书城英文图书英国学生文学读本(套装共6册)
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第103章 “STAND FAST.”

1.In the south of Spain there is a small peninsulawhich consists of one huge rock.It is called the Rock of Gibraltar.Over two hundred years ago,when we were at war with Spain,this rock was taken by the British.

2.It still remains in the hands of Britain,and it has been made into a very strong fortress we always have a large number of soldiers there.

3.It is now more than a hundred years since Spain,aided by France,made a last attempt to drive the British out of Gibraltar.The governor of the fortress had with him only a small body of British troops.

4.One evening,during the sieg,the governor was visiting the various batteries to see that everythin was in order.At one part of his round he came upon a soldier standing as sentryat his post.

5.The soldier should have saluted his general by raising his musket,or “presenting arms,”as it is called;but he made no movement.Noticing this neglect,the general called out,“Don‘t you know me,sentinel,or why do you not salute?”

6.The soldier answered respectfully,“I know you well,general,but I cannot present arms;for within the last few minutes two of the fingers of my right hand have been taken off by the enemy’s shot,and I am unable to hold my musket.”

7.“Why do you not go and have your hand bound up,then?”asked the general.

“Because,”answered the soldier,“a man who is onguard is forbidden to quit by another.”

8.The general at once dismounted from his horse.

“Now,friend,”he said,“give me your musket,and Iwill take your place:go and get your wounds attended to.”

9.The soldier obeyed,but went first to his comrades in the guard-house,in order that another sentry might be sent to take the general‘s place;and not till then did he go to the hospitaland get his hand dressed.

10.This injury to his hand unfitted him for active service as a soldier,and he was sent to England;but the news of his brave endurancereached England before him.The king,George III.,went to see him,and,as a reward for his faithfulness,he gave him the rank of an officer.

verbs attend,perform,annoy,admit,and enter.What change is made in the spelling of the last two words?

1.Make sentences containing round as various parts ofspeech (noun,verb,adjective,preposition,and adverb).

2.Write the various meanings of the word post.