃɪp wɑːz soʊ ˈdesprɪt æn ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋ ənd soʊ ˈsɜːrtən tuː kɑːst laɪf ðæt men əˈtemptɪd ɪt ˈoʊnli ɪn ˈfaɪnəl ekˈstremətiz wen ðə ʃɪp mʌst biː ˈlaɪtənd æt ˈeni kɑːst/
Line 5
Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

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.

companionway noun US /kəmˈpænjənweɪ/

a stairway or ladder that leads from one deck to another on a ship

From this reading “Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.”

endangered adjective US /enˈdeɪndʒərd/

(of flora or fauna) in imminent danger of extinction

From this reading “To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.”

extremities noun US /ekˈstremətiz/

plural of “extremity” — an external body part that projects from the body

From this reading “To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.”

ferries noun US /ˈferiz/

plural of “ferry” — a boat that transports people or vehicles across a body of water and operates on a regular schedule

From this reading “Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!”

liberate verb US /ˈlɪbɜːreɪt/

give equal rights to; of women and minorities

From this reading “To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.”

lurching verb US /ˈlɜːrtʃɪŋ/

-ing form of “lurch” — walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading “Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!”

navigate verb US /ˈnævəɡeɪt/

travel on water propelled by wind or by other means

From this reading “Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!”

tremors noun US /ˈtremərz/

plural of “tremor” — an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)

From this reading “"HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.”

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.

heavily loaded adverb + adjective

In this reading “To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.”

starboard side noun + noun

In this reading “"HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.”

throw overboard verb + particle

lose (s.th.) or lose the right to (s.th.) by some error, offense, or crime

In this reading “To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.”

ran aft verb + particle counted as “run aft”

In this reading “"HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.”

any cost adjective + noun

In this reading “To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.”

into the cabins preposition + article + noun counted as “into … cabin”

In this reading “Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.”

rumble of verb + particle

In this reading “The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.”

with the clang preposition + article + noun counted as “with … clang”

In this reading “The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.”

All words in this reading · 109

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 Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

advancedadjectiveUS /ədˈvænst/

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

aftadverbUS /æft/

at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

Alan

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

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

attemptnounUS /əˈtempt/

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

attemptedadjectiveUS /əˈtemptɪd/

tried unsuccessfully

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

cabinsnounUS /ˈkæbənz/

plural of “cabin” — small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

carnounUS /kɑːr/

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.

carsnounUS /kɑːrz/

plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

catchingnounUS /ˈkætʃɪŋ/

(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

clangnounUS /klæŋ/

a loud resonant repeating noise

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

clanged

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

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

companionwaynounUS /kəmˈpænjənweɪ/

a stairway or ladder that leads from one deck to another on a ship

From this reading Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.

costnounUS /kɑːst/

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

decknounUS /dek/

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

desperateadjectiveUS /ˈdesprɪt/

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

distinctlyadverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋktli/

clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

endangeredadjectiveUS /enˈdeɪndʒərd/

(of flora or fauna) in imminent danger of extinction

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

extremitiesnounUS /ekˈstremətiz/

plural of “extremity” — an external body part that projects from the body

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

FATHERnounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

fearverbUS /fɪr/

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

ferriesnounUS /ˈferiz/

plural of “ferry” — a boat that transports people or vehicles across a body of water and operates on a regular schedule

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

HEpronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

heartsnounUS /hɑːrts/

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

heavilyadverbUS /ˈhevəli/

to a considerable degree

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

hullnounUS /hʌl/

dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

KILLEDverbUS /kɪld/

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

liberateverbUS /ˈlɪbɜːreɪt/

give equal rights to; of women and minorities

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

lightenedverbUS /ˈlaɪtənd/

past form of “lighten” — make more cheerful

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

loadedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊdɪd/

filled with a great quantity

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/

for more time

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

looseadjectiveUS /luːs/

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

lurchingverbUS /ˈlɜːrtʃɪŋ/

-ing form of “lurch” — walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/

any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/

being or made softer or less loud or clear

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

navigateverbUS /ˈnævəɡeɪt/

travel on water propelled by wind or by other means

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

noisesnounUS /ˈnɔɪzɪz/

plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

overboardadverbUS /ˈoʊvərbɔːrd/

to extremes

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

passengersnounUS /ˈpæsəndʒərz/

plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.

railnounUS /reɪl/

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

ranverbUS /ræn/

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

reachverbUS /riːtʃ/

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.

resounded

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

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

roarsnounUS /rɔːrz/

plural of “roar” — a deep prolonged loud noise

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

rollingadjectiveUS /ˈroʊlɪŋ/

uttered with a trill

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

rosenounUS /roʊz/

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

rumbleverbUS /ˈrʌmbəl/

make a low noise

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

shipverbUS /ʃɪp/

transport commercially

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

shortestadjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtɪst/

superlative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.

shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/

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

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

soundnounUS /saʊnd/

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

soundsnounUS /saʊndz/

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

starboardnounUS /ˈstɑːrbərd/

the right side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

TakingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.

terribleadjectiveUS /ˈterəbəl/

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

throwverbUS /θroʊ/

propel through the air

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

tiltedadjectiveUS /ˈtɪltɪd/

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

tremorsnounUS /ˈtremərz/

plural of “tremor” — an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

tumultnounUS /ˈtuːməlt/

a state of commotion and noise and confusion

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.

undertakingnounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋ/

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Taking the shortest way to the car deck, he turned into the cabins to reach the passengers' companionway.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading To liberate and throw overboard heavily loaded cars from an endangered ship was so desperate an undertaking and so certain to cost life that men attempted it only in final extremities, when the ship must be lightened at any cost.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Alan had never seen the effect of such an attempt, but he had heard of it as the fear which sat always on the hearts of the men who navigate the ferries--the cars loose on a rolling, lurching ship!

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The noises from the car deck, no longer muffled by the cabins, clanged and resounded in terrible tumult; with the clang and rumble of metal, rose shouts and roars of men.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

YOURdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "HE KILLED YOUR FATHER" Alan ran aft along the starboard side, catching at the rail as the deck tilted; the sounds within the hull and the tremors following each sound came to him more distinctly as he advanced.

Chapter 17 of The Indian Drum by William MacHarg holds 149 sentences, grouped into 30 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 17 of The Indian Drum contain?

Chapter 17 holds 149 sentences of The Indian Drum, unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 17 of The Indian Drum by William MacHarg exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 149 sentences, grouped into 30 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 17 of The Indian Drum?

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

Each of the 30 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 17 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 17 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 Indian Drum

Common questions about reading The Indian Drum by William MacHarg on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Indian Drum?

Yes. All 5551 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #33065 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Indian Drum is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #33065, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Indian Drum take to read?

About 462 minutes of reading across 1111 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Indian Drum section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of The Indian Drum 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 Indian Drum

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

Northern
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Indian Drum; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Michigan
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Indian Drum; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Where
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Indian Drum; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Bluff-bowed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Indian Drum; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.