29 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
name of Wiley's swamp. A few rough logs, laid side by side, served for a bridge over this stream. On that side of the road where the
brook entered the wood, a group of oaks and chestnuts, matted thick
with wild grape-vines, threw a cavernous gloom over it. To pass this bridge was the severest trial. It was at this identical spot that
the unfortunate Andre was captured, and under the covert of those chestnuts and vines were the sturdy yeomen concealed who surprised
him. This has ever since been considered a haunted stream, and
fearful are the feelings of the schoolboy who has to pass it alone
after dark.
As he approached the stream, his heart began to thump ; he summoned up, however, all his resolution, gave his horse half a score of
kicks in the ribs, and attempted to dash briskly across the bridge;
but instead of starting forward, the perverse old animal made a lateral
movement, and ran broadside against the fence. Ichabod, whose
fears increased with the delay, jerked the reins on the other side, and
kicked lustily with the contrary foot: it was all in vain ; his steed started, it is true, but it was only to plunge to the opposite side of the
road into a thicket of brambles and alder bushes. The schoolmaster
now bestowed both whip and heel upon the starveling ribs of old
Gunpowder, who dashed forward, snuffling and snorting, but came to
a stand just by the bridge, with a suddenness that had nearly sent his
rider sprawling over his head. Just at this moment a plashy tramp
by the side of the bridge caught the sensitive ear of Ichabod. In the
dark shadow of the grove, on the margin of the brook, he beheld
something huge, misshapen, black, and towering. It stirred not, but
seemed gathered up in the gloom, like some gigantic monster ready
to spring upon the traveller.
The hair of the affrighted pedagogue rose upon his head with terror. What was to be done ? To turn and fly was now too late; and besides, what chance was there of escaping ghost or goblin, if such it was, which could ride upon the wings of the wind? Summoning up, therefore, a show of courage, he demanded in stammering
