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Two Years Before the Mast
Two Years Before the Mast

Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

Chapter 25 of Two Years Before the Mast is here in full — 232 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.
Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.
Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.
The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.
"Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.
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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.

Two Years Before the Mast

Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

Chapter 25 of Two Years Before the Mast is here in full — 232 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.
Line 2
Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.
Line 3
Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.
Line 4
The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.
/ðə ˈfɔːrmər ðə kruː sed mʌst biː ðə ˈpɪlɡrəm bʌt aɪ hæd bɪn tuː lɔːŋ ɪn ðə ˈpɪlɡrəm tuː biː mɪˈsteɪkən ɪn hɜːr ənd aɪ wɑːz raɪt ɪn ˈdɪfərɪŋ frʌm ðem fɔːr əˈpɑːn ˈnɪrər əˈproʊtʃ hɜːr lɔːŋ loʊ ʃɪr ʃɑːrp baʊz ənd ˈreɪkɪŋ mæsts toʊld kwaɪt əˈnʌðər ˈstɔːri/
Line 5
"Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

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.

anchorage noun US /ˈæŋkərədʒ/

the condition of being secured to a base

From this reading “Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.”

Baltimore noun US /ˈbɔːltəmɔːr/

the largest city in Maryland; a major seaport and industrial center

From this reading “"Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.”

clipper noun US /ˈklɪpər/

(electronics) a nonlinear electronic circuit whose output is limited in amplitude; used to limit the instantaneous amplitude of a waveform (to clip off the peaks of a waveform)

From this reading “"Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.”

differing verb US /ˈdɪfərɪŋ/

-ing form of “differ” — be different

From this reading “The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.”

hermaphrodite noun US /hərˈmæfrədaɪt/

one having both male and female sexual characteristics and organs; at birth an unambiguous assignment of male or female cannot be made

From this reading “Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.”

raking verb US /ˈreɪkɪŋ/

-ing form of “rake” — move through with or as if with a rake

From this reading “The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.”

rumors noun US /ˈruːmərz/

plural of “rumor” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading “RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.”

shear verb US /ʃɪr/

cut with shears

From this reading “The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.”

All words in this reading · 96

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.

1st

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

From this reading RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.

5th

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

From this reading Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.

anchoragenounUS /ˈæŋkərədʒ/

the condition of being secured to a base

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

approachverbUS /əˈproʊtʃ/

move towards

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

arrivedverbUS /ərˈaɪvd/

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.

Ayacucho

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

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

BaltimorenounUS /ˈbɔːltəmɔːr/

the largest city in Maryland; a major seaport and industrial center

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

bannernounUS /ˈbænər/

long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

Barbara

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

From this reading Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

blood-redadjective

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

bordernounUS /ˈbɔːrdər/

a line that indicates a boundary

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

bowsnounUS /baʊz/

plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

brignounUS /brɪɡ/

two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

Buenaventura

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

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

clippernounUS /ˈklɪpər/

(electronics) a nonlinear electronic circuit whose output is limited in amplitude; used to limit the instantaneous amplitude of a waveform (to clip off the peaks of a waveform)

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

ComingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

crewnounUS /kruː/

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

crossverbUS /krɔːs/

travel across or pass over

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.

differingverbUS /ˈdɪfərɪŋ/

-ing form of “differ” — be different

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

fieldnounUS /fiːld/

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

foldsnounUS /foʊldz/

plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.

formeradjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmər/

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

full-rigged

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

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

GALEnounUS /ɡeɪl/

a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale

From this reading RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.

GeorgenounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

hermaphroditenounUS /hərˈmæfrədaɪt/

one having both male and female sexual characteristics and organs; at birth an unambiguous assignment of male or female cannot be made

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

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

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

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 The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

Man-of-warnoun

a warship intended for combat

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

mastsnounUS /mæsts/

plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

mistakenadjectiveUS /mɪˈsteɪkən/

wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

neareradverbUS /ˈnɪrər/

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

nearingverbUS /ˈnɪrɪŋ/

-ing form of “near” — move towards

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.

others

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

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

peaknounUS /piːk/

the most extreme possible amount or value

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

PilgrimnounUS /ˈpɪlɡrəm/

someone who journeys in foreign lands

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

portnounUS /pɔːrt/

a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

rakingverbUS /ˈreɪkɪŋ/

-ing form of “rake” — move through with or as if with a rake

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

roundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

RUMORSnounUS /ˈruːmərz/

plural of “rumor” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

SailedverbUS /seɪld/

past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.

SantanounUS /ˈsæntə/

the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas

From this reading Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

sharpadjectiveUS /ʃɑːrp/

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

shearverbUS /ʃɪr/

cut with shears

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

SLIPPINGadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpɪŋ/

moving as on a slippery surface

From this reading RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

SOUTH-EASTER

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

From this reading RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.

SPOUTERnoun

an obnoxious and foolish and loquacious talker

From this reading RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.

St

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

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

SundaynounUS /ˈsʌndeɪ/

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/

plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading Coming round St. Buenaventura, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port, a large full-rigged, and a small hermaphrodite brig.

WARnounUS /wɔːr/

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading RUMORS OF WAR--A SPOUTER--SLIPPING FOR A SOUTH-EASTER--A GALE Sunday, November 1st.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The former, the crew said must be the Pilgrim; but I had been too long in the Pilgrim to be mistaken in her, and I was right in differing from them; for, upon nearer approach, her long, low shear, sharp bows, and raking masts, told quite another story.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Sailed this day, (Sunday again,) for Santa Barbara, where we arrived on the 5th.

whitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Man-of-war brig," said some of them; "Baltimore clipper," said others; the Ayacucho, thought I; and soon the broad folds of the beautiful banner of St. George,--white field with blood-red border and cross,--were displayed from her peak.

Chapter 25 of Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana holds 232 sentences, grouped into 47 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 25 of Two Years Before the Mast contain?

Chapter 25 holds 232 sentences of Two Years Before the Mast, unabridged, divided into 47 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 25 of Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 232 sentences, grouped into 47 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 25 of Two Years Before the Mast?

Work through the 47 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 47 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 25 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 25 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 Two Years Before the Mast

Common questions about reading Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Two Years Before the Mast?

Yes. All 5389 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2055 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Two Years Before the Mast is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2055, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Two Years Before the Mast take to read?

About 449 minutes of reading across 1078 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Two Years Before the Mast section by section

How to work through Two Years Before the Mast section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 36 chapters of Two Years Before the Mast 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 Two Years Before the Mast

Words and structures a reader meets early in Two Years Before the Mast, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Fourteenth
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Two Years Before the Mast; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
August
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Two Years Before the Mast; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fixed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Two Years Before the Mast; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sailing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Two Years Before the Mast; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.