Легенда о Сонной Лощине
Found Among The Papers Of The Late Diedrich Knickerbocker.
Thefireflies,too,whichsparkledmostvividlyinthedarkestplaces,nowandthenstartledhim,asoneofuncommonbrightnesswouldstreamacrosshispath;andif,bychance,ahugeblockheadofabeetlecamewinginghisblunderingflightagainsthim,thepoorvarletwasreadytogiveuptheghost,withtheideathathewasstruckwithawitch’stoken.Hisonlyresourceonsuchoccasions,eithertodrownthoughtordriveawayevilspirits,wastosingpsalmtunesandthegoodpeopleofSleepyHollow,astheysatbytheirdoorsofanevening,wereoftenfilledwithaweathearinghisnasalmelody,“inlinkedsweetnesslongdrawnout,”floatingfromthedistanthill,oralongtheduskyroad.
AnotherofhissourcesoffearfulpleasurewastopasslongwintereveningswiththeoldDutchwives,astheysatspinningbythefire,witharowofapplesroastingandsplutteringalongthehearth,andlistentotheirmarvelloustalesofghostsandgoblins,andhauntedfields,andhauntedbrooks,andhauntedbridges,andhauntedhouses,andparticularlyoftheheadlesshorseman,orGallopingHessianoftheHollow,astheysometimescalledhim.
