完整版睡谷傳奇

THELEGENDOFSLEEPYHOLLOW

byWashingtonIrving

FoundamongthepapersofthelateDiedrechKnickerbocker.

Apleasinglandofdrowsyheaditwas,

Ofdreamsthatwavebeforethehalf-shuteye;

Andofgaycastlesinthecloudsthatpass,

Foreverflushingroundasummersky.

CastleofIndolence.

InthebosomofoneofthosespaciouscoveswhichindenttheeasternshoreoftheHudson,atthatbroadexpansionoftheriverdenominatedbytheancientDutchnavigatorstheTappanZee,andwheretheyalwaysprudentlyshortenedsailandimploredtheprotectionofSt.Nicholaswhentheycrossed,thereliesasmallmarkettownorruralport,whichbysomeiscalledGreensburgh,butwhichismoregenerallyandproperlyknownbythenameofTarryTown.Thisnamewasgiven,wearetold,informerdays,bythegoodhousewivesoftheadjacentcountry,fromtheinveteratepropensityoftheirhusbandstolingeraboutthevillagetavernonmarketdays.Bethatasitmay,Idonotvouchforthefact,butmerelyadverttoit,forthesakeofbeingpreciseandauthentic.Notfarfromthisvillage,perhapsabouttwomiles,thereisalittlevalleyorratherlapoflandamonghighhills,whichisoneofthequietestplacesinthewholeworld.Asmallbrookglidesthroughit,withjustmurmurenoughtolullonetorepose;andtheoccasionalwhistleofaquailortappingofawoodpeckerisalmosttheonlysoundthateverbreaksinupontheuniformtranquillity.

Irecollectthat,whenastripling,myfirstexploitinsquirrel-shootingwasinagroveoftallwalnut-treesthatshadesonesideofthevalley.Ihadwanderedintoitatnoontime,whenallnatureispeculiarlyquiet,andwasstartledbytheroarofmyowngun,asitbroketheSabbathstillnessaroundandwasprolongedandreverberatedbytheangryechoes.IfeverIshouldwishforaretreatwhitherImightstealfromtheworldanditsdistractions,anddreamquietlyawaytheremnantofatroubledlife,Iknowofnonemorepromisingthanthislittlevalley.

Fromthelistlessreposeoftheplace,andthepeculiarcharacterofitsinhabitants,whoaredescendantsfromtheoriginalDutchsettlers,thissequesteredglenhaslongbeenknownbythenameofSLEEPYHOLLOW,anditsrusticladsarecalledtheSleepyHollowBoysthroughoutalltheneighboringcountry.Adrowsy,dreamyinfluenceseemstohangovertheland,andtopervadetheveryatmosphere.SomesaythattheplacewasbewitchedbyaHighGermandoctor,duringtheearlydaysofthesettlement;others,thatanoldIndianchief,theprophetorwizardofhistribe,heldhispowwowstherebeforethecountrywasdiscoveredbyMasterHendrickHudson.Certainitis,theplacestillcontinuesundertheswayofsomewitchingpower,thatholdsaspelloverthemindsofthegoodpeople,causingthemtowalkinacontinualreverie.Theyaregiventoallkindsofmarvelousbeliefs;aresubjecttotrancesandvisions,andfrequentlyseestrangesights,andhearmusicandvoicesintheair.Thewholeneighborhoodaboundswithlocaltales,hauntedspots,andtwilightsuperstitions;starsshootandmeteorsglareofteneracrossthevalleythaninanyotherpartofthecountry,andthenightmare,withherwholeninefold,seemstomakeitthefavoritesceneofhergambols.

