"The Headless Horseman" Chapters 11-15

Chapter 11 "THE TRAVELLERS ON THE SAME ROAD"

100

Why was Cassius Calhoun angry at the beginning of the chapter?

He was angry because he had missed a perfect chance to shoot Maurice Gerald, the mustanger, from behind a tree. He was also frustrated that Henry Poindexter was going to apologize to Maurice instead of harming him.

200

What did Henry Poindexter decide to do, despite his cousin’s protests?

Henry decided to ride after Maurice Gerald and apologize for his rudeness, showing that he regretted his actions.

300

How many horsemen were on the prairie, and who were they?

There were three horsemen: the first left the hotel in Fort Inge, the second appeared later on the same road and hurried to overtake the first, and the third rode slowly from Fort Inge, carrying a short rifle under his red coat.

400

1. Say who:

• Had a Panama hat on his head and a cloak around his shoulders: 
• Called Henry an idiot: 
• Arrived at the door of the hut of the Mexican mustanger: 
• Was snoring: 
• Left Diaz’s hut with a new decision on his mind: 

1. Say who:

• Had a Panama hat on his head and a cloak around his shoulders: Henry Poindexter
• Called Henry an idiot: Cassius Calhoun
• Arrived at the door of the hut of the Mexican mustanger: Cassius Calhoun
• Was snoring: Miguel Diaz
• Left Diaz’s hut with a new decision on his mind: Cassius Calhoun

500

Describe the conversation between Calhoun and Henry. Prove that Henry Poindexter was polite but firm.

Henry and Calhoun had a heated conversation. Calhoun was frustrated and called Henry a fool and an idiot for not harming Maurice Gerald. Henry, however, remained calm and insisted on apologizing to Maurice, showing that he was polite yet firm in his decision. Despite his cousin's insults, he did not respond with anger but simply stated his intention and rode off.

Chapter 12 " A MAN MISSING"

100

What was wrong with Henry's horse?

The horse was wet, very excited, and had dark spots of blood on its shoulders.

200

Where did the search-party go?

They went to the Alamo to look for Henry and possibly Maurice.

300

Complete the sentence.

No one doubted that Henry Poindexter had been taken by the Indians because...

...he had no known enemies in Texas, and his disappearance seemed mysterious. 

400

Fill in the nouns from the text

1. Henry's horse was covered by small ____of blood.
2. The mustanger came up to the hotel's owner and asked for his ____.
3. A ____ to the Alamo passed through the opening in the woods.
4. The tracker discovered the _____ of two shod horses.

Fill in the nouns from the text

1. Henry's horse was covered by small spots of blood.
2. The mustanger came up to the hotel's owner and asked for his bill.
3. A path to the Alamo passed through the opening in the woods.
4. The tracker discovered the hoof marks of two shod horses.

500

Talk about the search-party. Say:

• Who took part in it?
• What did Spangler discover in the opening?
• Why did Major Ringwood decide to keep new facts a secret?

Talk about the search-party. Say:

• Who took part in it?
  • The search-party was led by Major Ringwood and included trackers like Spangler, as well as other men from the fort.
• What did Spangler discover in the opening?
  • He found hoof marks of two horses, a pool of blood, and cigar stumps. He concluded that the men had spent time together before a quarrel, which likely resulted in one of them being killed.
• Why did Major Ringwood decide to keep new facts a secret?
  • He didn’t want to cause panic or make wrong assumptions. He wanted to follow the hoof marks first and gather more information before telling the others.

Chapter 13 "THE MARKED BULLET"

100

Who shot the jaguar?

• 
  
  • Both Cassius Calhoun and a young planter fired their guns at the same time.

• 
  

200

What terrified the men in the forest?

• 
  
  • The men were terrified when they saw a mysterious headless horseman riding a horse against the golden background of the setting sun.

• 
  

300

What was Diaz's plan?

Diaz planned to kill Maurice Gerald in exchange for a thousand dollars from Calhoun and then return to the Rio Grande.

400

Fill in the gaps with the correct nouns:

1. The headless horseman was riding a horse of a large ____.
2. Calhoun's ____ had his initials on it.
3. The jaguar attacked the men by the ____.
4. There was a gigantic black ____ – a horseman without a head.
5. Most people thought it was a ____or a devil.

Fill in the gaps with the correct nouns:

1. The headless horseman was riding a horse of a large size.
2. Calhoun's bullet had his initials on it.
3. The jaguar attacked the men by the stream.
4. There was a gigantic black shape – a horseman without a head.
5. Most people thought it was a ghost or a devil.

500

Say why

1. Major Ringwood gave orders to move through the forest.

2. Spangler was puzzled when he saw zigzagging hoof marks.

3. Miguel Diaz went to the saloon early in the morning.

4. El Coyote refused to ride through the opening in the forest.

Say why

1. Major Ringwood gave orders to move through the forest.

   • He wanted to prevent Woodley Poindexter from seeing the blood of his son.

