Of dreams that wave before the half-shut eye;
And of gay castles in the clouds that pass,
Forever flushing round a summer sky.
CASTLE OF INDOLENCE.
In the bosom2 of one of those spacious3 coves4 which indent5 the eastern shore of the Hudson, at that broad expansion of the river denominated by the ancient Dutch navigators the Tappan Zee, and where they always prudently6 shortened sail and implored7 the protection of St. Nicholas when they crossed, there lies a small market town or rural port, which by some is called Greensburgh, but which is more generally and properly known by the name of Tarry Town. This name was given, we are told, in former days, by the good housewives of the adjacent country, from the inveterate8 propensity9 of their husbands to linger about the village tavern10 on market days. Be that as it may, I do not vouch11 for the fact, but merely advert13 to it, for the sake of being precise and authentic14. Not far from this village, perhaps about two miles, there is a little valley or rather lap of land among high hills, which is one of the quietest places in the whole world. A small brook15 glides16 through it, with just murmur17 enough to lull18 one to repose19; and the occasional whistle of a quail20 or tapping of a woodpecker is almost the only sound that ever breaks in upon the uniform tranquillity22.
I recollect23 that, when a stripling, my first exploit in squirrel-shooting was in a grove25 of tall walnut-trees that shades one side of the valley. I had wandered into it at noontime, when all nature is peculiarly quiet, and was startled by the roar of my own gun, as it broke the Sabbath stillness around and was prolonged and reverberated27 by the angry echoes. If ever I should wish for a retreat whither I might steal from the world and its distractions28, and dream quietly away the remnant of a troubled life, I know of none more promising29 than this little valley.
From the listless repose of the place, and the peculiar26 character of its inhabitants, who are descendants from the original Dutch settlers, this sequestered30 glen has long been known by the name of SLEEPY HOLLOW, and its rustic31 lads are called the Sleepy Hollow Boys throughout all the neighboring country. A drowsy, dreamy influence seems to hang over the land, and to pervade32 the very atmosphere. Some say that the place was bewitched by a High German doctor, during the early days of the settlement; others, that an old Indian chief, the prophet or wizard of his tribe, held his powwows there before the country was discovered by Master Hendrick Hudson. Certain it is, the place still continues under the sway of some witching power, that holds a spell over the minds of the good people, causing them to walk in a continual reverie. They are given to all kinds of marvellous beliefs, are subject to trances and visions, and frequently see strange sights, and hear music and voices in the air. The whole neighborhood abounds34 with local tales, haunted spots, and twilight36 superstitions37; stars shoot and meteors glare oftener across the valley than in any other part of the country, and the nightmare, with her whole ninefold, seems to make it the favorite scene of her gambols40.
The dominant41 spirit, however, that haunts this enchanted42 region, and seems to be commander-in-chief of all the powers of the air, is the apparition43 of a figure on horseback, without a head. It is said by some to be the ghost of a Hessian trooper, whose head had been carried away by a cannon-ball, in some nameless battle during the Revolutionary War, and who is ever and anon seen by the country folk hurrying along in the gloom of night, as if on the wings of the wind. His haunts are not confined to the valley, but extend at times to the adjacent roads, and especially to the vicinity of a church at no great distance. Indeed, certain of the most authentic historians of those parts, who have been careful in collecting and collating45 the floating facts concerning this spectre, allege46 that the body of the trooper having been buried in the churchyard, the ghost rides forth47 to the scene of battle in nightly quest of his head, and that the rushing speed with which he sometimes passes along the Hollow, like a midnight blast, is owing to his being belated, and in a hurry to get back to the churchyard before daybreak.
Such is the general purport48 of this legendary49 superstition38, which has furnished materials for many a wild story in that region of shadows; and the spectre is known at all the country firesides, by the name of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.
It is remarkable50 that the visionary propensity I have mentioned is not confined to the native inhabitants of the valley, but is unconsciously imbibed51 by every one who resides there for a time. However wide awake they may have been before they entered that sleepy region, they are sure, in a little time, to inhale52 the witching influence of the air, and begin to grow imaginative, to dream dreams, and see apparitions53.
I mention this peaceful spot with all possible laud54, for it is in such little retired55 Dutch valleys, found here and there embosomed in the great State of New York, that population, manners, and customs remain fixed56, while the great torrent57 of migration58 and improvement, which is making such incessant59 changes in other parts of this restless country, sweeps by them unobserved. They are like those little nooks of still water, which border a rapid stream, where we may see the straw and bubble riding quietly at anchor, or slowly revolving61 in their mimic62 harbor, undisturbed by the rush of the passing current. Though many years have elapsed since I trod the drowsy shades of Sleepy Hollow, yet I question whether I should not still find the same trees and the same families vegetating63 in its sheltered bosom.
In this by-place of nature there abode64, in a remote period of American history, that is to say, some thirty years since, a worthy65 wight of the name of Ichabod Crane, who sojourned, or, as he expressed it, “tarried,” in Sleepy Hollow, for the purpose of instructing the children of the vicinity. He was a native of Connecticut, a State which supplies the union with pioneers for the mind as well as for the forest, and sends forth yearly its legions of frontier woodmen and country schoolmasters. The cognomen66 of Crane was not inapplicable to his person. He was tall, but exceedingly lank67, with narrow shoulders, long arms and legs, hands that dangled68 a mile out of his sleeves, feet that might have served for shovels69, and his whole frame most loosely hung together. His head was small, and flat at top, with huge ears, large green glassy eyes, and a long snipe nose, so that it looked like a weather-cock perched upon his spindle neck to tell which way the wind blew. To see him striding along the profile of a hill on a windy day, with his clothes bagging and fluttering about him, one might have mistaken him for the genius of famine descending71 upon the earth, or some scarecrow eloped from a cornfield.
His schoolhouse was a low building of one large room, rudely constructed of logs; the windows partly glazed72, and partly patched with leaves of old copybooks. It was most ingeniously secured at vacant hours, by a withe twisted in the handle of the door, and stakes set against the window shutters73; so that though a thief might get in with perfect ease, he would find some embarrassment74 in getting out,—an idea most probably borrowed by the architect, Yost Van Houten, from the mystery of an eelpot. The schoolhouse stood in a rather lonely but pleasant situation, just at the foot of a woody hill, with a brook running close by, and a formidable birch-tree growing at one end of it. From hence the low murmur of his pupils’ voices, conning75 over their lessons, might be heard in a drowsy summer’s day, like the hum of a beehive; interrupted now and then by the authoritative76 voice of the master, in the tone of menace or command, or, peradventure, by the appalling77 sound of the birch, as he urged some tardy78 loiterer along the flowery path of knowledge. Truth to say, he was a conscientious79 man, and ever bore in mind the golden maxim80, “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” Ichabod Crane’s scholars certainly were not spoiled.
I would not have it imagined, however, that he was one of those cruel potentates82 of the school who joy in the smart of their subjects; on the contrary, he administered justice with discrimination rather than severity; taking the burden off the backs of the weak, and laying it on those of the strong. Your mere12 puny83 stripling, that winced84 at the least flourish of the rod, was passed by with indulgence; but the claims of justice were satisfied by inflicting85 a double portion on some little tough wrong-headed, broad-skirted Dutch urchin86, who sulked and swelled87 and grew dogged and sullen88 beneath the birch. All this he called “doing his duty by their parents;” and he never inflicted89 a chastisement90 without following it by the assurance, so consolatory91 to the smarting urchin, that “he would remember it and thank him for it the longest day he had to live.”
When school hours were over, he was even the companion and playmate of the larger boys; and on holiday afternoons would convoy92 some of the smaller ones home, who happened to have pretty sisters, or good housewives for mothers, noted93 for the comforts of the cupboard. Indeed, it behooved94 him to keep on good terms with his pupils. The revenue arising from his school was small, and would have been scarcely sufficient to furnish him with daily bread, for he was a huge feeder, and, though lank, had the dilating95 powers of an anaconda; but to help out his maintenance, he was, according to country custom in those parts, boarded and lodged96 at the houses of the farmers whose children he instructed. With these he lived successively a week at a time, thus going the rounds of the neighborhood, with all his worldly effects tied up in a cotton handkerchief.
That all this might not be too onerous97 on the purses of his rustic patrons, who are apt to consider the costs of schooling98 a grievous burden, and schoolmasters as mere drones, he had various ways of rendering99 himself both useful and agreeable. He assisted the farmers occasionally in the lighter100 labors101 of their farms, helped to make hay, mended the fences, took the horses to water, drove the cows from pasture, and cut wood for the winter fire. He laid aside, too, all the dominant dignity and absolute sway with which he lorded it in his little empire, the school, and became wonderfully gentle and ingratiating. He found favor in the eyes of the mothers by petting the children, particularly the youngest; and like the lion bold, which whilom so magnanimously the lamb did hold, he would sit with a child on one knee, and rock a cradle with his foot for whole hours together.
In addition to his other vocations104, he was the singing-master of the neighborhood, and picked up many bright shillings by instructing the young folks in psalmody. It was a matter of no little vanity to him on Sundays, to take his station in front of the church gallery, with a band of chosen singers; where, in his own mind, he completely carried away the palm from the parson. Certain it is, his voice resounded106 far above all the rest of the congregation; and there are peculiar quavers still to be heard in that church, and which may even be heard half a mile off, quite to the opposite side of the millpond, on a still Sunday morning, which are said to be legitimately107 descended108 from the nose of Ichabod Crane. Thus, by divers109 little makeshifts, in that ingenious way which is commonly denominated “by hook and by crook,” the worthy pedagogue110 got on tolerably enough, and was thought, by all who understood nothing of the labor102 of headwork, to have a wonderfully easy life of it.