Thedominantspirit,however,thathauntsthisenchantedregion,andseemstobecommander-in-chiefofallthepowersoftheair,istheapparitionofafigureonhorseback,withoutahead.ItissaidbysometobetheghostofaHessiantrooper,whoseheadhadbeencarriedawaybyacannon-ball,insomenamelessbattleduringtheRevolutionaryWar,andwhoiseverandanonseenbythecountryfolkhurryingalonginthegloomofnight,asifonthewingsofthewind.Hishauntsarenotconfinedtothevalley,butextendattimestotheadjacentroads,andespeciallytothevicinityofachurchatnogreatdistance.Indeed,certainofthemostauthentichistoriansofthoseparts,whohavebeencarefulincollectingandcollatingthefloatingfactsconcerningthisspectre,allegethatthebodyofthetrooperhavingbeenburiedinthechurchyard,theghostridesforthtothesceneofbattleinnightlyquestofhishead,andthattherushingspeedwithwhichhesometimespassesalongtheHollow,likeamidnightblast,isowingtohisbeingbelated,andinahurrytogetbacktothechurchyardbeforedaybreak.

Suchisthegeneralpurportofthislegendarysuperstition,whichhasfurnishedmaterialsformanyawildstoryinthatregionofshadows;andthespectreisknownatallthecountryfiresides,bythenameoftheHeadlessHorsemanofSleepyHollow.

ItisremarkablethatthevisionarypropensityIhavementionedisnotconfinedtothenativeinhabitantsofthevalley,butisunconsciouslyimbibedbyeveryonewhoresidesthereforatime.Howeverwideawaketheymayhavebeenbeforetheyenteredthatsleepyregion,theyaresure,inalittletime,toinhalethewitchinginfluenceoftheair,andbegintogrowimaginative,todreamdreams,andseeapparitions.

ImentionthispeacefulspotwithallpossiblelaudforitisinsuchlittleretiredDutchvalleys,foundhereandthereembosomedinthegreatStateofNewYork,thatpopulation,manners,andcustomsremainfixed,whilethegreattorrentofmigrationandimprovement,whichismakingsuchincessantchangesinotherpartsofthisrestlesscountry,sweepsbythemunobserved.Theyarelikethoselittlenooksofstillwater,whichborderarapidstream,wherewemayseethestrawandbubbleridingquietlyatanchor,orslowlyrevolvingintheirmimicharbor,undisturbedbytherushofthepassingcurrent.ThoughmanyyearshaveelapsedsinceItrodthedrowsyshadesofSleepyHollow,yetIquestionwhetherIshouldnotstillfindthesametreesandthesamefamiliesvegetatinginitsshelteredbosom.

Inthisby-placeofnaturethereabode,inaremoteperiodofAmericanhistory,thatistosay,somethirtyyearssince,aworthywightofthenameofIchabodCrane,whosojourned,or,asheexpressedit,"tarried,"inSleepyHollow,forthepurposeofinstructingthechildrenofthevicinity.HewasanativeofConnecticut,aStatewhichsuppliestheUnionwithpioneersforthemindaswellasfortheforest,andsendsforthyearlyitslegionsoffrontierwoodmenandcountryschoolmasters.ThecognomenofCranewasnotinapplicabletohisperson.Hewastall,but

Amongthemusicaldiscipleswhoassembled,oneeveningineachweek,toreceivehisinstructionsinpsalmody,wasKatrinaVanTassel,thedaughterandonlychildofasubstantialDutchfarmer.Shewasaboominglassoffresheighteen;plumpasapartridge;ripeandmeltingandrosy-cheekedasoneofherfather'speaches,anduniversallyfamed,notmerelyforherbeauty,buthervastexpectations.Shewaswithalalittleofacoquette,asmightbeperceivedeveninherdress,whichwasamixtureofancientandmodernfashions,asmostsuitedtosetofhercharms.Sheworetheornamentsofpureyellowgold,whichhergreat-great-grandmotherhadbroughtoverfromSaardam;thetemptingstomacheroftheoldentime,andwithalaprovokinglyshortpetticoat,todisplaytheprettiestfootandankleinthecountryround.