2. Spangler was puzzled when he saw zigzagging hoof marks.

   • The strange patterns suggested that either the horse was riderless or the rider was unconscious.

3. Miguel Diaz went to the saloon early in the morning.

   • He woke up thirsty, found his bottle empty, and wanted more alcohol.

4. El Coyote refused to ride through the opening in the forest.

   • He knew that their shod horses would leave tracks, making it obvious that they had passed that way.

Chapter 14 "FOUR COMANCHES"

100

What was the wounded young man wearing?

He was wearing a cloak and a Panama hat.

200

What did Phelim think when he saw the horseman without a head?

At first, he thought his master was playing a trick on him, but then he realized something was terribly wrong.

300

How did the Mexicans get inside the mustanger's hut?

El Coyote cut a hole in the skin door and moved aside the packages that barricaded it.

400

Fill in the gaps with the adjectives from the box:

(Adjectives: thirsty, wounded, running, faithful, striped)

1. The man wanted to reach the stream because he was ____.
2. The ___ leg caused the man much pain with every step.
3. After a while, he heard the sound of ____ water.
4. Even from a mile away, the ____ servant could recognize his master.
5. Gerald was the only man with a ______ serape.

Fill in the gaps with the adjectives from the box:

(Adjectives: thirsty, wounded, running, faithful, striped)

1. The man wanted to reach the stream because he was thirsty.
2. The wounded leg caused the man much pain with every step.
3. After a while, he heard the sound of running water.
4. Even from a mile away, the faithful servant could recognize his master.
5. Gerald was the only man with a striped serape.

500

Find in the text the English for:

• Что-то его задержало. →
• Сейчас так жарко, что можно жарить мясо на этих камнях. →
• Надеюсь, что он не простудился в этой гостинице. →
• Он хочет, чтобы мы с тобой удивились. →
• Может быть, нам никогда больше не представится такой случай. → 

Find in the text the English for:

• Что-то его задержало. → Something's keeping him.
• Сейчас так жарко, что можно жарить мясо на этих камнях. → It's hot enough to roast a steak on these stones.
• Надеюсь, что он не простудился в этой гостинице. → I hope he hasn't caught a cold in that hotel.
• Он хочет, чтобы мы с тобой удивились. → He's playing us a trick.
• Может быть, нам никогда больше не представится такой случай. → We may never have such a chance again.

Chapter 15 "THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN AGAIN"

100

What interrupted the card game of the Mexicans?

The card game was interrupted by the sudden cry of Phelim. He had just regained consciousness and was shocked to find himself in the hut surrounded by strangers.

200

What made Major Ringwood and his dragoons leave the camp?

Major Ringwood received a letter from the commanding officer, informing him that the Comanches had attacked a nearby village. He was ordered to take his men and assist in the operation against them.

300

Where did Calhoun go at dawn?

Calhoun left the camp early in the morning, taking advantage of the fact that the others were still asleep. He rode off into the forest, determined to search for the body of the murdered man. However, he was shocked to encounter the Headless Horseman again.

400

Fill in the gaps with the nouns from the box:
(dummy, trail, search, guilt, sorrow)

1. The men from the search-party thought the Headless Horseman could be a ____.

2. Spangler wanted to follow the ____ of the American horse.

3. It was decided to continue the ___ in the morning.

4. The major didn’t believe in the mustanger’s ___.

5. Everyone respected Poindexter’s ____.

Fill in the gaps with the nouns from the box:
(dummy, trail, search, guilt, sorrow)

1. The men from the search-party thought the Headless Horseman could be a dummy.

2. Spangler wanted to follow the trail of the American horse.

3. It was decided to continue the search in the morning.

4. The major didn’t believe in the mustanger’s guilt.

5. Everyone respected Poindexter’s sorrow.

500

Say why:

1. The Mexicans didn't touch Phelim.

2. The Mexicans let the horseman go and ran back to their horses.

3. The men in the camp were in low spirits.

4. The Headless Horseman frightened Calhoun so much.

Say why:

1. The Mexicans didn't touch Phelim.
   The Mexicans did not harm Phelim because they were focused on capturing the mustanger. Phelim was not a threat to them, so they ignored him.

2. The Mexicans let the horseman go and ran back to their horses.
   They ran away because they were terrified when they saw that the rider was headless. The sight of the Headless Horseman was so shocking that even brave men like them fled in fear.

3. The men in the camp were in low spirits.
   The men were still haunted by the terrifying sight of the Headless Horseman. The strange and inexplicable event left them feeling uneasy, and they could not shake off their fear.

4. The Headless Horseman frightened Calhoun so much.
   Calhoun was particularly frightened because he had seen the horse, the striped serape, and the figure itself—everything matched Maurice Gerald. The thought that the dead man had returned as a supernatural being horrified him.