The schoolmaster is generally a man of some importance in the female circle of a rural neighborhood; being considered a kind of idle, gentlemanlike personage, of vastly superior taste and accomplishments111 to the rough country swains, and, indeed, inferior in learning only to the parson. His appearance, therefore, is apt to occasion some little stir at the tea-table of a farmhouse112, and the addition of a supernumerary dish of cakes or sweetmeats, or, peradventure, the parade of a silver teapot. Our man of letters, therefore, was peculiarly happy in the smiles of all the country damsels. How he would figure among them in the churchyard, between services on Sundays; gathering113 grapes for them from the wild vines that overran the surrounding trees; reciting for their amusement all the epitaphs on the tombstones; or sauntering, with a whole bevy114 of them, along the banks of the adjacent millpond; while the more bashful country bumpkins hung sheepishly back, envying his superior elegance115 and address.
From his half-itinerant116 life, also, he was a kind of travelling gazette, carrying the whole budget of local gossip from house to house, so that his appearance was always greeted with satisfaction. He was, moreover, esteemed117 by the women as a man of great erudition, for he had read several books quite through, and was a perfect master of Cotton Mather’s “History of New England Witchcraft118,” in which, by the way, he most firmly and potently119 believed.
He was, in fact, an odd mixture of small shrewdness and simple credulity. His appetite for the marvellous, and his powers of digesting it, were equally extraordinary; and both had been increased by his residence in this spell-bound region. No tale was too gross or monstrous120 for his capacious swallow. It was often his delight, after his school was dismissed in the afternoon, to stretch himself on the rich bed of clover bordering the little brook that whimpered by his schoolhouse, and there con33 over old Mather’s direful tales, until the gathering dusk of evening made the printed page a mere mist before his eyes. Then, as he wended his way by swamp and stream and awful woodland, to the farmhouse where he happened to be quartered, every sound of nature, at that witching hour, fluttered his excited imagination,—the moan of the whip-poor-will from the hillside, the boding122 cry of the tree toad123, that harbinger of storm, the dreary124 hooting24 of the screech125 owl60, or the sudden rustling126 in the thicket127 of birds frightened from their roost. The fireflies, too, which sparkled most vividly128 in the darkest places, now and then startled him, as one of uncommon129 brightness would stream across his path; and if, by chance, a huge blockhead of a beetle130 came winging his blundering flight against him, the poor varlet was ready to give up the ghost, with the idea that he was struck with a witch’s token. His only resource on such occasions, either to drown thought or drive away evil spirits, was to sing psalm105 tunes131 and the good people of Sleepy Hollow, as they sat by their doors of an evening, were often filled with awe133 at hearing his nasal melody, “in linked sweetness long drawn134 out,” floating from the distant hill, or along the dusky road.
Another of his sources of fearful pleasure was to pass long winter evenings with the old Dutch wives, as they sat spinning by the fire, with a row of apples roasting and spluttering along the hearth135, and listen to their marvellous tales of ghosts and goblins, and haunted fields, and haunted brooks136, and haunted bridges, and haunted houses, and particularly of the headless horseman, or Galloping138 Hessian of the Hollow, as they sometimes called him. He would delight them equally by his anecdotes139 of witchcraft, and of the direful omens140 and portentous141 sights and sounds in the air, which prevailed in the earlier times of Connecticut; and would frighten them woefully with speculations142 upon comets and shooting stars; and with the alarming fact that the world did absolutely turn round, and that they were half the time topsy-turvy!
But if there was a pleasure in all this, while snugly145 cuddling in the chimney corner of a chamber146 that was all of a ruddy glow from the crackling wood fire, and where, of course, no spectre dared to show its face, it was dearly purchased by the terrors of his subsequent walk homewards. What fearful shapes and shadows beset148 his path, amidst the dim and ghastly glare of a snowy night! With what wistful look did he eye every trembling ray of light streaming across the waste fields from some distant window! How often was he appalled149 by some shrub150 covered with snow, which, like a sheeted spectre, beset his very path! How often did he shrink with curdling151 awe at the sound of his own steps on the frosty crust beneath his feet; and dread152 to look over his shoulder, lest he should behold153 some uncouth154 being tramping close behind him! And how often was he thrown into complete dismay by some rushing blast, howling among the trees, in the idea that it was the Galloping Hessian on one of his nightly scourings!
All these, however, were mere terrors of the night, phantoms155 of the mind that walk in darkness; and though he had seen many spectres in his time, and been more than once beset by Satan in divers shapes, in his lonely perambulations, yet daylight put an end to all these evils; and he would have passed a pleasant life of it, in despite of the Devil and all his works, if his path had not been crossed by a being that causes more perplexity to mortal man than ghosts, goblins, and the whole race of witches put together, and that was—a woman.
Among the musical disciples156 who assembled, one evening in each week, to receive his instructions in psalmody, was Katrina Van Tassel157, the daughter and only child of a substantial Dutch farmer. She was a blooming lass of fresh eighteen; plump as a partridge; ripe and melting and rosy-cheeked as one of her father’s peaches, and universally famed, not merely for her beauty, but her vast expectations. She was withal a little of a coquette, as might be perceived even in her dress, which was a mixture of ancient and modern fashions, as most suited to set off her charms. She wore the ornaments158 of pure yellow gold, which her great-great-grandmother had brought over from Saardam; the tempting159 stomacher of the olden time, and withal a provokingly short petticoat, to display the prettiest foot and ankle in the country round.
Ichabod Crane had a soft and foolish heart towards the sex; and it is not to be wondered at that so tempting a morsel160 soon found favor in his eyes, more especially after he had visited her in her paternal161 mansion162. Old Baltus Van Tassel was a perfect picture of a thriving, contented163, liberal-hearted farmer. He seldom, it is true, sent either his eyes or his thoughts beyond the boundaries of his own farm; but within those everything was snug144, happy and well-conditioned. He was satisfied with his wealth, but not proud of it; and piqued164 himself upon the hearty165 abundance, rather than the style in which he lived. His stronghold was situated166 on the banks of the Hudson, in one of those green, sheltered, fertile nooks in which the Dutch farmers are so fond of nestling. A great elm tree spread its broad branches over it, at the foot of which bubbled up a spring of the softest and sweetest water, in a little well formed of a barrel; and then stole sparkling away through the grass, to a neighboring brook, that babbled167 along among alders169 and dwarf170 willows171. Hard by the farmhouse was a vast barn, that might have served for a church; every window and crevice172 of which seemed bursting forth with the treasures of the farm; the flail173 was busily resounding174 within it from morning to night; swallows and martins skimmed twittering about the eaves; and rows of pigeons, some with one eye turned up, as if watching the weather, some with their heads under their wings or buried in their bosoms175, and others swelling176, and cooing, and bowing about their dames177, were enjoying the sunshine on the roof. Sleek179 unwieldy porkers were grunting180 in the repose and abundance of their pens, from whence sallied forth, now and then, troops of sucking pigs, as if to snuff the air. A stately squadron of snowy geese were riding in an adjoining pond, convoying whole fleets of ducks; regiments182 of turkeys were gobbling through the farmyard, and Guinea fowls183 fretting184 about it, like ill-tempered housewives, with their peevish185, discontented cry. Before the barn door strutted186 the gallant187 cock, that pattern of a husband, a warrior188 and a fine gentleman, clapping his burnished189 wings and crowing in the pride and gladness of his heart,—sometimes tearing up the earth with his feet, and then generously calling his ever-hungry family of wives and children to enjoy the rich morsel which he had discovered.
The pedagogue’s mouth watered as he looked upon this sumptuous190 promise of luxurious191 winter fare. In his devouring192 mind’s eye, he pictured to himself every roasting-pig running about with a pudding in his belly193, and an apple in his mouth; the pigeons were snugly put to bed in a comfortable pie, and tucked in with a coverlet of crust; the geese were swimming in their own gravy194; and the ducks pairing cosily195 in dishes, like snug married couples, with a decent competency of onion sauce. In the porkers he saw carved out the future sleek side of bacon, and juicy relishing196 ham; not a turkey but he beheld198 daintily trussed up, with its gizzard under its wing, and, peradventure, a necklace of savory199 sausages; and even bright chanticleer himself lay sprawling201 on his back, in a side dish, with uplifted claws, as if craving202 that quarter which his chivalrous203 spirit disdained204 to ask while living.
As the enraptured205 Ichabod fancied all this, and as he rolled his great green eyes over the fat meadow lands, the rich fields of wheat, of rye, of buckwheat, and Indian corn, and the orchards206 burdened with ruddy fruit, which surrounded the warm tenement207 of Van Tassel, his heart yearned208 after the damsel who was to inherit these domains209, and his imagination expanded with the idea, how they might be readily turned into cash, and the money invested in immense tracts210 of wild land, and shingle211 palaces in the wilderness212. Nay213, his busy fancy already realized his hopes, and presented to him the blooming Katrina, with a whole family of children, mounted on the top of a wagon214 loaded with household trumpery215, with pots and kettles dangling216 beneath; and he beheld himself bestriding a pacing mare39, with a colt at her heels, setting out for Kentucky, Tennessee,—or the Lord knows where!
