In this way matters went on for some time, without producing any material effect on the relative situation of the contending powers. On a fine autumnal afternoon, Ichabod , in pensive mood, sat entronthed on the lofty stool whence he usually watched all the concerns of his little literary realm. In his hand he swayed a ferule, that scepter of despotic power; the birch of justice reposed on three nails, behind the throne, a constant terror to evil-doers; while on the desk before him might seen sundry contraband articles and prohibited weapons, detected upon the persons of idle urchins, such as half-munched apples,popguns,whirligigs,flycages, and whole legions of ramapant little paper gamecocks. Aparrarently there had been some appalling act of justice recently inflicted,for his scholars were all busily intent upon their books, or slyly whisperingbehind them with one eye kept upon the master; and a kind of buzzing stillness reigned throughtout the schoolroom.......