IchahodCranehadasoftandfoolishhearttowardsthesex;anditisnottobewonderedat,thatsotemptingamorselsoonfoundfavorinhiseyes,moreespeciallyafterhehadvisitedherinherpaternalmansion.OldBaltusVanTasselwasaperfectpictureofathriving,contented,liberal-heartedfarmer.Heseldom,itistrue,senteitherhiseyesorhisthoughtsbeyondtheboundariesofhisownfarm;butwithinthoseeverythingwassnug,happyandwell-conditioned.Hewassatisfiedwithhiswealth,butnotproudofit;andpiquedhimselfupontheheartyabundance,ratherthanthestyleinwhichhelived.HisstrongholdwassituatedonthebanksoftheHudson,inoneofthosegreen,sheltered,fertilenooksinwhichtheDutchfarmersaresofondofnestling.Agreatelmtreespreaditsbroadbranchesoverit,atthefootofwhichbubbledupaspringofthesoftestandsweetestwater,inalittlewellformedofabarrel;andthenstolesparklingawaythroughthegrass,toaneighboringbrook,thatbabbledalongamongaldersanddwarfwillows.Hardbythefarmhousewasavastbarn,thatmighthaveservedforachurch;everywindowandcreviceofwhichseemedburstingforthwiththetreasuresofthefarm;theflailwasbusilyresoundingwithinitfrommorningtonight;swallowsandmartinsskimmedtwitteringabouttheeaves;anrowsofpigeons,somewithoneeyeturnedup,asifwatchingtheweather,somewiththeirheadsundertheirwingsorburiedintheirbosoms,andothersswelling,andcooing,andbowingabouttheirdames,wereenjoyingthesunshineontheroof.Sleekunwieldyporkersweregruntinginthereposeandabundanceoftheirpens,fromwhencesalliedforth,nowandthen,troopsofsuckingpigs,asiftosnufftheair.Astatelysquadronofsnowygeesewereridinginanadjoiningpond,convoyingwholefleetsofducks;regimentsofturkeysweregobblingthroughthefarmyard,andGuineafowlsfrettingaboutit,likeill-temperedhousewives,withtheirpeevish,discontentedcry.Beforethebarndoorstruttedthegallantcock,thatpatternofahusband,awarriorandafinegentleman,clappinghisburnishedwingsandcrowingintheprideandgladnessofhisheart,--sometimestearinguptheearthwithhisfeet,andthengenerouslycallinghisever-hungryfamilyofwivesandchildrentoenjoytherichmorselwhichhehaddiscovered.

Thepedagogue'smouthwateredashelookeduponthissumptuouspromiseofluxuriouswinterfare.Inhisdevouringmind'seye,hepicturedtohimselfeveryroasting-pigrunningaboutwithapuddinginhisbelly,andanappleinhismouth;thepigeonsweresnuglyputtobedinacomfortablepie,andtuckedinwithacoverletofcrust;thegeesewereswimmingintheirowngravy;andtheduckspairingcosilyindishes,likesnugmarriedcouples,withadecentcompetencyofonionsauce.Intheporkershesawcarvedoutthefuturesleeksideofbacon,andjuicyrelishingham;notaturkeybuthebehelddaintilytrussedup,withitsgizzardunderitswing,and,peradventure,anecklaceofsavorysausages;andevenbrightchanticleerhimselflaysprawlingonhisback,inasidedish,withupliftedclaws,asifcravingthatquarterwhichhischivalrousspiritdisdainedtoaskwhileliving.

AstheenrapturedIchabodfanciedallthis,andasherolledhisgreatgreeneyesoverthefatmeadowlands,therichfieldsofwheat,ofrye,ofbuckwheat,andIndiancorn,andtheorchardsburdenedwithruddyfruit,whichsurroundedthewarmtenementofVanTassel,hisheartyearnedafterthedamselwhowastoinheritthesedomains,andhisimaginationexpandedwiththeidea,howtheymightbereadilyturnedintocash,andthemoneyinvestedinimmensetractsofwildland,andshinglepalacesinthewilderness.Nay,hisbusyfancyalreadyrealizedhishopes,andpresentedtohimthebloomingKatrina,withawholefamilyofchildren,mountedonthetopofawagonloadedwithhouseholdtrumpery,withpotsandkettlesdanglingbeneath;andhebeheldhimselfbestridingapacingmare,withacoltatherheels,settingoutforKentucky,Tennessee,--ortheLordknowswhere!

