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The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle
The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle

Chapter XIV

Chapter 14 of The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle is here in full — 173 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ARTHUR'S READY RIFLE.
Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.
"You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.
"Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.
If I was your folks, I'd be sort o' uneasy till I saw you safe back."
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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 Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle

Chapter XIV

Chapter 14 of The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle is here in full — 173 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ARTHUR'S READY RIFLE.
/ˈɑːrθərz ˈredi ˈraɪfəl/
Line 2
Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.
Line 3
"You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.
Line 4
"Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.
Line 5
If I was your folks, I'd be sort o' uneasy till I saw you safe back."

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.

arthur's noun US /ˈɑːrθərz/

possessive form of “arthur” — elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading “ARTHUR'S READY RIFLE.”

Hudson's noun US /ˈhʌdsənz/

possessive form of “hudson” — a New York river; flows southward into New York Bay; explored by Henry Hudson early in the 17th century

From this reading “Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.”

kicking noun US /ˈkɪkɪŋ/

a rhythmic thrusting movement of the legs as in swimming or calisthenics

From this reading “"You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.”

miller noun US /ˈmɪlər/

United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)

From this reading “Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.”

pebble noun US /ˈpebəl/

a small smooth rounded rock

From this reading “"You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.”

risky adjective US /ˈrɪski/

involving risk or danger

From this reading “"Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.”

soundly adverb US /ˈsaʊndli/

deeply or completely

From this reading “Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.”

wheeling noun US /ˈwiːlɪŋ/

a city in the northern panhandle of West Virginia on the Ohio river

From this reading “"Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.”

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.

through a country preposition + article + noun counted as “through … country”

In this reading “"Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.”

All words in this reading · 105

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 "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

acquaintedadjectiveUS /əˈkweɪntɪd/

having fair knowledge of

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

ARTHUR'SnounUS /ˈɑːrθərz/

possessive form of “arthur” — elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading ARTHUR'S READY RIFLE.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading If I was your folks, I'd be sort o' uneasy till I saw you safe back."

badenounUS /beɪd/

a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading If I was your folks, I'd be sort o' uneasy till I saw you safe back."

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

boysnounUS /bɔɪz/

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

breakfastverbUS /ˈbrekfəst/

eat an early morning meal

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

continueverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuː/

continue a certain state, condition, or activity

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

disturbedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɜːrbd/

having the place or position changed

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

don't

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

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

fearsnounUS /fɪrz/

plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

folksnounUS /foʊks/

your parents

From this reading If I was your folks, I'd be sort o' uneasy till I saw you safe back."

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

good-bynoun

a farewell remark

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

heartsnounUS /hɑːrts/

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

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

hopenounUS /hoʊp/

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

Hudson'snounUS /ˈhʌdsənz/

possessive form of “hudson” — a New York river; flows southward into New York Bay; explored by Henry Hudson early in the 17th century

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

I'd

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

From this reading If I was your folks, I'd be sort o' uneasy till I saw you safe back."

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

Joe

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

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

journeyverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

keepingnounUS /ˈkiːpɪŋ/

conformity or harmony

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

kickingnounUS /ˈkɪkɪŋ/

a rhythmic thrusting movement of the legs as in swimming or calisthenics

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

KnowingadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊɪŋ/

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

LooksnounUS /lʊks/

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

lucknounUS /lʌk/

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

mannernounUS /ˈmænər/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

mightyadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪti/

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

millernounUS /ˈmɪlər/

United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

mindsnounUS /maɪndz/

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

onounUS /oʊ/

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading If I was your folks, I'd be sort o' uneasy till I saw you safe back."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

pathnounUS /pæθ/

a course of conduct

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

pebblenounUS /ˈpebəl/

a small smooth rounded rock

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

READYadjectiveUS /ˈredi/

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

From this reading ARTHUR'S READY RIFLE.

resumedverbUS /rɪˈzuːmd/

past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

RIFLEverbUS /ˈraɪfəl/

steal goods; take as spoils

From this reading ARTHUR'S READY RIFLE.

riskyadjectiveUS /ˈrɪski/

involving risk or danger

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

safeadjectiveUS /seɪf/

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading If I was your folks, I'd be sort o' uneasy till I saw you safe back."

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading If I was your folks, I'd be sort o' uneasy till I saw you safe back."

sleptverbUS /slept/

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

sortnounUS /sɔːrt/

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading If I was your folks, I'd be sort o' uneasy till I saw you safe back."

soundlyadverbUS /ˈsaʊndli/

deeply or completely

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading If I was your folks, I'd be sort o' uneasy till I saw you safe back."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

uneasyadjectiveUS /əˈniːzi/

lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance

From this reading If I was your folks, I'd be sort o' uneasy till I saw you safe back."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

wheelingnounUS /ˈwiːlɪŋ/

a city in the northern panhandle of West Virginia on the Ohio river

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

wifenounUS /waɪf/

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading Knowing nothing of the fears that disturbed the minds of the miller and his wife Joe and his friends slept soundly, and after an early breakfast resumed their journey with light hearts; but there was something in Mr. Hudson's manner, more than in his words, when he bade them good-by that made the boys wonder if he had anything on his mind that he was keeping from them.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Looks to me as though wheeling through a country that you are not acquainted with, and going among people you don't know anything about, is mighty risky business.

You've

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

From this reading "You've had the best kind of luck so far and I hope it may continue; but I don't know," said he, kicking a pebble out of the path.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading If I was your folks, I'd be sort o' uneasy till I saw you safe back."

Chapter 14 of The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle by Harry Castlemon holds 173 sentences, grouped into 35 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 14 of The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle contain?

Chapter 14 holds 173 sentences of The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 14 of The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle by Harry Castlemon exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 173 sentences, grouped into 35 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 14 of The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 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 14 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 14 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 Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle

Common questions about reading The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle by Harry Castlemon on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle?

Yes. All 3967 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #61486 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #61486, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle take to read?

About 330 minutes of reading across 794 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle section by section

How to work through The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  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 Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Gunboat
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Series
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Roughing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Steel Horse: The Rambles of a Bicycle; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.