美国学生历史 第111期:第二次独立战争(3)

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　　One of the first vessels² to get to sea was the Constitution, commanded by Isaac Hull³. 美国最早到海上航行的舰船之一是由伊塞克o哈尔指挥的"宪法"号，

　　She sailed from Chesapeake Bay for New York, where she was to serve as a guard-ship. 这艘船从切萨皮克海湾出发去纽约，它要在纽约当做一艘护卫船。

　　On the way she fell in with a British squadron. "宪法"号在航行中遇到一支英国小舰队，

　　The Constitution sailed on with the whole British fleet in pursuit. 它继续前进，整整一个英国舰队紧追不舍。

　　Soon the wind began to die away. 不久，海上渐渐没了风，

　　The Constitution's sails were soaked with water to make them hold the wind better. 伊塞克o哈尔派人用水把船帆弄湿以使得帆更好地捕捉到海上的风，

　　Then the wind gave out altogether, Captain Hull lowered his boats and the men began to tow the ship. 随后，风力用尽，伊塞克o哈尔命令放下小船来拖动"宪法"号前进，

　　But the British lowered their boats also. 但英国人也放下小船，

　　They set a great many boats to towing their fastest ship, and she began to gain on the Constitution. 他们放下大量的小船拖动他们最快的一艘船，这艘船开始逼近"宪法"号。

　　Then Captain Hull found that he was sailing over shoal water, although out of sight of land, so he sent a small anchor ahead in a boat. 随后，哈尔船长发现他的船是在浅水中航行，可以看得见水下面的沙滩，因此他在小船的前面抛下一个小锚。

　　The anchor was dropped and men on the ship pulled in the anchor line. 铁锚落入水中，哈尔船长船上的人用力拖拽锚链，

　　This was done again and again. The Constitution now began to gain on the British fleet. 如此反复，现在英国舰队又开始接近"宪法"号了。

　　Then a sudden squall burst on the ships. 然而，英国的舰船周围骤掀巨浪，

　　Captain Hull saw it coming and made every preparation to take advantage of it. 哈尔船长看到了巨浪的到来，并做好了充分利用这一巨浪的准备。

　　When the rain cleared away, the Constitution was beyond fear of pursuit. 当浪涛停下来时"宪法"号已经摆脱对追击的恐惧，

　　But she could not go to New York, so Captain Hull took her to Boston. 但是，这艘船已经无力完成纽约之行，哈尔船长将它带到波士顿休整。

　　The government at once ordered him to stay where he was; but, before the orders reached Boston, the Constitution was far away. 国民政府立刻命令哈尔船长原地待命，但是，命令还没有到达波士顿，"宪法"号已经出发了。

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