Whenheenteredthehouse,theconquestofhisheartwascomplete.Itwasoneofthosespaciousfarmhouses,withhigh-ridgedbutlowlyslopingroofs,builtinthestylehandeddownfromthefirstDutchsettlers;thelowprojectingeavesformingapiazzaalongthefront,capableofbeingclosedupinbadweather.Underthiswerehungflails,harness,variousutensilsofhusbandry,andnetsforfishingintheneighboringriver.Bencheswerebuiltalongthesidesforsummeruse;andagreatspinning-wheelatoneend,andachurnattheother,showedthevarioususestowhichthisimportantporchmightbedevoted.FromthispiazzathewonderingIchabodenteredthehall,whichformedthecentreofthemansion,andtheplaceofusualresidence.Hererowsofresplendentpewter,rangedonalongdresser,dazzledhiseyes.Inonecornerstoodahugebagofwool,readytobespun;inanother,aquantityoflinsey-woolseyjustfromtheloom;earsofIndiancorn,andstringsofdriedapplesandpeaches,hungingayfestoonsalongthewalls,mingledwiththegaudofredpeppers;andadoorleftajargavehimapeepintothebestparlor,wheretheclaw-footedchairsanddarkmahoganytablesshonelikemirrors;andirons,withtheiraccompanyingshovelandtongs,glistenedfromtheircovertofasparagustops;mock-orangesandconch-shellsdecoratedthemantelpiece;stringsofvarious-coloredbirdseggsweresuspendedaboveit;agreatostricheggwashungfromthecentreoftheroom,andacornercupboard,knowinglyleftopen,displayedimmensetreasuresofoldsilverandwell-mendedchina.

FromthemomentIchabodlaidhiseyesupontheseregionsofdelight,thepeaceofhismindwasatanend,andhisonlystudywashowtogaintheaffectionsofthepeerlessdaughterofVanTassel.Inthisenterprise,however,hehadmorerealdifficultiesthangenerallyfelltothelotofaknight-errantofyore,whoseldomhadanythingbutgiants,enchanters,fierydragons,andsuchlikeeasilyconqueredadversaries,tocontendwithandhadtomakehiswaymerelythroughgatesofironandbrass,andwallsofadamanttothecastlekeep,wheretheladyofhisheartwasconfined;allwhichheachievedaseasilyasamanwouldcarvehiswaytothecentreofaChristmaspie;andthentheladygavehimherhandasamatterofcourse.Ichabod,onthecontrary,hadtowinhiswaytotheheartofacountrycoquette,besetwithalabyrinthofwhimsandcaprices,whichwereforeverpresentingnewdifficultiesandimpediments;andhehadtoencounterahostoffearfuladversariesofrealfleshandblood,thenumerousrusticadmirers,whobeseteveryportaltoherheart,keepingawatchfulandangryeyeuponeachother,butreadytoflyoutinthecommoncauseagainstanynewcompetitor.

