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263. The Frigate Constitution.
263．"憲法"號護衛艦
One of the first vessels to get to sea was the Constitution, commanded by Isaac Hull.
美國最早到海上航行的艦船之一是由伊塞克·哈爾指揮的"憲法"號，
She sailed from Chesapeake Bay for New York, where she was to serve as a guard-ship.
這艘船從切薩皮克海灣出發去紐約，它要在紐約當做一艘護衛船。
On the way she fell in with a British squadron.
"憲法"號在航行中遇到一支英國小艦隊，
The Constitution sailed on with the whole British fleet in pursuit.
它繼續前進，整整一個英國艦隊緊追不舍。
Soon the wind began to die away.
不久，海上漸漸沒了風，
The Constitution's sails were soaked with water to make them hold the wind better.
伊塞克o哈爾派人用水把船帆弄濕以使得帆更好地捕捉到海上的風，
Then the wind gave out altogether, Captain Hull lowered his boats and the men began to tow the ship.
隨后，風力用盡，伊塞克o哈爾命令放下小船來拖動"憲法"號前進，
But the British lowered their boats also.
但英國人也放下小船，
They set a great many boats to towing their fastest ship, and she began to gain on the Constitution.
他們放下大量的小船拖動他們最快的一艘船，這艘船開始逼近"憲法"號。
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.
隨后，哈爾船長發現他的船是在淺水中航行，可以看得見水下面的沙灘，因此他在小船的前面拋下一個小錨。
The anchor was dropped and men on the ship pulled in the anchor line.
鐵錨落入水中，哈爾船長船上的人用力拖拽錨鏈，
This was done again and again. The Constitution now began to gain on the British fleet.
如此反復，現在英國艦隊又開始接近"憲法"號了。
Then a sudden squall burst on the ships.
然而，英國的艦船周圍驟掀巨浪，
Captain Hull saw it coming and made every preparation to take advantage of it.
哈爾船長看到了巨浪的到來，并做好了充分利用這一巨浪的準備。
When the rain cleared away, the Constitution was beyond fear of pursuit.
當浪濤停下來時"憲法"號已經擺脫對追擊的恐懼，
But she could not go to New York, so Captain Hull took her to Boston.
但是，這艘船已經無力完成紐約之行，哈爾船長將它帶到波士頓休整。
The government at once ordered him to stay where he was; but, before the orders reached Boston, the Constitution was far away.
國民政府立刻命令哈爾船長原地待命，但是，命令還沒有到達波士頓，"憲法"號已經出發了。