When he entered the house, the conquest of his heart was complete. It was one of those spacious farmhouses217, with high-ridged but lowly sloping roofs, built in the style handed down from the first Dutch settlers; the low projecting eaves forming a piazza218 along the front, capable of being closed up in bad weather. Under this were hung flails219, harness, various utensils220 of husbandry, and nets for fishing in the neighboring river. Benches were built along the sides for summer use; and a great spinning-wheel at one end, and a churn at the other, showed the various uses to which this important porch might be devoted221. From this piazza the wondering Ichabod entered the hall, which formed the centre of the mansion, and the place of usual residence. Here rows of resplendent pewter, ranged on a long dresser, dazzled his eyes. In one corner stood a huge bag of wool, ready to be spun222; in another, a quantity of linsey-woolsey just from the loom44; ears of Indian corn, and strings223 of dried apples and peaches, hung in gay festoons along the walls, mingled224 with the gaud of red peppers; and a door left ajar gave him a peep into the best parlor225, where the claw-footed chairs and dark mahogany tables shone like mirrors; andirons, with their accompanying shovel70 and tongs226, glistened227 from their covert228 of asparagus tops; mock-oranges and conch-shells decorated the mantelpiece; strings of various-colored birds eggs were suspended above it; a great ostrich229 egg was hung from the centre of the room, and a corner cupboard, knowingly left open, displayed immense treasures of old silver and well-mended china.
From the moment Ichabod laid his eyes upon these regions of delight, the peace of his mind was at an end, and his only study was how to gain the affections of the peerless daughter of Van Tassel. In this enterprise, however, he had more real difficulties than generally fell to the lot of a knight-errant of yore, who seldom had anything but giants, enchanters, fiery230 dragons, and such like easily conquered adversaries231, to contend with and had to make his way merely through gates of iron and brass232, and walls of adamant233 to the castle keep, where the lady of his heart was confined; all which he achieved as easily as a man would carve his way to the centre of a Christmas pie; and then the lady gave him her hand as a matter of course. Ichabod, on the contrary, had to win his way to the heart of a country coquette, beset with a labyrinth234 of whims235 and caprices, which were forever presenting new difficulties and impediments; and he had to encounter a host of fearful adversaries of real flesh and blood, the numerous rustic admirers, who beset every portal to her heart, keeping a watchful236 and angry eye upon each other, but ready to fly out in the common cause against any new competitor.
Among these, the most formidable was a burly, roaring, roystering blade, of the name of Abraham, or, according to the Dutch abbreviation, Brom Van Brunt, the hero of the country round, which rang with his feats237 of strength and hardihood. He was broad-shouldered and double-jointed, with short curly black hair, and a bluff238 but not unpleasant countenance239, having a mingled air of fun and arrogance240. From his Herculean frame and great powers of limb he had received the nickname of BROM BONES, by which he was universally known. He was famed for great knowledge and skill in horsemanship, being as dexterous241 on horseback as a Tartar. He was foremost at all races and cock fights; and, with the ascendancy242 which bodily strength always acquires in rustic life, was the umpire in all disputes, setting his hat on one side, and giving his decisions with an air and tone that admitted of no gainsay243 or appeal. He was always ready for either a fight or a frolic; but had more mischief244 than ill-will in his composition; and with all his overbearing roughness, there was a strong dash of waggish245 good humor at bottom. He had three or four boon246 companions, who regarded him as their model, and at the head of whom he scoured247 the country, attending every scene of feud248 or merriment for miles round. In cold weather he was distinguished249 by a fur cap, surmounted250 with a flaunting251 fox’s tail; and when the folks at a country gathering descried252 this well-known crest253 at a distance, whisking about among a squad181 of hard riders, they always stood by for a squall. Sometimes his crew would be heard dashing along past the farmhouses at midnight, with whoop254 and halloo, like a troop of Don Cossacks; and the old dames, startled out of their sleep, would listen for a moment till the hurry-scurry had clattered256 by, and then exclaim, “Ay, there goes Brom Bones and his gang!” The neighbors looked upon him with a mixture of awe, admiration257, and good-will; and, when any madcap prank258 or rustic brawl259 occurred in the vicinity, always shook their heads, and warranted Brom Bones was at the bottom of it.
This rantipole hero had for some time singled out the blooming Katrina for the object of his uncouth gallantries, and though his amorous261 toyings were something like the gentle caresses262 and endearments263 of a bear, yet it was whispered that she did not altogether discourage his hopes. Certain it is, his advances were signals for rival candidates to retire, who felt no inclination264 to cross a lion in his amours; insomuch, that when his horse was seen tied to Van Tassel’s paling, on a Sunday night, a sure sign that his master was courting, or, as it is termed, “sparking,” within, all other suitors passed by in despair, and carried the war into other quarters.
Such was the formidable rival with whom Ichabod Crane had to contend, and, considering all things, a stouter265 man than he would have shrunk from the competition, and a wiser man would have despaired. He had, however, a happy mixture of pliability266 and perseverance267 in his nature; he was in form and spirit like a supple-jack—yielding, but tough; though he bent268, he never broke; and though he bowed beneath the slightest pressure, yet, the moment it was away—jerk!—he was as erect269, and carried his head as high as ever.
To have taken the field openly against his rival would have been madness; for he was not a man to be thwarted270 in his amours, any more than that stormy lover, Achilles. Ichabod, therefore, made his advances in a quiet and gently insinuating271 manner. Under cover of his character of singing-master, he made frequent visits at the farmhouse; not that he had anything to apprehend272 from the meddlesome273 interference of parents, which is so often a stumbling-block in the path of lovers. Balt Van Tassel was an easy indulgent soul; he loved his daughter better even than his pipe, and, like a reasonable man and an excellent father, let her have her way in everything. His notable little wife, too, had enough to do to attend to her housekeeping and manage her poultry274; for, as she sagely275 observed, ducks and geese are foolish things, and must be looked after, but girls can take care of themselves. Thus, while the busy dame178 bustled276 about the house, or plied278 her spinning-wheel at one end of the piazza, honest Balt would sit smoking his evening pipe at the other, watching the achievements of a little wooden warrior, who, armed with a sword in each hand, was most valiantly279 fighting the wind on the pinnacle280 of the barn. In the mean time, Ichabod would carry on his suit with the daughter by the side of the spring under the great elm, or sauntering along in the twilight, that hour so favorable to the lover’s eloquence281.
I profess282 not to know how women’s hearts are wooed and won. To me they have always been matters of riddle283 and admiration. Some seem to have but one vulnerable point, or door of access; while others have a thousand avenues, and may be captured in a thousand different ways. It is a great triumph of skill to gain the former, but a still greater proof of generalship to maintain possession of the latter, for man must battle for his fortress284 at every door and window. He who wins a thousand common hearts is therefore entitled to some renown285; but he who keeps undisputed sway over the heart of a coquette is indeed a hero. Certain it is, this was not the case with the redoubtable286 Brom Bones; and from the moment Ichabod Crane made his advances, the interests of the former evidently declined: his horse was no longer seen tied to the palings on Sunday nights, and a deadly feud gradually arose between him and the preceptor of Sleepy Hollow.
Brom, who had a degree of rough chivalry287 in his nature, would fain have carried matters to open warfare288 and have settled their pretensions289 to the lady, according to the mode of those most concise290 and simple reasoners, the knights-errant of yore,—by single combat; but Ichabod was too conscious of the superior might of his adversary291 to enter the lists against him; he had overheard a boast of Bones, that he would “double the schoolmaster up, and lay him on a shelf of his own schoolhouse;” and he was too wary292 to give him an opportunity. There was something extremely provoking in this obstinately293 pacific system; it left Brom no alternative but to draw upon the funds of rustic waggery in his disposition294, and to play off boorish295 practical jokes upon his rival. Ichabod became the object of whimsical persecution296 to Bones and his gang of rough riders. They harried297 his hitherto peaceful domains; smoked out his singing school by stopping up the chimney; broke into the schoolhouse at night, in spite of its formidable fastenings of withe and window stakes, and turned everything topsy-turvy, so that the poor schoolmaster began to think all the witches in the country held their meetings there. But what was still more annoying, Brom took all opportunities of turning him into ridicule298 in presence of his mistress, and had a scoundrel dog whom he taught to whine299 in the most ludicrous manner, and introduced as a rival of Ichabod’s, to instruct her in psalmody.
In this way matters went on for some time, without producing any material effect on the relative situations of the contending powers. On a fine autumnal afternoon, Ichabod, in pensive300 mood, sat enthroned on the lofty stool from whence he usually watched all the concerns of his little literary realm. In his hand he swayed a ferule, that sceptre of despotic power; the birch of justice reposed301 on three nails behind the throne, a constant terror to evil doers, while on the desk before him might be seen sundry302 contraband303 articles and prohibited weapons, detected upon the persons of idle urchins304, such as half-munched apples, popguns, whirligigs, fly-cages, and whole legions of rampant305 little paper gamecocks. Apparently306 there had been some appalling act of justice recently inflicted, for his scholars were all busily intent upon their books, or slyly whispering behind them with one eye kept upon the master; and a kind of buzzing stillness reigned307 throughout the schoolroom. It was suddenly interrupted by the appearance of a negro in tow-cloth jacket and trowsers, a round-crowned fragment of a hat, like the cap of Mercury, and mounted on the back of a ragged308, wild, half-broken colt, which he managed with a rope by way of halter. He came clattering309 up to the school door with an invitation to Ichabod to attend a merry-making or “quilting frolic,” to be held that evening at Mynheer Van Tassel’s; and having delivered his message with that air of importance, and effort at fine language, which a negro is apt to display on petty embassies of the kind, he dashed over the brook, and was seen scampering310 away up the hollow, full of the importance and hurry of his mission.
All was now bustle277 and hubbub311 in the late quiet schoolroom. The scholars were hurried through their lessons without stopping at trifles; those who were nimble skipped over half with impunity312, and those who were tardy had a smart application now and then in the rear, to quicken their speed or help them over a tall word. Books were flung aside without being put away on the shelves, inkstands were overturned, benches thrown down, and the whole school was turned loose an hour before the usual time, bursting forth like a legion of young imps313, yelping314 and racketing about the green in joy at their early emancipation315.
