Level 4-Day 57.Laura Secord
高效磨耳朵 | 最好的英语听力资源
词汇提示
1.spies 间谍
2.tavern 酒馆
3.desperate 绝望的
4.encampment 营地
5.escorted 护送
6.ambush 伏击
7.morale 士气
原文
Laura Secord
Women have often played an important role in war.
They have worked in munitions factories, made clothing and supplies, encouraged and entertained soldiers, nursed the wounded and acted as spies.
It is rare, however, for a woman to have played a key role in determining the course of a war.
Many people believe that Laura Secord played such a role in the war of 1812.
Laura Secord was born in the United States at the time of the American Revolution.
Her father had fought in the US Army against the British.
But when land in the American States became scarce, the family moved to Ontario, Canada, and so back under British rule.
Laura married into a pro-British family and adopted their political views.
So when the war of 1812 broke out between Britain and America, her husband, James Secord, joined the Canadian militia to defend Ontario against the Americans.
The American invasion of 1812 was defeated at Queenston Heights, and some of the wounded were brought to Laura's house in nearby Queenston.
Laura went out to the battlefield, where she found her husband, James, who was severely wounded, and brought him home.
In 1813, the US invasion was more successful.
Parts of Ontario, close to the US border were occupied by American troops.
Local families were expected to provide room and board for US officers.
It was sometimes possible, therefore, for Canadians to overhear American officers discussing military strategy, either in their homes or in the local tavern.
The situation in Ontario looked desperate.
In the spring of 1813, the whole province seemed likely to fall into American hands.
In June, Laura overheard talk of an American attack on the British outpost at Beaver Dams.
Her husband was still suffering from war injuries, and she had to look after him and their children.
Nevertheless, she resolved to go to warn the British commander.
Possibly Laura did not intend to walk the whole way herself.
She hoped to be able to pass on the news to someone else along the way.
First she would have to make up a story to get past the American center.
She left Queenston in early morning and walked 19 miles to the neighborhood of Beaver Dams.
By nightfall, she still had to cross a wide stream and climb up the Niagara Garment.
There she came upon an encampment of Indians who were assisting the British their war.
Their war cries in the moonlight terrified her, but she insisted on being taken to the British commander.
Finally, one of the chiefs escorted her to British headquarters, and she was able to tell Fitzgibbon the American plan of attack.
When the Americans arrived in the neighborhood of Beaver Dams, the Indians had prepared an ambush for them.
A running fight ensued between the American force of 570 soldiers and 450 Indians supporting the British.
At this point, Fitzgibbon arrived with 50 British regulars.
Seeing the Americans disorganized and surrounded by the Indians,Fitzgibbon boldly demanded their surrender.
By telling the American Commander Boerstler that he was facing huge British and Indian forces, Fitzgibbon induced the American leader to turn over his whole army to the British.
Although only small armies were involved at Beaver Dams, the battle had great significance.
Afterwards, the Americans stayed behind their walls for the rest of the year.
The US government recalled their Commander in Chief.
British and Canadian morale increased, and Laura’s home in Queenston was restored to British control.
Laura Secord's story was little known until 1860.
She was an old woman in her eighties when she was presented to the visiting Prince of Wales.
Later, King Edward the 7th, he awarded a gift of money for her services.
Her story then became famous.
Today, her home in Queenston, Ontario is an historical museum and a popular tourist attraction.
翻译
劳拉·西科德
妇女经常在战争中发挥重要作用。
她们在军工厂工作，制作服装和用品，鼓励和娱乐士兵，护理伤员，充当间谍。
然而，女性在决定一场战争的进程中发挥关键作用是罕见的。
许多人认为劳拉·西科德在1812年的战争中扮演了这样的角色。
劳拉·西科德出生于美国独立战争时期的美国。
她的父亲曾在美军中与英国人作战。
但当美国的土地变得稀缺时，这家人搬到了加拿大的安大略，然后又回到了英国的统治下。
劳拉嫁给了一个亲英家庭，并接受了他们的政治观点。
因此，当1812年英美战争爆发时，她的丈夫詹姆斯·西科德(James Secord)加入了加拿大民兵组织，保卫安大略免受美国人的入侵。
1812年的美国入侵在昆斯顿高地被击败，一些伤员被送到劳拉在昆斯顿附近的家中。
劳拉去了战场，在那里她找到了受了重伤的丈夫詹姆斯，并把他带回家。
1813年，美国入侵更为成功。
安大略省靠近美国边境的部分地区被美国军队占领。
当地家庭预计将为美国军官提供食宿。
因此，加拿大人有时可能无意中听到美国军官在家里或在当地的酒馆里讨论军事战略。
安大略的情况看起来令人绝望。
1813年春天，整个省份似乎都有可能落入美国人之手。
6月，劳拉无意中听到美国人攻击英国在比弗水坝的前哨。
她的丈夫仍然饱受战争创伤的折磨，她必须照顾他和他们的孩子。
尽管如此，她还是决定去警告英国指挥官。
劳拉可能并不打算自己走完全程。
她希望一路上能把这个消息告诉别人。
首先，她必须编一个故事来通过美国中心。
她一大早离开昆斯顿，步行19英里来到比弗水坝附近。
到了傍晚，她还得穿过一条宽阔的小溪，爬上尼亚加拉瀑布。
在那里，她遇到了一个印第安人的营地，他们正在帮助英国人进行战争。
他们在月光下的战争叫声吓坏了她，但她坚持要被带到英国指挥官那里。
最后，一位酋长护送她到英国总部，她把美国的进攻计划告诉了菲茨吉本。
当美国人到达比弗水坝附近时，印第安人已经为他们准备了伏击。
570名美国士兵和450名支持英国人的印第安人之间展开了一场持续的战斗。
这时，菲茨吉本带着50名英国军人来了。
菲茨吉本眼看着美国人被印第安人团团乱围，就大胆地要求他们投降。
菲茨吉本告诉美国指挥官布尔斯特勒，他面临着庞大的英国和印第安军队，诱使这位美国领导人将他的整个军队交给英国人。
虽然在比弗水坝战役中参战的军队很少，但这场战役意义重大。
之后，美国人在这一年剩下的时间里都呆在城墙后面。
美国政府召回了他们的总司令。
英国和加拿大士气高涨，劳拉在昆斯顿的家也恢复了英国的控制。
劳拉·西科德的故事直到1860年才为人所知。
当她被介绍给来访的威尔士亲王时，她已经是一位八十多岁的老妇人了。
后来，爱德华七世国王奖励了她一笔钱作为礼物。
她的故事后来出名了。
今天，她在安大略省昆斯顿的家是一个历史博物馆和一个受欢迎的旅游景点。