Amongthese,themostformidablewasaburly,roaring,roysteringblade,ofthenameofAbraham,or,accordingtotheDutchabbreviation,BromVanBrunt,theheroofthecountryroundwhichrangwithhisfeatsofstrengthandhardihood.Hewasbroad-shoulderedanddouble-jointed,withshortcurlyblackhair,andabluffbutnotunpleasantcountenance,havingamingledairoffunandarroganceFromhisHerculeanframeandgreatpowersoflimbhehadreceivedthenicknameofBROMBONES,bywhichhewasuniversallyknown.Hewasfamedforgreatknowledgeandskillinhorsemanship,beingasdexterousonhorsebackasaTartar.Hewasforemostatallracesandcockfights;and,withtheascendancywhichbodilystrengthalwaysacquiresinrusticlife,wastheumpireinalldisputes,settinghishatononeside,andgivinghisdecisionswithanairandtonethatadmittedofnogainsayorappeal.Hewasalwaysreadyforeitherafightorafrolic;buthadmoremischiefthanill-willinhiscomposition;andwithallhisoverbearingroughness,therewasastrongdashofwaggishgoodhumoratbottom.Hehadthreeorfourbooncompanions,whoregardedhimastheirmodel,andattheheadofwhomhescouredthecountry,attendingeverysceneoffeudormerrimentformilesround.Incoldweatherhewasdistinguishedbyafurcap,surmountedwithaflauntingfox'stail;andwhenthefolksatacountrygatheringdescriedthiswell-knowncrestatadistance,whiskingaboutamongasquadofhardriders,theyalwaysstoodbyforasquall.Sometimeshiscrewwouldbehearddashingalongpastthefarmhousesatmidnight,withwhoopandhalloo,likeatroopofDonCossacks;andtheolddames,startledoutoftheirsleep,wouldlistenforamomenttillthehurry-scurryhadclatteredby,andthenexclaim,"Ay,theregoesBromBonesandhisgang!"Theneighborslookeduponhimwithamixtureeofawe,admiration,andgood-will;and,whenanymadcapprankorrusticbrawloccurredinthevicinity,alwaysshooktheirheads,andwarrantedBromBoneswasatthebottomofit.

ThisrantipoleherohadforsometimesingledoutthebloomingKatrinafortheobjectofhisuncouthgallantries,andthoughhisamoroustoyingsweresomethinglikethegentlecaressesandendearmentsofabear,yetitwaswhisperedthatshedidnotaltogetherdiscouragehishopes.Certainitis,hisadvancesweresignalsforrivalcandidatestoretire,whofeltnoinclinationtocrossalioninhisamours;insomuch,thatwhenhishorsewasseentiedtoVanTassel'spaling,onaSundaynight,asuresignthathismasterwascourting,or,asitistermed,"sparking,"within,allothersuitorspassedbyindespair,andcarriedthewarintootherquarters.

SuchwastheformidablerivalwithwhomIchabodCranehadtocontend,and,considering,allthings,astoutermanthanhewouldhaveshrunkfromthecompetition,andawisermanwouldhavedespaired.Hehad,however,ahappymixtureofpliabilityandperseveranceinhisnature;hewasinformandspiritlikeasupple-jack膟ielding,buttough;thoughhebent,heneverbroke;andthoughhebowedbeneaththeslightestpressure,yet,themomentitwasaway--jerk!--hewasaserect,andcarriedhisheadashighasever.

Tohavetakenthefieldopenlyagainsthisrivalwouldhavebeenmadness;forhewasnotamantobethwartedinhisamours,anymorethanthatstormylover,Achilles.Ichabod,therefore,

madehisadvancesinaquietandgentlyinsinuatingmanner.Undercoverofhischaracterofsinging-master,hemadefrequentvisitsatthefarmhouse;notthathehadanythingtoapprehendfromthemeddlesomeinterferenceofparents,whichissooftenastumbling-blockinthepathoflovers.BaltVanTasselwasaneasyindulgentsoul;helovedhisdaughterbettereventhanhispipe,and,likeareasonablemanandanexcellentfather,letherhaveherwayineverything.Hisnotablelittlewife,too,hadenoughtodotoattendtoherhousekeepingandmanageherpoultry;for,asshesagelyobserved,ducksandgeesearefoolishthings,andmustbelookedafter,butgirlscantakecareofthemselves.Thus,whilethebusydamebustledaboutthehouse,orpliedherspinning-wheelatoneendofthepiazza,honestBaltwouldsitsmokinghiseveningpipeattheother,watchingtheachievementsofalittlewoodenwarrior,who,armedwithaswordineachhand,wasmostvaliantlyfightingthewindonthepinnacleofthebarn.Inthemeantime,Ichabodwouldcarryonhissuitwiththedaughterbythesideofthespringunderthegreatelm,orsaunteringalonginthetwilight,thathoursofavorabletothelover'seloquence.