The gallant Ichabod now spent at least an extra half hour at his toilet, brushing and furbishing up his best, and indeed only suit of rusty316 black, and arranging his locks by a bit of broken looking-glass that hung up in the schoolhouse. That he might make his appearance before his mistress in the true style of a cavalier, he borrowed a horse from the farmer with whom he was domiciliated, a choleric317 old Dutchman of the name of Hans Van Ripper, and, thus gallantly318 mounted, issued forth like a knight-errant in quest of adventures. But it is meet I should, in the true spirit of romantic story, give some account of the looks and equipments of my hero and his steed. The animal he bestrode was a broken-down plow-horse, that had outlived almost everything but its viciousness. He was gaunt and shagged, with a ewe neck, and a head like a hammer; his rusty mane and tail were tangled319 and knotted with burs; one eye had lost its pupil, and was glaring and spectral320, but the other had the gleam of a genuine devil in it. Still he must have had fire and mettle321 in his day, if we may judge from the name he bore of Gunpowder322. He had, in fact, been a favorite steed of his master’s, the choleric Van Ripper, who was a furious rider, and had infused, very probably, some of his own spirit into the animal; for, old and broken-down as he looked, there was more of the lurking323 devil in him than in any young filly in the country.
Ichabod was a suitable figure for such a steed. He rode with short stirrups, which brought his knees nearly up to the pommel of the saddle; his sharp elbows stuck out like grasshoppers’; he carried his whip perpendicularly324 in his hand, like a sceptre, and as his horse jogged on, the motion of his arms was not unlike the flapping of a pair of wings. A small wool hat rested on the top of his nose, for so his scanty325 strip of forehead might be called, and the skirts of his black coat fluttered out almost to the horses tail. Such was the appearance of Ichabod and his steed as they shambled out of the gate of Hans Van Ripper, and it was altogether such an apparition as is seldom to be met with in broad daylight.
It was, as I have said, a fine autumnal day; the sky was clear and serene327, and nature wore that rich and golden livery which we always associate with the idea of abundance. The forests had put on their sober brown and yellow, while some trees of the tenderer kind had been nipped by the frosts into brilliant dyes of orange, purple, and scarlet328. Streaming files of wild ducks began to make their appearance high in the air; the bark of the squirrel might be heard from the groves329 of beech330 and hickory-nuts, and the pensive whistle of the quail at intervals331 from the neighboring stubble field.
The small birds were taking their farewell banquets. In the fullness of their revelry, they fluttered, chirping334 and frolicking from bush to bush, and tree to tree, capricious from the very profusion336 and variety around them. There was the honest cock robin337, the favorite game of stripling sportsmen, with its loud querulous note; and the twittering blackbirds flying in sable338 clouds; and the golden-winged woodpecker with his crimson339 crest, his broad black gorget, and splendid plumage; and the cedar340 bird, with its red-tipt wings and yellow-tipt tail and its little monteiro cap of feathers; and the blue jay, that noisy coxcomb341, in his gay light blue coat and white underclothes, screaming and chattering342, nodding and bobbing and bowing, and pretending to be on good terms with every songster of the grove.
As Ichabod jogged slowly on his way, his eye, ever open to every symptom of culinary abundance, ranged with delight over the treasures of jolly autumn. On all sides he beheld vast store of apples; some hanging in oppressive opulence343 on the trees; some gathered into baskets and barrels for the market; others heaped up in rich piles for the cider-press. Farther on he beheld great fields of Indian corn, with its golden ears peeping from their leafy coverts344, and holding out the promise of cakes and hasty-pudding; and the yellow pumpkins345 lying beneath them, turning up their fair round bellies347 to the sun, and giving ample prospects348 of the most luxurious of pies; and anon he passed the fragrant349 buckwheat fields breathing the odor of the beehive, and as he beheld them, soft anticipations350 stole over his mind of dainty slapjacks, well buttered, and garnished351 with honey or treacle352, by the delicate little dimpled hand of Katrina Van Tassel.
Thus feeding his mind with many sweet thoughts and “sugared suppositions,” he journeyed along the sides of a range of hills which look out upon some of the goodliest scenes of the mighty353 Hudson. The sun gradually wheeled his broad disk down in the west. The wide bosom of the Tappan Zee lay motionless and glassy, excepting that here and there a gentle undulation waved and prolonged the blue shadow of the distant mountain. A few amber147 clouds floated in the sky, without a breath of air to move them. The horizon was of a fine golden tint354, changing gradually into a pure apple green, and from that into the deep blue of the mid-heaven. A slanting355 ray lingered on the woody crests356 of the precipices357 that overhung some parts of the river, giving greater depth to the dark gray and purple of their rocky sides. A sloop358 was loitering in the distance, dropping slowly down with the tide, her sail hanging uselessly against the mast; and as the reflection of the sky gleamed along the still water, it seemed as if the vessel359 was suspended in the air.
It was toward evening that Ichabod arrived at the castle of the Heer Van Tassel, which he found thronged360 with the pride and flower of the adjacent country. Old farmers, a spare leathern-faced race, in homespun coats and breeches, blue stockings, huge shoes, and magnificent pewter buckles362. Their brisk, withered363 little dames, in close-crimped caps, long-waisted short gowns, homespun petticoats, with scissors and pincushions, and gay calico pockets hanging on the outside. Buxom364 lasses, almost as antiquated365 as their mothers, excepting where a straw hat, a fine ribbon, or perhaps a white frock, gave symptoms of city innovation. The sons, in short square-skirted coats, with rows of stupendous brass buttons, and their hair generally queued in the fashion of the times, especially if they could procure366 an eel-skin for the purpose, it being esteemed throughout the country as a potent81 nourisher and strengthener of the hair.
Brom Bones, however, was the hero of the scene, having come to the gathering on his favorite steed Daredevil, a creature, like himself, full of mettle and mischief, and which no one but himself could manage. He was, in fact, noted for preferring vicious animals, given to all kinds of tricks which kept the rider in constant risk of his neck, for he held a tractable367, well-broken horse as unworthy of a lad of spirit.
Fain would I pause to dwell upon the world of charms that burst upon the enraptured gaze of my hero, as he entered the state parlor of Van Tassel’s mansion. Not those of the bevy of buxom lasses, with their luxurious display of red and white; but the ample charms of a genuine Dutch country tea-table, in the sumptuous time of autumn. Such heaped up platters of cakes of various and almost indescribable kinds, known only to experienced Dutch housewives! There was the doughty368 doughnut, the tender oly koek, and the crisp and crumbling369 cruller; sweet cakes and short cakes, ginger370 cakes and honey cakes, and the whole family of cakes. And then there were apple pies, and peach pies, and pumpkin346 pies; besides slices of ham and smoked beef; and moreover delectable371 dishes of preserved plums, and peaches, and pears, and quinces; not to mention broiled372 shad and roasted chickens; together with bowls of milk and cream, all mingled higgledy-piggledy, pretty much as I have enumerated373 them, with the motherly teapot sending up its clouds of vapor374 from the midst—Heaven bless the mark! I want breath and time to discuss this banquet as it deserves, and am too eager to get on with my story. Happily, Ichabod Crane was not in so great a hurry as his historian, but did ample justice to every dainty.
He was a kind and thankful creature, whose heart dilated375 in proportion as his skin was filled with good cheer, and whose spirits rose with eating, as some men’s do with drink. He could not help, too, rolling his large eyes round him as he ate, and chuckling376 with the possibility that he might one day be lord of all this scene of almost unimaginable luxury and splendor377. Then, he thought, how soon he’d turn his back upon the old schoolhouse; snap his fingers in the face of Hans Van Ripper, and every other niggardly378 patron, and kick any itinerant pedagogue out of doors that should dare to call him comrade!
Old Baltus Van Tassel moved about among his guests with a face dilated with content and good humor, round and jolly as the harvest moon. His hospitable379 attentions were brief, but expressive380, being confined to a shake of the hand, a slap on the shoulder, a loud laugh, and a pressing invitation to “fall to, and help themselves.”
And now the sound of the music from the common room, or hall, summoned to the dance. The musician was an old gray-headed negro, who had been the itinerant orchestra of the neighborhood for more than half a century. His instrument was as old and battered381 as himself. The greater part of the time he scraped on two or three strings, accompanying every movement of the bow with a motion of the head; bowing almost to the ground, and stamping with his foot whenever a fresh couple were to start.
Ichabod prided himself upon his dancing as much as upon his vocal382 powers. Not a limb, not a fibre about him was idle; and to have seen his loosely hung frame in full motion, and clattering about the room, you would have thought St. Vitus himself, that blessed patron of the dance, was figuring before you in person. He was the admiration of all the negroes; who, having gathered, of all ages and sizes, from the farm and the neighborhood, stood forming a pyramid of shining black faces at every door and window, gazing with delight at the scene, rolling their white eyeballs, and showing grinning rows of ivory from ear to ear. How could the flogger of urchins be otherwise than animated383 and joyous384? The lady of his heart was his partner in the dance, and smiling graciously in reply to all his amorous oglings; while Brom Bones, sorely smitten385 with love and jealousy386, sat brooding by himself in one corner.
When the dance was at an end, Ichabod was attracted to a knot of the sager387 folks, who, with Old Van Tassel, sat smoking at one end of the piazza, gossiping over former times, and drawing out long stories about the war.
