Robinson Crusoe【2】(5-10) 2425words

Reference:
Robinson Crusoe for Children by James Baldwin
Chapter.5-10
Ch.5I AM SHIPWRECKED
Ch.6I AM CAST UPON A STRANGE SHORE
Ch.7I FIND A STRANGE LODGING PLACE
Ch.8I VISIT THE WRECK
Ch.9I MAKE ME A RAFT
Ch.10I CARRY SOME THINGS ASHORE



a.Words or expressions I did not know.

1.dare

Context:
I felt that I was doing a foolish thing; but I did not dare to say so.

Definition:
to be brave enough to do something that is risky or that you are afraid to do - used especially in questions or negative sentences
（Q.日本語だと「あえて～する」という意味で合っていますか？）


2.lest

Context:
I feared lest I should be carried out to sea again.

Definition:
used to show that someone is afraid or worried that a particular thing might happen


3.bare

Context:
Soon the beach was bare, and I could walk a long way out.

Definition:
land/trees not covered by trees or grass, or not having any leaves


4.seize hold of・・・

Context:
I seized hold of the rope, and climbed hand over hand to the deck.

Definition:
=catch hold of・・・


5.a great deal

Context:
THERE was a great deal of water in the ship’s hold. But the cabin and the storerooms were dry.

Definition:
a great deal also a good deal a large quantity of something [= a lot]


6.ashore

Context:
I CARRY SOME THINGS ASHORE

Definition:
on or towards the shore of a lake, river, sea etc [= onshore]



b.Questions and about something I did not understand.

(1)
Context:
We could do nothing but let the ship drive before the wind.

Question:
I guessed that the meaning of it is "風に任せて帆を進めるしかなかった。" in Japanese.
But I did not know this how to use of "before", so I didn't understand well.


(2)
Context:
We can only wait for the ship to break in pieces."

Question:
I think that "to break in pieces" means "木端微塵に砕ける" in Japanese, And it quality "the ship".
If it's correct, I think that this sentence means "木端微塵に砕けた船のせいで、僕らは待つことしかできない。" in Japanese.
But I thought that the meaning of "for" is "～のために" or "～を" in Japanese and it doesn't have "～のせいで" in Japanese.
So I guess that the meaning of this sentence "木端微塵に砕けたせいで、僕らは船を待つことしかできない。" in Japanese.
Am I correct?
※うまく質問内容を説明できませんが、私の質問の要は、この英文は何処で区切るのが正しいのかということです。そして、どこで区切るにしても、"ship"という名詞が一つ足りず、そのせいで混乱させられているような気がしました。それとも、木端微塵になったのは船じじゃないのでしょうか？


(3)
Context:
But of the men themselves I saw nothing.

Question:
※この文は、第六章で主人公が難破した後、陸地で他のクルー（に繋がる物）を探しているシーンの一文です。
Does it means that I saw nothing what things and signs of the men ?
I (maybe) got the meaning of this sentence, but I can't understand the grammar.


(4)
Context:
The part of the rock that was uncovered rose steep and straight into the air.

Question:
I used some dictionary and a grammar text but I couldn't understand.
What the meaning of "steep"?
where are the chunk?
※この文も、区切りが何処なのか、そして和訳がどうなるのかわかりませんでした。


c.Comments.
I became to be able to read faster than before. But I still use dictionary many times. For example, this time, I look up 93 words what are I did not know and more 20 words what are I knew . I really wanted to write a summary to learn English, but I took about ten hours to peruse this text and search the grammar. So I couldn't write a summary because I need time to read all chapter of "Robinson Crusoe".