英语翻译

英语翻译
Despite the name,theUnderground Railroad was not really a railroad,but was a network of people whoassisted fugitive slaves.Many fugitives who escaped to the North and Canada receivedassistance along the way from individuals who were involved in this network.Bythe early 19th century,the organization became so successful that it is estimatedthat between 1810 and 1850,10000 slaves escaped from the South through theUnderground Railroad.
It was not a coincidence that it was calledthe Underground Railroad.Steam railroads had just emerged and the terms usedto describe the people who helped and the fugitives wererelated to the railroad line.Fugitive slaves were called ”parcels” and “passengers”,the helpers were the “conductors”,the people who provided their homes asrefuge were called “stationmasters,” and the homes were referred to as “depots”or “stations”.
The route used was animportant part of a successful escape.There were numerous secret routes that aconductor could use.The one used depended on where the search parties andslave catchers were stationed.Some trips required the use of many differentroutes,If it appeared that they might be in danger,a guide would changepaths.Some guides and fugitives even hid out in bushes and swamps for manydays until it was safe to continue on.Quickness was not the main concern,instead safety was most important and as a result they often zigzagged in orderto avoid capture.