This neighborhood, at the time of which I am speaking, was one of those highly favored places which abound35 with chronicle and great men. The British and American line had run near it during the war; it had, therefore, been the scene of marauding and infested388 with refugees, cowboys, and all kinds of border chivalry. Just sufficient time had elapsed to enable each storyteller to dress up his tale with a little becoming fiction, and, in the indistinctness of his recollection, to make himself the hero of every exploit.
There was the story of Doffue Martling, a large blue-bearded Dutchman, who had nearly taken a British frigate389 with an old iron nine-pounder from a mud breastwork, only that his gun burst at the sixth discharge. And there was an old gentleman who shall be nameless, being too rich a mynheer to be lightly mentioned, who, in the battle of White Plains, being an excellent master of defence, parried a musket-ball with a small sword, insomuch that he absolutely felt it whiz round the blade, and glance off at the hilt; in proof of which he was ready at any time to show the sword, with the hilt a little bent. There were several more that had been equally great in the field, not one of whom but was persuaded that he had a considerable hand in bringing the war to a happy termination.
But all these were nothing to the tales of ghosts and apparitions that succeeded. The neighborhood is rich in legendary treasures of the kind. Local tales and superstitions thrive best in these sheltered, long-settled retreats; but are trampled390 under foot by the shifting throng361 that forms the population of most of our country places. Besides, there is no encouragement for ghosts in most of our villages, for they have scarcely had time to finish their first nap and turn themselves in their graves, before their surviving friends have travelled away from the neighborhood; so that when they turn out at night to walk their rounds, they have no acquaintance left to call upon. This is perhaps the reason why we so seldom hear of ghosts except in our long-established Dutch communities.
The immediate392 cause, however, of the prevalence of supernatural stories in these parts, was doubtless owing to the vicinity of Sleepy Hollow. There was a contagion393 in the very air that blew from that haunted region; it breathed forth an atmosphere of dreams and fancies infecting all the land. Several of the Sleepy Hollow people were present at Van Tassel’s, and, as usual, were doling394 out their wild and wonderful legends. Many dismal395 tales were told about funeral trains, and mourning cries and wailings heard and seen about the great tree where the unfortunate Major André was taken, and which stood in the neighborhood. Some mention was made also of the woman in white, that haunted the dark glen at Raven396 Rock, and was often heard to shriek397 on winter nights before a storm, having perished there in the snow. The chief part of the stories, however, turned upon the favorite spectre of Sleepy Hollow, the Headless Horseman, who had been heard several times of late, patrolling the country; and, it was said, tethered his horse nightly among the graves in the churchyard.
The sequestered situation of this church seems always to have made it a favorite haunt of troubled spirits. It stands on a knoll398, surrounded by locust-trees and lofty elms, from among which its decent, whitewashed399 walls shine modestly forth, like Christian400 purity beaming through the shades of retirement401. A gentle slope descends402 from it to a silver sheet of water, bordered by high trees, between which, peeps may be caught at the blue hills of the Hudson. To look upon its grass-grown yard, where the sunbeams seem to sleep so quietly, one would think that there at least the dead might rest in peace. On one side of the church extends a wide woody dell, along which raves391 a large brook among broken rocks and trunks of fallen trees. Over a deep black part of the stream, not far from the church, was formerly403 thrown a wooden bridge; the road that led to it, and the bridge itself, were thickly shaded by overhanging trees, which cast a gloom about it, even in the daytime; but occasioned a fearful darkness at night. Such was one of the favorite haunts of the Headless Horseman, and the place where he was most frequently encountered. The tale was told of old Brouwer, a most heretical disbeliever in ghosts, how he met the Horseman returning from his foray into Sleepy Hollow, and was obliged to get up behind him; how they galloped404 over bush and brake, over hill and swamp, until they reached the bridge; when the Horseman suddenly turned into a skeleton, threw old Brouwer into the brook, and sprang away over the tree-tops with a clap of thunder.
This story was immediately matched by a thrice marvellous adventure of Brom Bones, who made light of the Galloping Hessian as an arrant260 jockey. He affirmed that on returning one night from the neighboring village of Sing Sing, he had been overtaken by this midnight trooper; that he had offered to race with him for a bowl of punch, and should have won it too, for Daredevil beat the goblin horse all hollow, but just as they came to the church bridge, the Hessian bolted, and vanished in a flash of fire.
All these tales, told in that drowsy undertone with which men talk in the dark, the countenances405 of the listeners only now and then receiving a casual gleam from the glare of a pipe, sank deep in the mind of Ichabod. He repaid them in kind with large extracts from his invaluable406 author, Cotton Mather, and added many marvellous events that had taken place in his native State of Connecticut, and fearful sights which he had seen in his nightly walks about Sleepy Hollow.
The revel333 now gradually broke up. The old farmers gathered together their families in their wagons407, and were heard for some time rattling408 along the hollow roads, and over the distant hills. Some of the damsels mounted on pillions behind their favorite swains, and their light-hearted laughter, mingling409 with the clatter255 of hoofs410, echoed along the silent woodlands, sounding fainter and fainter, until they gradually died away,—and the late scene of noise and frolic was all silent and deserted411. Ichabod only lingered behind, according to the custom of country lovers, to have a tête-à-tête with the heiress; fully103 convinced that he was now on the high road to success. What passed at this interview I will not pretend to say, for in fact I do not know. Something, however, I fear me, must have gone wrong, for he certainly sallied forth, after no very great interval332, with an air quite desolate412 and chapfallen. Oh, these women! these women! Could that girl have been playing off any of her coquettish tricks? Was her encouragement of the poor pedagogue all a mere sham326 to secure her conquest of his rival? Heaven only knows, not I! Let it suffice to say, Ichabod stole forth with the air of one who had been sacking a henroost, rather than a fair lady’s heart. Without looking to the right or left to notice the scene of rural wealth, on which he had so often gloated, he went straight to the stable, and with several hearty cuffs413 and kicks roused his steed most uncourteously from the comfortable quarters in which he was soundly sleeping, dreaming of mountains of corn and oats, and whole valleys of timothy and clover.
It was the very witching time of night that Ichabod, heavy-hearted and crestfallen414, pursued his travels homewards, along the sides of the lofty hills which rise above Tarry Town, and which he had traversed so cheerily in the afternoon. The hour was as dismal as himself. Far below him the Tappan Zee spread its dusky and indistinct waste of waters, with here and there the tall mast of a sloop, riding quietly at anchor under the land. In the dead hush415 of midnight, he could even hear the barking of the watchdog from the opposite shore of the Hudson; but it was so vague and faint as only to give an idea of his distance from this faithful companion of man. Now and then, too, the long-drawn crowing of a cock, accidentally awakened416, would sound far, far off, from some farmhouse away among the hills—but it was like a dreaming sound in his ear. No signs of life occurred near him, but occasionally the melancholy417 chirp335 of a cricket, or perhaps the guttural twang of a bullfrog from a neighboring marsh418, as if sleeping uncomfortably and turning suddenly in his bed.
All the stories of ghosts and goblins that he had heard in the afternoon now came crowding upon his recollection. The night grew darker and darker; the stars seemed to sink deeper in the sky, and driving clouds occasionally hid them from his sight. He had never felt so lonely and dismal. He was, moreover, approaching the very place where many of the scenes of the ghost stories had been laid. In the centre of the road stood an enormous tulip-tree, which towered like a giant above all the other trees of the neighborhood, and formed a kind of landmark419. Its limbs were gnarled and fantastic, large enough to form trunks for ordinary trees, twisting down almost to the earth, and rising again into the air. It was connected with the tragical420 story of the unfortunate André, who had been taken prisoner hard by; and was universally known by the name of Major André’s tree. The common people regarded it with a mixture of respect and superstition, partly out of sympathy for the fate of its ill-starred namesake, and partly from the tales of strange sights, and doleful lamentations, told concerning it.
As Ichabod approached this fearful tree, he began to whistle; he thought his whistle was answered; it was but a blast sweeping421 sharply through the dry branches. As he approached a little nearer, he thought he saw something white, hanging in the midst of the tree: he paused and ceased whistling but, on looking more narrowly, perceived that it was a place where the tree had been scathed422 by lightning, and the white wood laid bare. Suddenly he heard a groan—his teeth chattered423, and his knees smote424 against the saddle: it was but the rubbing of one huge bough425 upon another, as they were swayed about by the breeze. He passed the tree in safety, but new perils426 lay before him.
About two hundred yards from the tree, a small brook crossed the road, and ran into a marshy427 and thickly-wooded glen, known by the 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 chestnuts428, 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 André was captured, and under the covert of those chestnuts and vines were the sturdy yeomen concealed429 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 thump430; he summoned up, however, all his resolution, gave his horse half a score of kicks in the ribs431, and attempted to dash briskly across the bridge; but instead of starting forward, the perverse432 old animal made a lateral433 movement, and ran broadside against the fence. Ichabod, whose fears increased with the delay, jerked the reins434 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 plunge435 to the opposite side of the road into a thicket of brambles and alder168 bushes. The schoolmaster now bestowed436 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 margin437 of the brook, he beheld something huge, misshapen 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 stammering438 accents, “Who are you?” He received no reply. He repeated his demand in a still more agitated439 voice. Still there was no answer. Once more he cudgelled the sides of the inflexible440 Gunpowder, and, shutting his eyes, broke forth with involuntary fervor441 into a psalm tune132. Just then the shadowy object of alarm put itself in motion, and with a scramble442 and a 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 ascertained443. He appeared to be a horseman of large dimensions, and mounted on a black horse of powerful frame. He made no offer of molestation444 or sociability445, but kept aloof446 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 relish197 for this strange midnight companion, and bethought 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,—the other did the same. His heart began to sink within him; he endeavored to resume his psalm tune, but his parched447 tongue clove121 to the roof of his mouth, and he could not utter a stave. There was something in the moody448 and dogged silence of this pertinacious449 companion that was mysterious and appalling. It was soon fearfully accounted for. On mounting a rising ground, which brought the figure of his fellow-traveller in relief against the sky, gigantic in height, and muffled450 in a cloak, Ichabod was horror-struck on perceiving that he was headless!—but his horror was still more increased on observing that the head, which should have rested on his shoulders, was carried before him on the pommel of his saddle! His terror rose to desperation; he rained a shower of kicks and blows upon Gunpowder, hoping by a sudden movement 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 flimsy garments fluttered in the air, as he stretched his long lank body away over his horse’s head, in the eagerness of his flight.
