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The River of Darkness
The River of Darkness

Chapter XXXIV · Chapter 34

Chapter 34 of The River of Darkness is here in full — 92 sentences across 19 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The River of Darkness
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A TERRIBLE RIDE.
Their first act showed the true character of these brave men.
"Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.
Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.
"We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The River of Darkness

Chapter XXXIV · Chapter 34

Chapter 34 of The River of Darkness is here in full — 92 sentences across 19 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A TERRIBLE RIDE.
/ə ˈterəbəl raɪd/
Line 2
Their first act showed the true character of these brave men.
/ðer fɜːrst ækt ʃoʊd ðə truː ˈkerɪktər ʌv ðiːz breɪv men/
Line 3
"Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.
Line 4
Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.
/rɪˈnuːd hoʊp wɑːz ˈvɪzəbəl ɑːn ðer ˈfeɪsəz wen ðeɪ roʊz tuː ðer fiːt ɪn ðə dɪm laɪt ʌv ðə tɔːrtʃ/
Line 5
"We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."
/wiː wɪl pʊt ðə ræft təˈɡeðər sed ɡaɪ ənd ðen hæv ˈsʌmθɪŋ tuː iːt bɪˈfɔːr wiː stɑːrt/

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.

deliverance noun US /dɪˈlɪvərəns/

recovery or preservation from loss or danger

From this reading “"Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.”

fervent adjective US /ˈfɜːrvənt/

characterized by intense emotion

From this reading “"Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.”

Guy noun US /ɡaɪ/

an informal term for a youth or man

From this reading “"Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.”

kneeling noun US /ˈniːlɪŋ/

supporting yourself on your knees

From this reading “"Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.”

raft noun US /ræft/

a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers

From this reading “"We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."”

Renewed adjective US /rɪˈnuːd/

restored to a new condition

From this reading “Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.”

solemnly adverb US /ˈsɔːləmli/

in a grave and sedate manner

From this reading “"Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.”

torch noun US /tɔːrtʃ/

a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance

From this reading “Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 TERRIBLE RIDE.

actverbUS /ækt/

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading Their first act showed the true character of these brave men.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."

braveadjectiveUS /breɪv/

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading Their first act showed the true character of these brave men.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Their first act showed the true character of these brave men.

deliverancenounUS /dɪˈlɪvərəns/

recovery or preservation from loss or danger

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

dimadjectiveUS /dɪm/

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.

eatverbUS /iːt/

take in solid food

From this reading "We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."

examplenounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

facesnounUS /ˈfeɪsəz/

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.

feetnounUS /fiːt/

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.

ferventadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːrvənt/

characterized by intense emotion

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Their first act showed the true character of these brave men.

followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

GuynounUS /ɡaɪ/

an informal term for a youth or man

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

hopenounUS /hoʊp/

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.

kneelingnounUS /ˈniːlɪŋ/

supporting yourself on your knees

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

Letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading Their first act showed the true character of these brave men.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Their first act showed the true character of these brave men.

offeredverbUS /ˈɔːfərd/

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

prayernounUS /prer/

the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

putverbUS /pʊt/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."

raftnounUS /ræft/

a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers

From this reading "We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."

RenewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/

restored to a new condition

From this reading Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.

RIDEverbUS /raɪd/

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading A TERRIBLE RIDE.

rosenounUS /roʊz/

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

sandnounUS /sænd/

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Their first act showed the true character of these brave men.

simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

solemnlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːləmli/

in a grave and sedate manner

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."

startverbUS /stɑːrt/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading "We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."

TERRIBLEadjectiveUS /ˈterəbəl/

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading A TERRIBLE RIDE.

thankverbUS /θæŋk/

express gratitude or show appreciation to

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Their first act showed the true character of these brave men.

TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their first act showed the true character of these brave men.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Their first act showed the true character of these brave men.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading "We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."

torchnounUS /tɔːrtʃ/

a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance

From this reading Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.

trueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading Their first act showed the true character of these brave men.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

visibleadjectiveUS /ˈvɪzəbəl/

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."

wetadjectiveUS /wet/

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading "Let us thank God for our deliverance," said Guy solemnly, and kneeling on the wet sand--an example that was followed by all--he offered a simple and fervent prayer.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Renewed hope was visible on their faces when they rose to their feet in the dim light of the torch.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "We will put the raft together," said Guy, "and then have something to eat before we start."

Chapter 34 of The River of Darkness by William Murray Graydon holds 92 sentences, grouped into 19 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 34 of The River of Darkness contain?

Chapter 34 holds 92 sentences of The River of Darkness, unabridged, divided into 19 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 34 of The River of Darkness by William Murray Graydon exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 92 sentences, grouped into 19 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 34 of The River of Darkness?

Work through the 19 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 19 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 34 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 34 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 River of Darkness

Common questions about reading The River of Darkness by William Murray Graydon on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The River of Darkness?

Yes. All 3841 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #24297 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The River of Darkness is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #24297, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The River of Darkness take to read?

About 320 minutes of reading across 769 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The River of Darkness section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The River of Darkness 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 River of Darkness

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

River
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The River of Darkness; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Darkness
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The River of Darkness; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Under
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The River of Darkness; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Africa
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The River of Darkness; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.