古德明《征服英语》之英语军事故事，古德明，香港英语教育作家，他开了一个《征服英语专栏》，在专栏中专门用英语写了世界近代史上的军事小故事，用英语讲述历史中那些惊心动魄的战争。
暗 杀 华 盛 顿

phoebe fraunces was a young black woman who saved general george washington, the father of the united states, in 1776.

washington was a frequent visitor to the tavern established by phoebe's father in new york. one of washington's bodyguards, thomas hickey, joined a british conspiracy to kill the general. he made love to phoebe, and asked her to put a poisonous green powder in washington's favourite dish, green peas. phoebe agreed, but later informed washington of the conspiracy.

hickey stood silently when the dish of green peas was served to washington. suddenly astonishment crossed hickey's face: washington threw the peas out the window and watched as several chickens ate them and fell dead.
hickey was arrested, and a few months later hanged.