They had now reached the road which turns off to Sleepy Hollow; but Gunpowder, who seemed possessed451 with a demon452, instead of keeping up it, made an opposite turn, and plunged453 headlong downhill to the left. This road leads through a sandy hollow shaded by trees for about a quarter of a mile, where it crosses the bridge famous in goblin story; and just beyond swells454 the green knoll on which stands the whitewashed church.
As yet the panic of the steed had given his unskilful rider an apparent advantage in the chase, 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 pommel, and endeavored to hold it firm, 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 under foot by his pursuer. For a moment the terror of Hans Van Ripper’s wrath455 passed across his mind,—for it was his Sunday saddle; but this was no time for petty fears; the goblin was hard on his haunches; and (unskilful rider that he was!) he had much ado to maintain his seat; sometimes slipping on one side, sometimes on another, and sometimes jolted456 on the high ridge137 of his horse’s backbone457, with a violence that he verily feared would cleave458 him asunder459.
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 under the trees beyond. He recollected460 the place where Brom Bones’s ghostly competitor had disappeared. “If I can but reach that bridge,” thought Ichabod, “I am safe.” Just then he heard the black steed panting 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 resounding planks461; he gained the opposite side; and now Ichabod cast a look behind to see if his pursuer should vanish, according to rule, in a flash of fire and brimstone. Just then he saw the goblin rising in his stirrups, and in the very act of hurling462 his head at him. Ichabod endeavored to dodge463 the horrible missile, but too late. It encountered his cranium with a tremendous crash,—he was tumbled headlong into the dust, and Gunpowder, the black steed, and the goblin rider, passed by like a whirlwind.
The next morning the old horse was found without his saddle, and with the bridle464 under his feet, soberly cropping the grass at his master’s gate. Ichabod did not make his appearance at breakfast; dinner-hour came, but no Ichabod. The boys assembled at the schoolhouse, and strolled idly about the banks of the brook; but no schoolmaster. Hans Van Ripper now began to feel some uneasiness about the fate of poor Ichabod, and his saddle. An inquiry465 was set on foot, and after diligent466 investigation467 they came upon his traces. In one part of the road leading to the church was found the saddle trampled in the dirt; the tracks of horses’ hoofs deeply dented468 in the road, and evidently at furious speed, were traced to the bridge, beyond which, on the bank of a broad part of the brook, where the water ran deep and black, was found the hat of the unfortunate Ichabod, and close beside it a shattered pumpkin.
The brook was searched, but the body of the schoolmaster was not to be discovered. Hans Van Ripper as executor of his estate, examined the bundle which contained all his worldly effects. They consisted of two shirts and a half; two stocks for the neck; a pair or two of worsted stockings; an old pair of corduroy small-clothes; a rusty razor; a book of psalm tunes full of dog’s-ears; and a broken pitch-pipe. As to the books and furniture of the schoolhouse, they belonged to the community, excepting Cotton Mather’s “History of Witchcraft,” a “New England Almanac,” and a book of dreams and fortune-telling; in which last was a sheet of foolscap much scribbled469 and blotted470 in several fruitless attempts to make a copy of verses in honor of the heiress of Van Tassel. These magic books and the poetic471 scrawl472 were forthwith consigned473 to the flames by Hans Van Ripper; who, from that time forward, determined474 to send his children no more to school, observing that he never knew any good come of this same reading and writing. Whatever money the schoolmaster possessed, and he had received his quarter’s pay but a day or two before, he must have had about his person at the time of his disappearance475.
The mysterious event caused much speculation143 at the church on the following Sunday. Knots of gazers and gossips were collected in the churchyard, at the bridge, and at the spot where the hat and pumpkin had been found. The stories of Brouwer, of Bones, and a whole budget of others were called to mind; and when they had diligently476 considered them all, and compared them with the symptoms of the present case, they shook their heads, and came to the conclusion that Ichabod had been carried off by the Galloping Hessian. As he was a bachelor, and in nobody’s debt, nobody troubled his head any more about him; the school was removed to a different quarter of the hollow, and another pedagogue reigned in his stead.
It is true, an old farmer, who had been down to New York on a visit several years after, and from whom this account of the ghostly adventure was received, brought home the intelligence that Ichabod Crane was still alive; that he had left the neighborhood partly through fear of the goblin and Hans Van Ripper, and partly in mortification477 at having been suddenly dismissed by the heiress; that he had changed his quarters to a distant part of the country; had kept school and studied law at the same time; had been admitted to the bar; turned politician; electioneered; written for the newspapers; and finally had been made a justice of the Ten Pound Court. Brom Bones, too, who, shortly after his rival’s disappearance conducted the blooming Katrina in triumph to the altar, was observed to look exceedingly knowing whenever the story of Ichabod was related, and always burst into a hearty laugh at the mention of the pumpkin; which led some to suspect that he knew more about the matter than he chose to tell.
The old country wives, however, who are the best judges of these matters, maintain to this day that Ichabod was spirited away by supernatural means; and it is a favorite story often told about the neighborhood round the winter evening fire. The bridge became more than ever an object of superstitious478 awe; and that may be the reason why the road has been altered of late years, so as to approach the church by the border of the millpond. The schoolhouse being deserted soon fell to decay, and was reported to be haunted by the ghost of the unfortunate pedagogue and the plowboy, loitering homeward of a still summer evening, has often fancied his voice at a distance, chanting a melancholy psalm tune among the tranquil21 solitudes479 of Sleepy Hollow.
FOUND IN THE HANDWRITING OF MR. KNICKERBOCKER.
The preceding tale is given almost in the precise words in which I heard it related at a Corporation meeting at the ancient city of Manhattoes, at which were present many of its sagest481 and most illustrious burghers. The narrator was a pleasant, shabby, gentlemanly old fellow, in pepper-and-salt clothes, with a sadly humourous face, and one whom I strongly suspected of being poor--he made such efforts to be entertaining. When his story was concluded, there was much laughter and approbation482, particularly from two or three deputy aldermen, who had been asleep the greater part of the time. There was, however, one tall, dry-looking old gentleman, with beetling483 eyebrows484, who maintained a grave and rather severe face throughout, now and then folding his arms, inclining his head, and looking down upon the floor, as if turning a doubt over in his mind. He was one of your wary men, who never laugh but upon good grounds--when they have reason and law on their side. When the mirth of the rest of the company had subsided485, and silence was restored, he leaned one arm on the elbow of his chair, and sticking the other akimbo, demanded, with a slight, but exceedingly sage200 motion of the head, and contraction486 of the brow, what was the moral of the story, and what it went to prove?
The story-teller, who was just putting a glass of wine to his lips, as a refreshment487 after his toils488, paused for a moment, looked at his inquirer with an air of infinite deference489, and, lowering the glass slowly to the table, observed that the story was intended most logically to prove--
“That there is no situation in life but has its advantages and pleasures--provided we will but take a joke as we find it:
“That, therefore, he that runs races with goblin troopers is likely to have rough riding of it.
“Ergo, for a country schoolmaster to be refused the hand of a Dutch heiress is a certain step to high preferment in the state.”
The cautious old gentleman knit his brows tenfold closer after this explanation, being sorely puzzled by the ratiocination490 of the syllogism491, while, methought, the one in pepper-and-salt eyed him with something of a triumphant492 leer. At length he observed that all this was very well, but still he thought the story a little on the extravagant--there were one or two points on which he had his doubts.
“Faith, sir,” replied the story-teller, “as to that matter, I don’t believe one-half of it myself.” D. K.
