Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The White Conquerors
The White Conquerors

Chapter XXXII

Chapter 32 of The White Conquerors is here in full — 73 sentences across 15 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The White Conquerors
Context Illustration Reading 1/14 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.
Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.
Everywhere the fatal message converted the orderly ranks into a panic-stricken mob.
All subordination was at an end.
Frenzied men flung away their weapons and sought only to save themselves.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The White Conquerors

Chapter XXXII

Chapter 32 of The White Conquerors is here in full — 73 sentences across 15 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/14 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.
Line 2
Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.
Line 3
Everywhere the fatal message converted the orderly ranks into a panic-stricken mob.
Line 4
All subordination was at an end.
/ɔːl səˌbɔːrdəˈneɪʃən wɑːz æt æn end/
Line 5
Frenzied men flung away their weapons and sought only to save themselves.
/ˈfrenzid men flʌŋ əˈweɪ ðer ˈwepənz ənd sɔːt ˈoʊnli tuː seɪv ðemˈselvz/

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.

assailants noun US /əˈseɪlənts/

plural of “assailant” — someone who attacks

From this reading “Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.”

cavaliers noun US /ˌkævəˈlɪrz/

plural of “cavalier” — a gallant or courtly gentleman

From this reading “Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.”

charging verb US /ˈtʃɑːrdʒɪŋ/

-ing form of “charge” — to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading “A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.”

Frenzied adjective US /ˈfrenzid/

affected with or marked by frenzy or mania uncontrolled by reason

From this reading “Frenzied men flung away their weapons and sought only to save themselves.”

fretted adjective US /ˈfretɪd/

having frets

From this reading “Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.”

momentarily adverb US /ˌmoʊmənˈterəli/

for an instant or moment

From this reading “A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.”

myriad noun US /ˈmɪriəd/

a large indefinite number

From this reading “Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.”

subordination noun US /səˌbɔːrdəˈneɪʃən/

the state of being subordinate to something

From this reading “All subordination was at an end.”

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.

dreadful news adjective + noun

In this reading “A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.”

at an end preposition + article + noun counted as “at … end”

In this reading “All subordination was at an end.”

flung away verb + particle counted as “fling away”

In this reading “Frenzied men flung away their weapons and sought only to save themselves.”

long line adjective + noun

In this reading “Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.”

rise from verb + particle

In this reading “Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.”

from the rear preposition + article + noun counted as “from … rear”

In this reading “A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.”

All words in this reading · 99

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 NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

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 All subordination was at an end.

Alvarado

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

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading All subordination was at an end.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

assailantsnounUS /əˈseɪlənts/

plural of “assailant” — someone who attacks

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Frenzied men flung away their weapons and sought only to save themselves.

bandnounUS /bænd/

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

besetverbUS /bɪˈset/

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

bridgenounUS /brɪdʒ/

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

cavaliersnounUS /ˌkævəˈlɪrz/

plural of “cavalier” — a gallant or courtly gentleman

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

chargingverbUS /ˈtʃɑːrdʒɪŋ/

-ing form of “charge” — to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

checkverbUS /tʃek/

examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/

a person who is in charge

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

convertedverbUS /kənˈvɜːrtɪd/

past form of “convert” — change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy

From this reading Everywhere the fatal message converted the orderly ranks into a panic-stricken mob.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

DEATHnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

death-knell

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

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

delayverbUS /dɪˈleɪ/

cause to be slowed down or delayed

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

DESPAIRnounUS /dɪˈsper/

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdredfəl/

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading All subordination was at an end.

enemynounUS /ˈenəmi/

an opposing military force

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

escapenounUS /ɪˈskeɪp/

the act of escaping physically

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

EverywhereadverbUS /ˈevriwer/

to or in any or all places

From this reading Everywhere the fatal message converted the orderly ranks into a panic-stricken mob.

fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/

bringing death

From this reading Everywhere the fatal message converted the orderly ranks into a panic-stricken mob.