Iprofessnottoknowhowwomen'sheartsarewooedandwon.Tometheyhavealwaysbeenmattersofriddleandadmiration.Someseemtohavebutonevulnerablepoint,ordoorofaccess;whileothershaveathousandavenues,andmaybecapturedinathousanddifferentways.Itisagreattriumphofskilltogaintheformer,butastillgreaterproofofgeneralshiptomaintainpossessionofthelatter,formanmustbattleforhisfortressateverydoorandwindow.Hewhowinsathousandcommonheartsisthereforeentitledtosomerenown;buthewhokeepsundisputedswayovertheheartofacoquetteisindeedahero.Certainitis,thiswasnotthecasewiththeredoubtableBromBones;andfromthemomentIchabodCranemadehisadvances,theinterestsoftheformerevidentlydeclined:hishorsewasnolongerseentiedtothepalingsonSundaynights,andadeadlyfeudgraduallyarosebetweenhimandthepreceptorofSleepyHollow.

Brom,whohadadegreeofroughchivalryinhisnature,wouldfainhavecarriedmatterstoopenwarfareandhavesettledtheirpretensionstothelady,accordingtothemodeofthosemostconciseandsimplereasoners,theknights-errantofyore,--bysinglecombat;butlchabodwastooconsciousofthesuperiormightofhisadversarytoenterthelistsagainsthim;hehadoverheardaboastofBones,thathewould"doubletheschoolmasterup,andlayhimonashelfofhisownschoolhouse;"andhewastoowarytogivehimanopportunity.Therewassomethingextremelyprovoking,inthisobstinatelypacificsystem;itleftBromnoalternativebuttodrawuponthefundsofrusticwaggeryinhisdisposition,andtoplayoffboorishpracticaljokesuponhisrival.IchabodbecametheobjectofwhimsicalpersecutiontoBonesandhisgangofroughriders.Theyharriedhishithertopeacefuldomains,smokedouthissinging-schoolbystoppingupthechimney,brokeintotheschoolhouseatnight,inspiteofitsformidablefasteningsofwitheandwindowstakes,andturnedeverythingtopsy-turvy,sothatthepoorschoolmasterbegantothinkallthewitchesinthecountryheldtheirmeetingsthere.Butwhatwasstillmoreannoying,BromtookallOpportunitiesofturninghimintoridiculeinpresenceofhismistress,andhadascoundreldogwhomhetaughttowhineinthemostludicrousmanner,andintroducedasarivalofIchabod's,toinstructherinpsalmody.

Inthiswaymatterswentonforsometime,withoutproducinganymaterialeffectontherelativesituationsofthecontendingpowers.Onafineautumnalafternoon,Ichabod,inpensivemood,satenthronedontheloftystoolfromwhenceheusuallywatchedalltheconcernsofhislittleliteraryrealm.Inhishandheswayedaferule,thatsceptreofdespoticpower;thebirchofjusticereposedonthreenailsbehindthethrone,aconstantterrortoevildoers,whileonthedeskbeforehimmightbeseensundrycontrabandarticlesandprohibitedweapons,detecteduponthepersonsofidleurchins,suchashalf-munchedapples,popguns,whirligigs,fly-cages,andwholelegionsoframpantlittlepapergame-cocks.Apparentlytherehadbeensomeappallingactofjusticerecentlyinflicted,forhisscholarswereallbusilyintentupontheirbooks,orslylywhisperingbehindthemwithoneeyekeptuponthemaster;andakindofbuzzingstillnessreignedthroughouttheschoolroom.Itwassuddenlyinterruptedbytheappearanceofanegrointow-clothjacketandtrowsers.around-crownedfragmentofahat,likethecapofMercury,andmountedonthebackofaragged,wild,half-brokencolt,whichhemanagedwitharopebywayofhalter.Hecameclatteringuptotheschool-doorwithaninvitationtoIchabodtoattendamerry-makingor"quilting-frolic,"tobeheldthateveningatMynheerVanTassel's;andhaving,deliveredhismessagewiththatairofimportanceandeffortatfinelanguagewhichanegroisapttodisplayonpettyembassiesofthekind,hedashedoverthebrook,andwasseenscampering,awayuptheHollow,fulloftheimportanceandhurryofhismission.