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1
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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3
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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coves
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| n.小海湾( cove的名词复数 )；家伙 | |
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indent
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| n.订单，委托采购，国外商品订货单，代购订单 | |
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6
prudently
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| adv. 谨慎地，慎重地 | |
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implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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inveterate
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| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
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propensity
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| n.倾向；习性 | |
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tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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vouch
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| v.担保；断定；n.被担保者 | |
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12
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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13
advert
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| vi.注意，留意，言及；n.广告 | |
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14
authentic
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| a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的 | |
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brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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glides
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| n.滑行( glide的名词复数 )；滑音；音渡；过渡音v.滑动( glide的第三人称单数 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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17
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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18
lull
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| v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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20
quail
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| n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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23
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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24
hooting
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| （使）作汽笛声响，作汽车喇叭声( hoot的现在分词 )； 倒好儿； 倒彩 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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26
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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27
reverberated
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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28
distractions
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| n.使人分心的事[人]( distraction的名词复数 )；娱乐，消遣；心烦意乱；精神错乱 | |
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29
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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30
sequestered
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| adj.扣押的；隐退的；幽静的；偏僻的v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的过去式和过去分词 )；扣押 | |
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rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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32
pervade
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| v.弥漫，遍及，充满，渗透，漫延 | |
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33
con
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| n.反对的观点，反对者，反对票，肺病；vt.精读，学习，默记；adv.反对地，从反面；adj.欺诈的 | |
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34
abounds
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的第三人称单数 ) | |
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abound
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| vi.大量存在；(in，with)充满，富于 | |
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twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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superstitions
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| 迷信，迷信行为( superstition的名词复数 ) | |
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superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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gambols
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| v.蹦跳，跳跃，嬉戏( gambol的第三人称单数 ) | |
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41
dominant
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| adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因 | |
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42
enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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43
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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44
loom
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| n.织布机，织机；v.隐现，(危险、忧虑等)迫近 | |
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45
collating
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| v.校对( collate的现在分词 )；整理；核对；整理（文件或书等） | |
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46
allege
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| vt.宣称，申述，主张，断言 | |
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47
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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48
purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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49
legendary
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| adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学） | |
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50
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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51
imbibed
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| v.吸收( imbibe的过去式和过去分词 )；喝；吸取；吸气 | |
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52
inhale
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| v.吸入(气体等)，吸(烟) | |
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53
apparitions
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| n.特异景象( apparition的名词复数 )；幽灵；鬼；（特异景象等的）出现 | |
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54
laud
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| n.颂歌；v.赞美 | |
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55
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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56
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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57
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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58
migration
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| n.迁移，移居，（鸟类等的）迁徙 | |
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59
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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60
owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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61
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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62
mimic
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| v.模仿，戏弄；n.模仿他人言行的人 | |
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63
vegetating
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| v.过单调呆板的生活( vegetate的现在分词 )；植物似地生长；（瘤、疣等）长大 | |
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64
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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65
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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66
cognomen
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| n.姓；绰号 | |
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67
lank
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| adj.瘦削的；稀疏的 | |
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68
dangled
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| 悬吊着( dangle的过去式和过去分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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69
shovels
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| n.铲子( shovel的名词复数 )；锹；推土机、挖土机等的)铲；铲形部份v.铲子( shovel的第三人称单数 )；锹；推土机、挖土机等的)铲；铲形部份 | |
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70
shovel
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| n.铁锨，铲子，一铲之量；v.铲，铲出 | |
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71
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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72
glazed
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| adj.光滑的，像玻璃的；上过釉的；呆滞无神的v.装玻璃( glaze的过去式)；上釉于，上光；（目光）变得呆滞无神 | |
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73
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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74
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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75
conning
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| v.诈骗，哄骗( con的现在分词 )；指挥操舵( conn的现在分词 ) | |
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76
authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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77
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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78
tardy
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| adj.缓慢的，迟缓的 | |
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conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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maxim
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| n.格言，箴言 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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82
potentates
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| n.君主，统治者( potentate的名词复数 )；有权势的人 | |
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83
puny
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| adj.微不足道的，弱小的 | |
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84
winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
inflicting
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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86
urchin
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| n.顽童；海胆 | |
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87
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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88
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chastisement
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| n.惩罚 | |
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consolatory
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| adj.慰问的，可藉慰的 | |
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convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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94
behooved
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| v.适宜( behoove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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95
dilating
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| v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的现在分词 ) | |
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96
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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97
onerous
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| adj.繁重的 | |
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98
schooling
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| n.教育；正规学校教育 | |
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99
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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100
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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101
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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102
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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103
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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104
vocations
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| n.（认为特别适合自己的）职业( vocation的名词复数 )；使命；神召；（认为某种工作或生活方式特别适合自己的）信心 | |
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105
psalm
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| n.赞美诗，圣诗 | |
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106
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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107
legitimately
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| ad.合法地；正当地，合理地 | |
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108
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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109
divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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110
pedagogue
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| n.教师 | |
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111
accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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112
farmhouse
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| n.农场住宅（尤指主要住房） | |
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113
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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114
bevy
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| n.一群 | |
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115
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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116
itinerant
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| adj.巡回的；流动的 | |
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117
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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118
witchcraft
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| n.魔法，巫术 | |
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119
potently
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120
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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121
clove
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| n.丁香味 | |
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122
boding
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| adj.凶兆的，先兆的n.凶兆，前兆，预感v.预示，预告，预言( bode的现在分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
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123
toad
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆 | |
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124
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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125
screech
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| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
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126
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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127
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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128
vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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129
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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130
beetle
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| n.甲虫，近视眼的人 | |
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131
tunes
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| n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
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132
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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133
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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134
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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135
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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136
brooks
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| n.小溪( brook的名词复数 ) | |
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137
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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138
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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139
anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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140
omens
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| n.前兆，预兆( omen的名词复数 ) | |
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141
portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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142
speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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143
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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144
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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145
snugly
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| adv.紧贴地；贴身地；暖和舒适地；安适地 | |
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146
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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147
amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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148
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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149
appalled
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| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
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150
shrub
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| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
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151
curdling
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| n.凝化v.（使）凝结( curdle的现在分词 ) | |
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152
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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153
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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154
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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155
phantoms
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| n.鬼怪，幽灵( phantom的名词复数 ) | |
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156
disciples
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| n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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157
tassel
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| n.流苏，穗；v.抽穗， （玉米）长穗须 | |
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158
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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159
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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160
morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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161
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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162
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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163
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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164
piqued
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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165
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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166
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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167
babbled
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| v.喋喋不休( babble的过去式和过去分词 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密 | |
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168
alder
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| n.赤杨树 | |
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169
alders
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| n.桤木( alder的名词复数 ) | |
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170
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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171
willows
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| n.柳树( willow的名词复数 )；柳木 | |
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172
crevice
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| n.(岩石、墙等)裂缝；缺口 | |
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173
flail
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| v.用连枷打；击打；n.连枷（脱粒用的工具） | |
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174
resounding
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| adj. 响亮的 | |
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175
bosoms
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| 胸部( bosom的名词复数 )； 胸怀； 女衣胸部（或胸襟）； 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
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176
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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177
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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178
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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179
sleek
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| adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢 | |
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180
grunting
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| 咕哝的，呼噜的 | |
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181
squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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182
regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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183
fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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184
fretting
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| n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的 | |
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185
peevish
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| adj.易怒的，坏脾气的 | |
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186
strutted
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| 趾高气扬地走，高视阔步( strut的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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187
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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188
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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189
burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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190
sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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191
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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192
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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193
belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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194
gravy
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| n.肉汁；轻易得来的钱，外快 | |
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195
cosily
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| adv.舒适地，惬意地 | |
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196
relishing
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| v.欣赏( relish的现在分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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197
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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198
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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199
savory
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| adj.风味极佳的，可口的，味香的 | |
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200
sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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201
sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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202
craving
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| n.渴望,热望 | |
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203
chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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204
disdained
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| 鄙视( disdain的过去式和过去分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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205
enraptured
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| v.使狂喜( enrapture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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206
orchards
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| （通常指围起来的）果园( orchard的名词复数 ) | |
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207
tenement
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| n.公寓；房屋 | |
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208
yearned
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| 渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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209
domains
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| n.范围( domain的名词复数 )；领域；版图；地产 | |
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210
tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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211
shingle
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| n.木瓦板；小招牌(尤指医生或律师挂的营业招牌)；v.用木瓦板盖（屋顶）；把（女子头发）剪短 | |
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212
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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213
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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214
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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215
trumpery
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| n.无价值的杂物；adj.（物品）中看不中用的 | |
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216
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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217
farmhouses
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| n.农舍，农场的主要住房( farmhouse的名词复数 ) | |
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218
piazza
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| n.广场；走廊 | |
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219
flails
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| v.鞭打( flail的第三人称单数 )；用连枷脱粒；（臂或腿）无法控制地乱动；扫雷坦克 | |
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220
utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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221
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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222
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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223
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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224
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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225
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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226
tongs
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| n.钳；夹子 | |
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227
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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228
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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229
ostrich
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| n.鸵鸟 | |
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230
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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231
adversaries
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| n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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232
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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233
adamant
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| adj.坚硬的，固执的 | |
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234
labyrinth
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| n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路 | |
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235
WHIMS
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| 虚妄，禅病 | |
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236
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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237
feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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238
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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239
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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240
arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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241
dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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242
ascendancy
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| n.统治权，支配力量 | |
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243
gainsay
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| v.否认，反驳 | |
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244
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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245
waggish
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| adj.诙谐的，滑稽的 | |
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246
boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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247
scoured
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| 走遍（某地）搜寻（人或物）( scour的过去式和过去分词 )； （用力）刷； 擦净； 擦亮 | |
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248
feud
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| n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇 | |
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249
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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250
surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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251
flaunting
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| adj.招摇的，扬扬得意的，夸耀的v.炫耀，夸耀( flaunt的现在分词 )；有什么能耐就施展出来 | |
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252
descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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253
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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254
whoop
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| n.大叫，呐喊，喘息声；v.叫喊，喘息 | |
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255
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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256
clattered
