THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW. lOI 



of "■ The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." We are 

 told that 



'' 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 landmark. Its limbs were 

 gnarled and fantastic, large enough to form 

 trunks of other trees, twisting down almost to 

 the earth and rising again into the air. It was 

 connected with the tragical story of the unfort- 

 unate Andre, who had been taken prisoner 

 hard by, and was universally known by the 

 name of Major Andre's tree. . . . About 200 

 yards from the tree a small brook crossed the 

 road and ran into a marshy 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 chestnuts, matted 

 thick v/ith wild grape-vines, threw a cavernous 

 gloom over it. To pass this bridge was the 

 severest trial. It was at this identical spot 

 that the unfortunate Andre was captured, and, 

 under the covert of these chestnuts and pines 

 were the sturdy yeomen concealed who sur- 

 prised him. This has ever since been consid- 

 ered a haunted stream, and fearful are the feel- 

 ings of the schoolboy who has to pass it alone 

 after dark. . . Just at this moment a plashy 

 tramp by the side of the bridge caught the sen- 



