TELL. Why, ’tis better than the first, But yet not good enough for such an aim As I’m to take--’tis heavy in the shaft; I’ll not shoot with it! (_Throws it away._) Let me see my quiver. Bring it! ’Tis not one arrow in a dozen I’d take to shoot with at a dove, much less A dove like that. GES. It matters not. Show him the quiver. TELL. See if the boy is ready. (_TELL here hides an arrow under his vest_.) VER. He is. TELL. I’m ready, too! Keep silent for Heaven’s sake and do not stir--and let me have Your prayers--your prayers--and be my witnesses That if his life’s in peril from my hand, ’Tis only for the chance of saving it. (_To the people._) GES. Go on. TELL. I will. O friends, for mercy’s sake, keep motionless And silent. (_TELL shoots; a shout of exultation bursts from the crowd. TELL’S head drops on his bosom; he with difficulty supports himself upon his bow._) VER. (_Rushing in with ALBERT._) Thy boy is safe, no hair of him is touched. ALB. Father, I’m safe! Your Albert’s safe, dear father,-- Speak to me! Speak to me! VER. He cannot, boy. ALB. You grant him life? GES. I do. ALB. And we are free? GES. You are. (Crossing angrily behind.) VER. Open his vest And give him air. (_ALBERT opens his father’s vest, and the arrow drops. TELL starts, fixes his eye upon ALBERT, and clasps him to his breast._) TELL. My boy! my boy! GES. For what Hid you that arrow in your breast? Speak, slave! TELL. To kill thee, tyrant, had I slain my boy! --SHERIDAN KNOWLES. THE SCHOOLMASTER OF SLEEPY HOLLOW I. HIS SCHOOL AND HIS FRIENDS custom vicinity scarecrow murmur uncouth adjacent appalling personage In a remote period of American history there lived in Sleepy Hollow a worthy man whose name was Ichabod Crane. He sojourned, or, as he expressed it, “tarried” in that quiet little valley for the purpose of instructing the children of the vicinity. He was tall, but very lank, with narrow shoulders, long arms and legs, hands that dangled a mile out of his sleeves, and feet that might have served as shovels. His head was small, with huge ears, large glassy eyes, and a long snipe nose. To see him striding along the crest of a hill on a windy day, with his ill-fitting clothes fluttering about him, one might have mistaken him for some scarecrow escaped from a cornfield.