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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257
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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258
prank
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| n.开玩笑，恶作剧；v.装饰；打扮；炫耀自己 | |
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259
brawl
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| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
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260
arrant
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| adj.极端的；最大的 | |
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261
amorous
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| adj.多情的；有关爱情的 | |
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262
caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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263
endearments
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| n.表示爱慕的话语，亲热的表示( endearment的名词复数 ) | |
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264
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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265
stouter
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| 粗壮的( stout的比较级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
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266
pliability
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| n.柔韧性；可弯性 | |
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267
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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268
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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269
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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270
thwarted
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| 阻挠( thwart的过去式和过去分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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271
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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272
apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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273
meddlesome
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| adj.爱管闲事的 | |
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274
poultry
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| n.家禽，禽肉 | |
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275
sagely
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| adv. 贤能地，贤明地 | |
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276
bustled
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| 闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 )； 催促 | |
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277
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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278
plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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279
valiantly
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|
| adv.勇敢地，英勇地；雄赳赳 | |
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280
pinnacle
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| n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰 | |
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281
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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282
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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283
riddle
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| n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜 | |
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284
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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285
renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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286
redoubtable
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| adj.可敬的；可怕的 | |
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287
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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288
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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289
pretensions
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| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
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290
concise
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| adj.简洁的，简明的 | |
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291
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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292
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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293
obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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294
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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295
boorish
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| adj.粗野的，乡巴佬的 | |
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296
persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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297
harried
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| v.使苦恼( harry的过去式和过去分词 )；不断烦扰；一再袭击；侵扰 | |
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298
ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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299
whine
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| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
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300
pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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301
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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302
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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303
contraband
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| n.违禁品，走私品 | |
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304
urchins
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| n.顽童( urchin的名词复数 )；淘气鬼；猬；海胆 | |
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305
rampant
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| adj.(植物)蔓生的；狂暴的，无约束的 | |
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306
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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307
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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308
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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309
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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310
scampering
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
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311
hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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312
impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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313
imps
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| n.（故事中的）小恶魔( imp的名词复数 )；小魔鬼；小淘气；顽童 | |
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314
yelping
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| v.发出短而尖的叫声( yelp的现在分词 ) | |
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315
emancipation
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| n.（从束缚、支配下）解放 | |
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316
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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317
choleric
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| adj.易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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318
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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319
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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320
spectral
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| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
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321
mettle
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| n.勇气，精神 | |
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322
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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323
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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324
perpendicularly
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| adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
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325
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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326
sham
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| n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的) | |
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327
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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328
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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329
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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330
beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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331
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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332
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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333
revel
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| vi.狂欢作乐，陶醉；n.作乐，狂欢 | |
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334
chirping
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| 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的现在分词 ) | |
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335
chirp
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| v.(尤指鸟)唧唧喳喳的叫 | |
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336
profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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337
robin
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| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
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338
sable
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| n.黑貂；adj.黑色的 | |
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339
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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340
cedar
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| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
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341
coxcomb
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| n.花花公子 | |
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342
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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343
opulence
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| n.财富，富裕 | |
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344
coverts
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| n.隐蔽的，不公开的，秘密的( covert的名词复数 )；复羽 | |
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345
pumpkins
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|
| n.南瓜( pumpkin的名词复数 )；南瓜的果肉，南瓜囊 | |
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346
pumpkin
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| n.南瓜 | |
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347
bellies
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|
| n.肚子( belly的名词复数 )；腹部；（物体的）圆形或凸起部份；腹部…形的 | |
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348
prospects
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|
| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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349
fragrant
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|
| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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350
anticipations
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|
| 预期( anticipation的名词复数 )； 预测； （信托财产收益的）预支； 预期的事物 | |
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351
garnished
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|
| v.给（上餐桌的食物）加装饰( garnish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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352
treacle
|
|
| n.糖蜜 | |
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353
mighty
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|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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354
tint
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|
| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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355
slanting
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| 倾斜的，歪斜的 | |
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356
crests
|
|
| v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的第三人称单数 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
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357
precipices
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|
| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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358
sloop
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|
| n.单桅帆船 | |
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359
vessel
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|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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360
thronged
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|
| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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361
throng
|
|
| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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362
buckles
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| 搭扣，扣环( buckle的名词复数 ) | |
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363
withered
|
|
| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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364
buxom
|
|
| adj.（妇女）丰满的，有健康美的 | |
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365
antiquated
|
|
| adj.陈旧的，过时的 | |
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366
procure
|
|
| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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367
tractable
|
|
| adj.易驾驭的；温顺的 | |
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368
doughty
|
|
| adj.勇猛的，坚强的 | |
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369
crumbling
|
|
| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
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370
ginger
|
|
| n.姜，精力，淡赤黄色；adj.淡赤黄色的；vt.使活泼，使有生气 | |
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371
delectable
|
|
| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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372
broiled
|
|
| a.烤过的 | |
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373
enumerated
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|
| v.列举，枚举，数( enumerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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374
vapor
|
|
| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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375
dilated
|
|
| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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376
chuckling
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|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
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377
splendor
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|
| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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378
niggardly
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|
| adj.吝啬的，很少的 | |
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379
hospitable
|
|
| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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380
expressive
|
|
| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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381
battered
|
|
| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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382
vocal
|
|
| adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目 | |
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383
animated
|
|
| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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384
joyous
|
|
| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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385
smitten
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|
| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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386
jealousy
|
|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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387
sager
|
|
| adj.贤明的，貌似聪明的( sage的比较级 ) | |
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388
infested
|
|
| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
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389
frigate
|
|
| n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰 | |
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390
trampled
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|
| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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391
raves
|
|
| n.狂欢晚会( rave的名词复数 )v.胡言乱语( rave的第三人称单数 )；愤怒地说；咆哮；痴心地说 | |
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392
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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393
contagion
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|
| n.(通过接触的疾病)传染；蔓延 | |
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394
doling
|
|
| 救济物( dole的现在分词 )； 失业救济金 | |
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395
dismal
|
|
| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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396
raven
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|
| n.渡鸟，乌鸦；adj.乌亮的 | |
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397
shriek
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|
| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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398
knoll
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|
| n.小山，小丘 | |
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399
whitewashed
|
|
| 粉饰，美化，掩饰( whitewash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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400
Christian
|
|
| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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401
retirement
|
|
| n.退休，退职 | |
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402
descends
|
|
| v.下来( descend的第三人称单数 )；下去；下降；下斜 | |
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403
formerly
|
|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
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404
galloped
|
|
| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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405
countenances
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|
| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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406
invaluable
|
|
| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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407
wagons
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|
| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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408
rattling
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|
| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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409
mingling
|
|
| adj.混合的 | |
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410
hoofs
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|
| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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411
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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412
desolate
|
|
| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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413
cuffs
|
|
| n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 ) | |
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414
crestfallen
|
|
| adj. 挫败的，失望的，沮丧的 | |
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415
hush
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|
| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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416
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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417
melancholy
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|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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418
marsh
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|
| n.沼泽，湿地 | |
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419
landmark
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|
| n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标 | |
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420
tragical
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|
| adj. 悲剧的, 悲剧性的 | |
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421
sweeping
|
|
| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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422
scathed
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|
| v.伤害，损害（尤指使之枯萎）( scathe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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423
chattered
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|
| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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424
smote
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|
| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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425
bough
|
|
| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
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426
perils
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|
| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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427
marshy
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|
| adj.沼泽的 | |
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428
chestnuts
|
|
| n.栗子( chestnut的名词复数 )；栗色；栗树；栗色马 | |
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429
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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430
thump
|
|
| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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431
ribs
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|
| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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432
perverse
|
|
| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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433
lateral
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|
| adj.侧面的，旁边的 | |
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434
reins
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|
| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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435
plunge
|
|
| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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436
bestowed
|
|
| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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437
margin
|
|
| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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438
stammering
|
|
| v.结巴地说出( stammer的现在分词 ) | |
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439
agitated
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|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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440
inflexible
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|
| adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的 | |
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441
fervor
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|
| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
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442
scramble
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|
| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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443
ascertained
|
|
| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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444
molestation
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|
| n.骚扰，干扰，调戏；折磨 | |
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445
sociability
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|
| n.好交际，社交性，善于交际 | |
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446
aloof
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|
| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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447
parched
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|
| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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448
moody
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|
| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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449
pertinacious
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|
| adj.顽固的 | |
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450
muffled
|
|
| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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451
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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452
demon
|
|
| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
参考例句： |
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453
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
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454
swells
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|
| 增强( swell的第三人称单数 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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455
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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456
jolted
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|
| （使）摇动， （使）震惊( jolt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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457
backbone
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|
| n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气 | |
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458
cleave
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|
| v．(clave；cleaved)粘着，粘住；坚持；依恋 | |
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459
asunder
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|
| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
参考例句： |
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460
recollected
|
|
| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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461
planks
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|
| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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462
hurling
|
|
| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
参考例句： |
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463
dodge
|
|
| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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464
bridle
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|
| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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465
inquiry
|
|
| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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466
diligent
|
|
| adj.勤勉的，勤奋的 | |
参考例句： |
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467
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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468
dented
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| v.使产生凹痕( dent的过去式和过去分词 )；损害；伤害；挫伤（信心、名誉等） | |
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469
scribbled
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| v.潦草的书写( scribble的过去式和过去分词 )；乱画；草草地写；匆匆记下 | |
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470
blotted
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| 涂污( blot的过去式和过去分词 )； （用吸墨纸）吸干 | |
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471
poetic
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| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
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472
scrawl
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| vt.潦草地书写；n.潦草的笔记，涂写 | |
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473
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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474
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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475
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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476
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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477
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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478
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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479
solitudes
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| n.独居( solitude的名词复数 )；孤独；荒僻的地方；人迹罕至的地方 | |
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480
postscript
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| n.附言，又及；(正文后的)补充说明 | |
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481
sagest
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| adj.贤明的，貌似聪明的( sage的最高级 ) | |
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482
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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483
beetling
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| adj.突出的，悬垂的v.快速移动( beetle的现在分词 ) | |
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484
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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485
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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486
contraction
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| n.缩略词，缩写式，害病 | |
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487
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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488
toils
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| 网 | |
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489
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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490
ratiocination
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| n.推理；推断 | |
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491
syllogism
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| n.演绎法，三段论法 | |
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492
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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