美国小学英语教材6:第153课 年轻的乔治·华盛顿(4)

It was not books nor book learning, however, that did the most for young Washington;

对年轻的华盛顿帮助最大的不是书本或是上学；

it was his companionship with his half-brothers, Augustine and Lawrence. Up to this time he had seen very little of these young men,

而是同母异父的兄弟的陪伴，奥古斯丁和劳伦斯，截止到目前，他很少能看到他们的身影，

for they had been at school in England for several years. After their return Lawrence, the elder,

他们在英格兰的学校上了多年学，回来后大哥劳伦斯

had been made a captain in the English army and had gone to the West Indies, while Augustine had settled as a planter on the Wakefield farm.

已经成为了英国部队的上校，并去了西印度群岛，奥古斯丁在韦克菲尔德农场成为了一名种植者。

Washington spent much of his time in the company of his brothers, and they took a great fancy to him.

华盛顿的大部分时间都是和他们度过的，俩兄弟也很喜欢华盛顿。

He was then a bright, promising¹ lad, rather large for his age, fond of all outdoor games, and an exceptionally good horseman.

他不久成为了一名有前途的少年，对于他这个年纪而言志向远大，他喜欢所有户外狩猎，也是一名特别棒的骑手。

He was also a good shot, a daring huntsman, and a keen woodsman, ready for any sport or adventure.

他还是一名好射手，一名勇敢的猎人，一名对木业感兴趣的林业工人，他准备好了狩猎或是探险。

It is no wonder that Lawrence and Augustine Washington were pleased to have young George with them.

毫无疑问，劳伦斯和奥古斯丁喜欢和年轻的乔治在一起。

They were both educated, honorable men who had seen more of the world than most Virginians,

他们都受过教育，显得更体面，他们比多数弗吉尼亚州更见多识广，

and it was fortunate for Washington that he had their guidance and advice during these years.

幸运的是华盛顿可以在这些年得到他们的指导和建议。

Doubtless they were proud of his skill in hunting and riding, and encouraged him,

毫无疑问，他们对自己的狩猎和骑射技能很骄傲，并鼓励他，

but they also showed him that he was expected to be something better than a horse trainer or a hunter.

并还向他展示，他被期许成为一名比驯马师或猎手更棒的人。

They set him an excellent example of useful work and decent living.

他们给华盛顿展现了什么是有用工作和体面生活。

Captain Lawrence Washington proved a strong influence in making his brother into a gentleman,

在让他弟弟成为一名绅士方面，劳伦斯上校被证明起到了重要影响，

and some of the happiest hours that the lad ever knew were passed at the plantation² on Hunting Creek³,

华盛顿所能够记得的许多快乐时光都是在“狩猎溪”的种植园度过的，

which Lawrence had received from his father, and which he had named Mount Vernon. Here Washington met many of his brother's comrades.

这是劳伦斯从父亲手中得来的，他将这里起名为“弗农山庄”，华盛顿在这里遇到了许多他哥哥的同志。

Here he frequently met officers of the Royal Navy and of the big merchant ships which sailed into the Potomac,

他经常可以看到皇家海军的官员，以及进入波托马克河的巨型商船官员，

and listened to many a story of adventure on land and sea.

听到了许多路上和海上的探险故事。

So it is not at all surprising that George soon began to think he would like to be a sailor.

想要成为一名水手的愿望对华盛顿而言不惊奇。

1 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

2 plantation   

n.种植园，大农场

参考例句：

• His father-in-law is a plantation manager.他岳父是个种植园经营者。
• The plantation owner has possessed himself of a vast piece of land.这个种植园主把大片土地占为己有。

3 creek   

n.小溪，小河，小湾

参考例句：

• He sprang through the creek.他跳过小河。
• People sunbathe in the nude on the rocks above the creek.人们在露出小溪的岩石上裸体晒日光浴。