Легенда о Сонной Лощине
Found Among The Papers Of The Late Diedrich Knickerbocker.
Thoughthenightwasdarkanddismal,yettheformoftheunknownmightnowinsomedegreebeascertained.Heappearedtobeahorsemanoflargedimensions,andmountedonablackhorseofpowerfulframe.Hemadenoofferofmolestationorsociability,butkeptaloofononesideoftheroad,joggingalongontheblindsideofoldGunpowder,whohadnowgotoverhisfrightandwaywardness.
Ichabod,whohadnorelishforthisstrangemidnightcompanion,andbethoughthimselfoftheadventureofBromBoneswiththeGallopingHessian,nowquickenedhissteedinhopesofleavinghimbehind.Thestranger,however,quickenedhishorsetoanequalpace.Ichabodpulledup,andfellintoawalk,thinkingtolagbehind,—theotherdidthesame.Hisheartbegantosinkwithinhim;heendeavoredtoresumehispsalmtune,buthisparchedtongueclovetotheroofofhismouth,andhecouldnotutterastave.Therewassomethinginthemoodyanddoggedsilenceofthispertinaciouscompanionthatwasmysteriousandappalling.Itwassoonfearfullyaccountedfor.Onmountingarisingground,whichbroughtthefigureofhisfellow-travellerinreliefagainstthesky,giganticinheight,andmuffledinacloak,Ichabodwashorror-struckonperceivingthathewasheadless!—buthishorrorwasstillmoreincreasedonobservingthatthehead,whichshouldhaverestedonhisshoulders,wascarriedbeforehimonthepommelofhissaddle!Histerrorrosetodesperation;herainedashowerofkicksandblowsuponGunpowder,hopingbyasuddenmovementtogivehiscompaniontheslip;butthespectrestartedfulljumpwithhim.
