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The Underground City
The Underground City

Chapter XVII · The “Monk”

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Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
This name revealed everything to the old overman.
It was that of the last “monk” of the Dochart pit.
In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.
He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.
One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.
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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 Underground City

Chapter XVII · The “Monk”

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
This name revealed everything to the old overman.
Line 2
It was that of the last “monk” of the Dochart pit.
Line 3
In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.
Line 4
He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.
Line 5
One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.”

Born noun US /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.”

Disappeared noun US /ˈdisappeared/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “This name revealed everything to the old overman.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was that of the last “monk” of the Dochart pit.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.”

Mine pronoun US /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This name revealed everything to the old overman.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.”

Pit noun US /pɪt/

A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.

From this reading “It was that of the last “monk” of the Dochart pit.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.”

All words in this reading · 88

Every word is available to listen to. 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 He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

accompanied

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

also

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

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

always

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

assisted

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

bornnounUS /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

business

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

called

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

daily

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

day

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

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

days

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

Dochart

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

From this reading It was that of the last “monk” of the Dochart pit.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading This name revealed everything to the old overman.

explosions

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

fierce

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

fire-damp

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

former

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

girl

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

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

go

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

great-grandfather

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

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

Harfang

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

invention

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was that of the last “monk” of the Dochart pit.

known

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was that of the last “monk” of the Dochart pit.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

lighted

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

man

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

match

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

minepronounUS /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

monk

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

From this reading It was that of the last “monk” of the Dochart pit.

monstrous

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This name revealed everything to the old overman.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

occupation

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was that of the last “monk” of the Dochart pit.

old

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

From this reading This name revealed everything to the old overman.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

orphan

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

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

overman

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

From this reading This name revealed everything to the old overman.

owl

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

partial

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

passages

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

perilous

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

pitnounUS /pɪt/

A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.

From this reading It was that of the last “monk” of the Dochart pit.

places

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

produce

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

prowling

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

reach

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

relation

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

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

revealed

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

From this reading This name revealed everything to the old overman.

risk

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

safety-lamp

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

see

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

Silfax

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

Simon

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

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

soaring

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

solitary

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

strange

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was that of the last “monk” of the Dochart pit.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading This name revealed everything to the old overman.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This name revealed everything to the old overman.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One day this old man disappeared, and at the same time also, a little orphan girl born in the mine, who had no relation but himself, her great-grandfather.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading This name revealed everything to the old overman.

unable

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

used

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was that of the last “monk” of the Dochart pit.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading In former days, before the invention of the safety-lamp, Simon had known this fierce man, whose business it was to go daily, at the risk of his life, to produce partial explosions of fire-damp in the passages.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He used to see this strange solitary being, prowling about the mine, always accompanied by a monstrous owl, which he called Harfang, who assisted him in his perilous occupation, by soaring with a lighted match to places Silfax was unable to reach.