The Cecil Whig., 1873-10-18

whose fears increased with the delay, jerk
ed the reins on the other side, and kicked
Justify 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 thicket of brambles and
alder bushes. The schoolmaster now be-
slowed both whip and heel upon the star
Yelling ribs of old Gunpowder, who dashed
forward, snuffing and snorting, but came
to stand just by the bridge, with a sud
denness that had nearly sent his rider
sprawling over his head. Just at this mo-
ment 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. 1t
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
WIS GHOlC VI SoSdplhS ShOo0 vi Sooilh, IL
such it was, which could ride upon the
wings of the wind? Summohing up, there
fore, show of courage, he demanded in
stammering accents" Who are you?
He received no reply. He repeated his
demand in still more agitated voice.
Still there was no answer. Once more he
cudgelled the sides of the inaexible Gun
powder, and, shutting his eyes, broke forth
with involuntary fervor into a psalm tune.
Just then the shadowy object of alarm put
itself in motion, and, with a scramble and
bound, stood at once in the middle of
the road Though the night was dark and
dismal, yet the form of the unknown might
now in some degree be ascertained. He
appeared to be horseman of large dimen-
sons, and mounted on black horse of
powerful frame. He made no offer of mol
estation or sociability, but kept aloof on
one side of the road, jogging along on the
blind side of old Gunpowder, who had now
got over his fright and waywardness.
Ichabod, who had no relish for this
anu pO-
thought himself of the adventure OF Brom
Bones with the Galloping Hessian, now
quickened his steed, in hopes of leaving
him behind. The stranger, however,
quickened his horse to an equal pace.
Ichabod pulled up, and fell into a walk,
thinking to lag behind, d,-the other did the
same. His heart began to sink within
him; he endeavored to resume his psalm
tune, but his parched tongue Glove to the
roof of his mouth, and he could not utter
stave. There was something in the moody
and dogged silence of this pertinacious
companion, that was mysterious and ap-
palling. 1t was soon fearfully accounted
for. On mounting rising ground, which
brought the figure of his fellow traveller in
relief against the sky, gigantic in height,
and muffled in a cloak, Ichabod was hor-
ror-struck, on perceiving that he was head
less but his horror was still more in
creased, on observing that the head, which
should have rested on his shoulders, was
carried before him on the pommel of the
saddle: his terror rose to desperation; he
rained a shower of kicks and blows upon
Gunpowder, hoping, by sudden move
ment, to give his companion the slip,-but
the spectre started full jump with him.
Away then they dashed through thick and
thin; stones flying, and sparks flashing at
every bound. Ichabod's fimsy garments
tluttered in the air, as he stretched his long
lank body away over his horses head, in
the eagerness of his flight.
They had now reached the road which
turns off to Sleepy Hollow; but Gunpow-
der, who seemed possessed with demon,
instead of keeping up it, made an opposite
turn, and plunged headlong downhili to
the left. This road leads through sandy
hollow, shaded by trees for about quarter
of a mile, where it crosses the bridge fam
GUS in goblin story, and just beyond swells
the green knoll on which stands the white
washed church.
AS yet the panic of the steed had given
his unskillful rider an apparent advantage
in the race; but just as he had got half
way through the hollow, the girths of the
saddle gave way, and he felt it slipping
from under him. He seized it by the POM
mel, and endeavored to hold it tirm but in
vain; and had just time to save himself by
clasping old Gunpowder round the neck,
when the saddle fell to the earth, and he
heard it trampled underfoot by his pur-
suer. For a moment the terror of Hans
Van Ripper's wrath passed across his mind
for it was his Sunday saddle; but this
was no time for petty fears; the goblin
was hard OH his launches; and (unskilful
rider that he was y he had much ado to
maintain his seat; sometimes slipping on
one side, sometimes on another, and some |
times jolted on the high ridge of his horses
backbone, with violence that he verify |
feared would cleave him asunder.
An opening in the trees now cheered |
him with the hopes that the church bridge |
was at hand. The wavering reflection of |
a silver star in the bosom of the brook told |
him that he was not mistaken. He saw
the walls of the church dimly glaring un-
der the trees beyond. He recolected the |
place where Brom Bones's ghostly COM
petitor had disappeared. "If l can but
reach that BRIDGE thought Ichabod, 81
am safe" Just then he heard the black
steed painting and blowing close behind
him; he even fancied that he felt his hot
breath. Another convulsive kick in the
ribs, and old Gunpowder sprang upon the
bridge; he thundered over the resoundng
planks; he gained the opposite side; and
now Ichabod cast look behind to see if
his pursuer should vanish, according to
rule, in flash of fire and rhinestone.
Just then he saw the goblin rising in his
stirrups, and in the very act of of hurting
his head at him. Ichabod endeavored to
dodge the horrible missile, but too late.
1t encountered his Uranium with a tre-
mendous crash,-he was tumbled head
long into the dust, and Gunpowder, the
black steed, and the goblin rider, passed
Inv like a whirlwind