Легенда о Сонной Лощине
Found Among The Papers Of The Late Diedrich Knickerbocker.
Hehadthreeorfourbooncompanions,whoregardedhimastheirmodel,andattheheadofwhomhescouredthecountry,attendingeverysceneoffeudormerrimentformilesround.Incoldweatherhewasdistinguishedbyafurcap,surmountedwithaflauntingfox’stail;andwhenthefolksatacountrygatheringdescriedthiswell-knowncrestatadistance,whiskingaboutamongasquadofhardriders,theyalwaysstoodbyforasquall.Sometimeshiscrewwouldbehearddashingalongpastthefarmhousesatmidnight,withwhoopandhalloo,likeatroopofDonCossacks;andtheolddames,startledoutoftheirsleep,wouldlistenforamomenttillthehurry-scurryhadclatteredby,andthenexclaim,“Ay,theregoesBromBonesandhisgang!”Theneighborslookeduponhimwithamixtureofawe,admiration,andgood-will;and,whenanymadcapprankorrusticbrawloccurredinthevicinity,alwaysshooktheirheads,andwarrantedBromBoneswasatthebottomofit.
ThisrantipoleherohadforsometimesingledoutthebloomingKatrinafortheobjectofhisuncouthgallantries,andthoughhisamoroustoyingsweresomethinglikethegentlecaressesandendearmentsofabear,yetitwaswhisperedthatshedidnotaltogetherdiscouragehishopes.Certainitis,hisadvancesweresignalsforrivalcandidatestoretire,whofeltnoinclinationtocrossalioninhisamours;insomuch,thatwhenhishorsewasseentiedtoVanTassel’spaling,onaSundaynight,asuresignthathismasterwascourting,or,asitistermed,“sparking,”within,allothersuitorspassedbyindespair,andcarriedthewarintootherquarters.