Allwasnowbustleandhubbubinthelatequietschoolroom.Thescholarswerehurriedthroughtheirlessonswithoutstoppingattrifles;thosewhowerenimbleskippedoverhalfwithimpunity,andthosewhoweretardyhadasmartapplicationnowandthenintherear,toquickentheirspeedorhelpthemoveratallword.Bookswereflungasidewithoutbeingputawayontheshelves,inkstandswereoverturned,benchesthrowndown,andthewholeschoolwasturnedlooseanhourbeforetheusualtime,burstingforthlikealegionofyoungimps,yelpingandracketingaboutthegreeninjoyattheirearlyemancipation.

ThegallantIchabodnowspentatleastanextrahalfhourathistoilet,brushingandfurbishinguphisbest,andindeedonlysuitofrustyblack,andarranginghislocksbyabitofbrokenlooking-glassthathungupintheschoolhouse.Thathemightmakehisappearancebeforehismistressinthetruestyleofacavalier,heborrowedahorsefromthefarmerwithwhomhewasdomiciliated,acholericoldDutchmanofthenameofHansVanRipper,and,thusgallantlymounted,issuedforthlikeaknight-errantinquestofadventures.ButitismeetIshould,inthetruespiritofromanticstory,givesomeaccountofthelooksandequipmentsofmyheroandhissteed.Theanimalhebestrodewasabroken-downplow-horse,thathadoutlivedalmosteverythingbutitsviciousness.Hewasgauntandshagged,withaeweneck,andaheadlikeahammer;hisrustymaneandtailweretangledandknottedwithburs;oneeyehadlostitspupil,andwasglaringandspectral,buttheotherhadthegleamofagenuinedevilinit.Stillhemusthavehadfireandmettleinhisday,ifwemayjudgefromthenameheboreofGunpowder.Hehad,infact,beenafavoritesteedofhismaster's,thecholericVanRipper,whowasafuriousrider,andhadinfused,veryprobably,someofhisownspiritintotheanimal;for,oldandbroken-downashelooked,therewasmoreofthelurkingdevilinhimthaninanyyoungfillyinthecountry.

Ichabodwasasuitablefigureforsuchasteed.Herodewithshortstirrups,whichbroughthiskneesnearlyuptothepommelofthesaddle;hissharpelbowsstuckoutlikegrasshoppers';hecarriedhiswhipperpendicularlyinhishand,likeasceptre,andashishorsejoggedon,themotionofhisarmswasnotunliketheflappingofapairofwings.Asmallwoolhatrestedonthetopofhisnose,forsohisscantystripofforeheadmightbecalled,andtheskirtsofhisblackcoatflutteredoutalmosttothehorsestail.SuchwastheappearanceofIchabodandhissteedastheyshambledoutofthegateofHansVanRipper,anditwasaltogethersuchanapparitionasisseldomtobemetwithinbroaddaylight.

Itwas,asIhavesaid,afineautumnalday;theskywasclearandserene,andnatureworethatrichandgoldenliverywhichwealwaysassociatewiththeideaofabundance.Theforestshadputontheirsoberbrownandyellow,whilesometreesofthetendererkindhadbeennippedbythefrostsintobrilliantdyesoforange,purple,andscarlet.Streamingfilesofwildducksbegantomaketheirappearancehighintheair;thebarkofthesquirrelmightbeheardfromthegrovesofbeechandhickory-nuts,andthepensivewhistleofthequailatintervalsfromtheneighboringstubblefield.

Thesmallbirdsweretakingtheirfarewellbanquets.Inthefullnessoftheirrevelry,theyfluttered,chirpingandfrolickingfrombushtobush,andtreetotree,capriciousfromtheveryprofusionandvarietyaroundthem.Therewasthehonestcockrobin,thefavoritegameofstriplingsportsmen,withitsloudquerulousnote;andthetwi