ascertained. He appeared to be a horseman of large dimensions, and mounted on a black horse of powerful frame. He made no offer of molestation or sociability, but kept aloof on one side of the road. 11. Ichabod, who had no relish for this strange midnight companion, now quickened his steed in hopes of leaving him behind. The stranger 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 parched tongue clove to the roof of his mouth, and he could not utter a stave. There was something in the moody and dogged silence of this pertinacious companion that was mysterious and appalling. It was soon fearfully accounted for. On mounting a rising ground, which brought the figure of his fellow-traveler in relief against the sky, gigantic in height and muffled 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. 12. Away then they dashed, through thick and thin, stones flying and sparks flashing at every bound. 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. “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 planks; 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 hurling his head at him. Ichabod endeavored to dodge the horrible missile, but too late. It encoun tered 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. 13. The next morning the old horse was found without his saddle, and with the bridle under his feet, soberly cropping the grass at his master's gate, while near 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.- Irving's Sleepy Hollow. LESSON 70. THE BLUEBIRD. KNOW the song that the bluebird is singing, 2. Hark! how the music leaps out from his throat- Listen a while, and you'll hear what he's saying, 3. "Dear little blossoms, down under the snow, You must be weary of winter, I know; Hark while I sing you a message of cheer— 4. "Little white snowdrop! I pray you, arise; Put on your mantles of purple and gold: SPIRI LESSON 71. TO THE EVENING WIND. PIRIT that breathest through my lattice, thou That cool'st the twilight of the sultry day, Gratefully flows thy freshness round my brow; Thou hast been out upon the deep at play, Riding, all day, the wild blue waves till now, Roughening their crests, and scattering high their spray, And swelling the white sail. I welcome thee 2. Nor I alone, a thousand bosoms round Inhale thee in the fullness of delight; |