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The Romance of the Hudson, Part I, continued
ment the spectre rose in the saddle and threw his head at Ichabod. In another moment the school-master lay sprawling in the dust, and Gunpowder, pursuer, and the dreadful missile all passed like a whirlwind. A broken pumpkin was found at the spot the next morning. Shrewd people guessed that Brom was the "headless horseman" on that occasion. Ichabod was never heard of afterward, and Brom married Katrina.
On the western shore, opposite Tarrytown, may be seen a very long wharf, from which a road passes among the hills to the village of Tappan, near which André was executed; and near Tarrytown is a white marble monument on the spot where he was captured. The story of that arrest and execution we shall relate in our next paper. The long low headland that stretches out from the eastern shore and divides the Tappan Sea from the Haverstraw Bay is Croton Point — "Teller's Point" of the Revolution — and famous for its grapes and wine. The Kitchewan Indians, who owned it, had a castle near the neck, and a burying-place on the Van Cortlandt estate close by. In earlier times the belief was prevalent that the sachems buried there might be seen at night with their wives and sweethearts strolling among the woods and glens in the vicinity. Haunted Hollow, between the Van Cortlandt Manor-house and the point, was a favorite resort for these "walking sachems of Teller's Point." Off that point the British sloop of war Vulture lay after André had left her on his fatal errand to meet Arnold near Haverstraw.  The Headless Horseman — Sleepy Hollow.
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Books & articles appearing here are modified adaptations
from a private collection of vintage books & magazines. Reproduction of these pages is prohibited without written permission. © Laurel O'Donnell, 1996-2006.
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