Легенда о Сонной Лощине
Found Among The Papers Of The Late Diedrich Knickerbocker.
FartheronhebeheldgreatfieldsofIndiancorn,withitsgoldenearspeepingfromtheirleafycoverts,andholdingoutthepromiseofcakesandhasty-pudding;andtheyellowpumpkinslyingbeneaththem,turninguptheirfairroundbelliestothesun,andgivingampleprospectsofthemostluxuriousofpies;andanonhepassedthefragrantbuckwheatfieldsbreathingtheodorofthebeehive,andashebeheldthem,softanticipationsstoleoverhismindofdaintyslapjacks,wellbuttered,andgarnishedwithhoneyortreacle,bythedelicatelittledimpledhandofKatrinaVanTassel.
Thusfeedinghismindwithmanysweetthoughtsand“sugaredsuppositions,”hejourneyedalongthesidesofarangeofhillswhichlookoutuponsomeofthegoodliestscenesofthemightyHudson.Thesungraduallywheeledhisbroaddiskdowninthewest.ThewidebosomoftheTappanZeelaymotionlessandglassy,exceptingthathereandthereagentleundulationwavedandprolongedtheblueshadowofthedistantmountain.Afewambercloudsfloatedinthesky,withoutabreathofairtomovethem.Thehorizonwasofafinegoldentint,changinggraduallyintoapureapplegreen,andfromthatintothedeepblueofthemid-heaven.Aslantingraylingeredonthewoodycrestsoftheprecipicesthatoverhungsomepartsoftheriver,givinggreaterdepthtothedarkgrayandpurpleoftheirrockysides.Asloopwasloiteringinthedistance,droppingslowlydownwiththetide,hersailhanginguselesslyagainstthemast;andasthereflectionoftheskygleamedalongthestillwater,itseemedasifthevesselwassuspendedintheair.
