The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a short story by Washington Irving, first published in 1820. It is part of his collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. and tells the tale of Ichabod Crane, a schoolteacher who competes for the love of Katrina Van Tassel with Brom Bones. During a party, Ichabod hears the story of the Headless Horseman, a ghostly soldier who searches for his lost head. After a terrifying chase, Ichabod disappears, leaving behind only his hat and a broken pumpkin, suggesting he fled in fear.