Large Fierce Mammal

Ichabod Crane’s last ride. (Click image to enlarge) Source: https://www.history.com/news/legend-sleepy-hollow-headless-horseman

“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. He saw the walls of the church dimly glaring under the trees beyond. He recollected the place where Brom Bones’s ghostly competitor had disappeared. “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 encountered 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.

“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. Ichabod did not make his appearance at breakfast; dinner-hour came, but no Ichabod. The boys assembled at the schoolhouse, and strolled idly about the banks of the brook; but no schoolmaster. Hans Van Ripper now began to feel some uneasiness about the fate of poor Ichabod, and his saddle. An inquiry was set on foot, and after diligent investigation they came upon his traces. In one part of the road leading to the church was found the saddle trampled in the dirt; the tracks of horses’ hoofs deeply dented in the road, and evidently at furious speed, were traced to 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.” ~ The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

I have written here before about how much I enjoy stories that skillfully include food and the eating of it as an intricately woven thread in the fabric of the narrative —

“The first time I read Lord of the Rings, I’m sure I was personally responsible for skyrocketing values of stocks for companies involved in the production of bacon, mushrooms, and dark, full bodied beers. I absolutely enjoy any literature that confronts me with a description of food consumed by the characters that leaves me wanting to devour whatever they’re having. Something like that happened recently while Mrs. LFM was reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, an espionage novel written by the late Stieg Larsson that is one of a trilogy set in Sweden. I haven’t yet read the book, but I have enjoyed watching the Swedish movie adaptation while snuggled with Mrs. LFM, and can tell you that it contains, what is for me, one of my top two attitude adjustment scenes. Go see it and let me know if you’re not sure which scene I mean.” ~ The Sandwich With the Dragon Tattoo

Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is just such a piece of work, as you will certainly know if you’ve read it, and if you haven’t then tonight’s feature will hopefully spur you, as it were, to join Ichabod Crane in at least one of the culinary delights on the bill of fare at his last meal before that famous ride to oblivion. Here is the prolific and ever so knowledgeable John Townsend to fuel you cravings.