美国人物志: 哈莉特·塔布曼（6/9）

英语自学网

哈莉特·塔布曼（Harriet Tubman １８２２年?－１９１３年３月１０日）是美国废奴主义者，杰出的黑人废奴主义运动家。她本人就是一个逃跑的奴隶，帮助许多黑奴逃亡，被称为“黑摩西”或“摩西祖母”。美国废奴主义运动的领袖约翰·布朗称她为“塔布曼将军”。
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Mr. Brodas
Harriet
John Tubman

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Mr. Brodas felt he would never get any good work out of Harriet. So he decided to sell her. Harriet thought of a way to prevent this. Each time she was shown to someone who might buy her, she acted as if she were falling asleep. After a while, Mr. Brodas gave up hope of selling Harriet. He sent her back to the fields. She dreamed of freedom while picking vegetables and digging in the fields. In 1844, at about age 24, she married a free black man named John Tubman. By now, Harriet was sure she wanted to try to escape. It would be very dangerous. Slaves who were caught often were killed or almost beaten to death. Harriet knew she must wait for just the right time.
Suddenly, in 1845, the time came. Mr. Brodas died. His slaves probably would be sold to cotton farmers further South. The situation there would be even worse. John Tubman tried to make Harriet forget about running away. He was free. Why should he make a dangerous trip with a woman breaking the law? Harriet decided that her marriage to John must end. Harriet heard that she was to be sold immediately. She knew she needed to tell her family that she was leaving. She began to sing, softly at first, then louder. She sang the words, "I'm sorry to leave you...I'm going to the promised land." Her family understood.