FIGHTINGnounUS /ˈfaɪtɪŋ/

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/

start firing a weapon

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

flungverbUS /flʌŋ/

inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading Frenzied men flung away their weapons and sought only to save themselves.

foughtverbUS /fɔːt/

inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

FrenziedadjectiveUS /ˈfrenzid/

affected with or marked by frenzy or mania uncontrolled by reason

From this reading Frenzied men flung away their weapons and sought only to save themselves.

frettedadjectiveUS /ˈfretɪd/

having frets

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

frontnounUS /frʌnt/

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

gallantadjectiveUS /ˈɡælənt/

unflinching in battle or action

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

holdingnounUS /ˈhoʊldɪŋ/

the act of retaining something

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

hopenounUS /hoʊp/

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Everywhere the fatal message converted the orderly ranks into a panic-stricken mob.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

linesnounUS /laɪnz/

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

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

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

lossnounUS /lɔːs/

something that is lost

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

Margarino's

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

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/

the common people generally

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading Frenzied men flung away their weapons and sought only to save themselves.

messagenounUS /ˈmesədʒ/

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading Everywhere the fatal message converted the orderly ranks into a panic-stricken mob.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

mobnounUS /mɑːb/

a disorderly crowd of people

From this reading Everywhere the fatal message converted the orderly ranks into a panic-stricken mob.

momentarilyadverbUS /ˌmoʊmənˈterəli/

for an instant or moment

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

myriadnounUS /ˈmɪriəd/

a large indefinite number

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

newsnounUS /nuːz/

information about recent and important events

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

NIGHTnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading Frenzied men flung away their weapons and sought only to save themselves.

orderlynounUS /ˈɔːrdərli/

a soldier who serves as an attendant to a superior officer

From this reading Everywhere the fatal message converted the orderly ranks into a panic-stricken mob.

panic-strickenadjective

thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation

From this reading Everywhere the fatal message converted the orderly ranks into a panic-stricken mob.

ranksnounUS /ræŋks/

plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading Everywhere the fatal message converted the orderly ranks into a panic-stricken mob.

rearnounUS /rɪr/

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

riseverbUS /raɪz/

move upward

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

Sandoval

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

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading Frenzied men flung away their weapons and sought only to save themselves.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

soughtadjectiveUS /sɔːt/

that is looked for

From this reading Frenzied men flung away their weapons and sought only to save themselves.

soundedverbUS /ˈsaʊndɪd/

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

subordinationnounUS /səˌbɔːrdəˈneɪʃən/

the state of being subordinate to something

From this reading All subordination was at an end.

sweptadjectiveUS /swept/

possessing sweep

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Frenzied men flung away their weapons and sought only to save themselves.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

thronging

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

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading All subordination was at an end.

watersnounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading Frenzied men flung away their weapons and sought only to save themselves.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Like a death-knell it sounded through the long line, beset on both lines by a myriad of assailants who seemed to rise from the very waters, to the distant front where Sandoval and his cavaliers fought, as best they might, and fretted at Margarino's delay.

wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A NIGHT OF FIGHTING, DESPAIR, AND DEATH The dreadful news that the bridge could not be moved, and that with its loss went their chief hope of escape, swept like wild fire from the rear where Alvarado and his gallant band were charging and momentarily holding in check the thronging masses of the enemy.

Chapter 32 of The White Conquerors by Kirk Munroe holds 73 sentences, grouped into 15 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 32 of The White Conquerors contain?

Chapter 32 holds 73 sentences of The White Conquerors, unabridged, divided into 15 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 32 of The White Conquerors by Kirk Munroe exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 73 sentences, grouped into 15 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 32 of The White Conquerors?

Work through the 15 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 15 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 32 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 32 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 White Conquerors

Common questions about reading The White Conquerors by Kirk Munroe on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The White Conquerors?

Yes. All 2939 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #47810 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The White Conquerors is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #47810, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The White Conquerors take to read?

About 244 minutes of reading across 588 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The White Conquerors section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The White Conquerors 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 White Conquerors

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

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The White Conquerors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wakulla
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The White Conquerors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Flamingo
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The White Conquerors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Feather
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The White Conquerors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.