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The Land of the Long Night
The Land of the Long Night

Chapter XXX · Chapter 30

Chapter 30 of The Land of the Long Night is here in full — 83 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Paul B. (Paul Belloni) Du Chaillu • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Land of the Long Night
Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.
After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:
The battle of Svold took place in the year one thousand.
Olaf Tryggvasson, King of Norway, had left Vindland in the Baltic and was on his way back to Norway with his fleet.
He was on his ship the _Ormrinn Lange_ (the "Long Serpent").
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Land of the Long Night

Chapter XXX · Chapter 30

Chapter 30 of The Land of the Long Night is here in full — 83 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.
Line 2
After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:
Line 3
The battle of Svold took place in the year one thousand.
Line 4
Olaf Tryggvasson, King of Norway, had left Vindland in the Baltic and was on his way back to Norway with his fleet.
Line 5
He was on his ship the _Ormrinn Lange_ (the "Long Serpent").

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.

Baltic noun US /ˈbɔːltɪk/

a sea in northern Europe; stronghold of the Russian navy

From this reading “Olaf Tryggvasson, King of Norway, had left Vindland in the Baltic and was on his way back to Norway with his fleet.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
clustered adjective US /ˈklʌstərd/

growing close together but not in dense mats

From this reading “After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
denmark noun US /ˈdenmɑːrk/

a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe; consists of the mainland of Jutland and many islands between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

From this reading “A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Lange noun US /læŋ/

United States photographer remembered for her portraits of rural workers during the Depression (1895-1965)

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
norway noun US /ˈnɔːrweɪ/

a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe on the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula; achieved independence from Sweden in 1905

From this reading “A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
puffs noun US /pʌfs/

plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air

From this reading “After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sweden noun US /ˈswiːdən/

a Scandinavian kingdom in the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula

From this reading “A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
viking noun US /ˈvaɪkɪŋ/

any of the Scandinavian people who raided the coasts of Europe from the 8th to the 11th centuries

From this reading “A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 69

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 A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AGAINSTprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AMBUSHverbUS /ˈæmbʊʃ/

wait in hiding to attack

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ATTACKnounUS /əˈtæk/

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Olaf Tryggvasson, King of Norway, had left Vindland in the Baltic and was on his way back to Norway with his fleet.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BalticnounUS /ˈbɔːltɪk/

a sea in northern Europe; stronghold of the Russian navy

From this reading Olaf Tryggvasson, King of Norway, had left Vindland in the Baltic and was on his way back to Norway with his fleet.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BARDI

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

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Pending verification
battlenounUS /ˈbætəl/

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading The battle of Svold took place in the year one thousand.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

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

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
clusteredadjectiveUS /ˈklʌstərd/

growing close together but not in dense mats

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DEFEATnounUS /dɪˈfiːt/

an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DENMARKnounUS /ˈdenmɑːrk/

a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe; consists of the mainland of Jutland and many islands between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ERIK

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

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Pending verification
FIGHTverbUS /faɪt/

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fleetnounUS /fliːt/

group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership

From this reading Olaf Tryggvasson, King of Norway, had left Vindland in the Baltic and was on his way back to Norway with his fleet.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
fournounUS /fɔːr/

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
GREATadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

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

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

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
JARL

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

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Pending verification
JARN

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

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Pending verification
KINGnounUS /kɪŋ/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LangenounUS /læŋ/

United States photographer remembered for her portraits of rural workers during the Depression (1895-1965)

From this reading He was on his ship the _Ormrinn Lange_ (the "Long Serpent").

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Larsen

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

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

Pending verification
leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Olaf Tryggvasson, King of Norway, had left Vindland in the Baltic and was on his way back to Norway with his fleet.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LIEverbUS /laɪ/

be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LONGadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MAGNIFICENTadjectiveUS /mæɡˈnɪfəsənt/

characterized by grandeur

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NORWAYnounUS /ˈnɔːrweɪ/

a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe on the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula; achieved independence from Sweden in 1905

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OLAF

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

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Pending verification
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Olaf Tryggvasson, King of Norway, had left Vindland in the Baltic and was on his way back to Norway with his fleet.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The battle of Svold took place in the year one thousand.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Ormrinn

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

From this reading He was on his ship the _Ormrinn Lange_ (the "Long Serpent").

Pending verification
pipenounUS /paɪp/

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
placenounUS /pleɪs/

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The battle of Svold took place in the year one thousand.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
puffsnounUS /pʌfs/

plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
READYadjectiveUS /ˈredi/

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
roundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SEAnounUS /siː/

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SERPENTnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənt/

limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shipverbUS /ʃɪp/

transport commercially

From this reading He was on his ship the _Ormrinn Lange_ (the "Long Serpent").

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SHIPSnounUS /ʃɪps/

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SVEIN

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

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Pending verification
Svold

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

From this reading The battle of Svold took place in the year one thousand.

Pending verification
SWEDENnounUS /ˈswiːdən/

a Scandinavian kingdom in the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THEYpronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading The battle of Svold took place in the year one thousand.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
threenounUS /θriː/

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

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Olaf Tryggvasson, King of Norway, had left Vindland in the Baltic and was on his way back to Norway with his fleet.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
tookverbUS /tʊk/

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading The battle of Svold took place in the year one thousand.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TRYGGVASSON

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

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

Pending verification
VIKINGnounUS /ˈvaɪkɪŋ/

any of the Scandinavian people who raided the coasts of Europe from the 8th to the 11th centuries

From this reading A GREAT VIKING SEA FIGHT.--SVEIN KING OF DENMARK, OLAF KING OF SWEDEN, ERIK JARL OF NORWAY, AGAINST KING OLAF TRYGGVASSON OF NORWAY.--THEY LIE IN AMBUSH.--MAGNIFICENT SHIPS.--THE _LONG SERPENT_.--READY FOR THE FIGHT.--THE ATTACK.--THE _JARN BARDI_.--DEFEAT OF OLAF TRYGGVASSON.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Vindland

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

From this reading Olaf Tryggvasson, King of Norway, had left Vindland in the Baltic and was on his way back to Norway with his fleet.

Pending verification
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Olaf Tryggvasson, King of Norway, had left Vindland in the Baltic and was on his way back to Norway with his fleet.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Olaf Tryggvasson, King of Norway, had left Vindland in the Baltic and was on his way back to Norway with his fleet.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading After we had clustered round Captain Larsen, he gave three or four big puffs of his pipe and began:

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Olaf Tryggvasson, King of Norway, had left Vindland in the Baltic and was on his way back to Norway with his fleet.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The battle of Svold took place in the year one thousand.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 30 of The Land of the Long Night by Paul B. (Paul Belloni) Du Chaillu holds 83 sentences, grouped into 17 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 30 of The Land of the Long Night contain?

Chapter 30 holds 83 sentences of The Land of the Long Night, unabridged, divided into 17 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 30 of The Land of the Long Night by Paul B. (Paul Belloni) Du Chaillu exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 83 sentences, grouped into 17 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 30 of The Land of the Long Night?

Work through the 17 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 17 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 30 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 30 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 Land of the Long Night

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

Is this the complete text of The Land of the Long Night?

Yes. All 3631 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #22727 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Land of the Long Night is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #22727, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Land of the Long Night take to read?

About 302 minutes of reading across 727 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Land of the Long Night section by section

How to work through The Land of the Long Night section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 36 chapters of The Land of the Long Night 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 Land of the Long Night

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Land of the Long Night, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Night
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Land of the Long Night; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Homesick
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Land of the Long Night; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Tempted
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Land of the Long Night; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Return
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Land of the Long Night; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.