Легенда о Сонной Лощине
Found Among The Papers Of The Late Diedrich Knickerbocker.
Ichabod,onthecontrary,hadtowinhiswaytotheheartofacountrycoquette,besetwithalabyrinthofwhimsandcaprices,whichwereforeverpresentingnewdifficultiesandimpediments;andhehadtoencounterahostoffearfuladversariesofrealfleshandblood,thenumerousrusticadmirers,whobeseteveryportaltoherheart,keepingawatchfulandangryeyeuponeachother,butreadytoflyoutinthecommoncauseagainstanynewcompetitor.
Amongthese,themostformidablewasaburly,roaring,roysteringblade,ofthenameofAbraham,or,accordingtotheDutchabbreviation,BromVanBrunt,theheroofthecountryround,whichrangwithhisfeatsofstrengthandhardihood.Hewasbroad-shoulderedanddouble-jointed,withshortcurlyblackhair,andabluffbutnotunpleasantcountenance,havingamingledairoffunandarrogance.FromhisHerculeanframeandgreatpowersoflimbhehadreceivedthenicknameofBROMBONES,bywhichhewasuniversallyknown.Hewasfamedforgreatknowledgeandskillinhorsemanship,beingasdexterousonhorsebackasaTartar.Hewasforemostatallracesandcockfights;and,withtheascendancywhichbodilystrengthalwaysacquiresinrusticlife,wastheumpireinalldisputes,settinghishatononeside,andgivinghisdecisionswithanairandtonethatadmittedofnogainsayorappeal.Hewasalwaysreadyforeitherafightorafrolic;buthadmoremischiefthanill-willinhiscomposition;andwithallhisoverbearingroughness,therewasastrongdashofwaggishgoodhumoratbottom.
