Less Pre-Intermediate 5-4

Ichabod’s hair rose upon 1



head with terror. What was to be done? It was now too late to turn and run; and besides, what chance was there of escaping a ghost or goblin, if such it was, which could ride upon the wings of the wind? Summoning up all of his courage, he said in a stammering voice, "Who are you?" He received 2



reply. He repeated his demand in a still more agitated voice. Still there was no answer. Once more he 3



the sides of his horse, and, shutting his eyes, broke into a religious song. Just then the shadowy object put itself in motion, and with a scramble and a bound stood at once in the middle of the road. Though the 4



was dark and dismal, yet the form of the unknown might now in some degree be ascertained. He appeared to be a large horseman mounted on a powerful black horse. He made no gesture of threat or greeting. Ichabod, who had no liking for this strange midnight companion now quickened his horse in hopes of 5



him behind. The stranger, 6



, quickened his horse to an equal pace. Ichabod pulled up, and fell into a walk, thinking to lag behind, but the other did the same. His heart began to sink within him; he tried to resume his song, but his dry tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth, and he could not utter a sound. There was something in the silence of his 7



that was mysterious and disturbing. 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 8



that he was headless! but his 9



increased on observing that the 10



, which should have rested on his shoulders, was carried before him on the pommel of his saddle!

Adapted from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving