Final answer:
Ichabod doesn't immediately run away because he is both curious and scared. He first watches the figure, trying to figure out what it is, and then attempts to communicate with it. When he receives no response, he becomes more afraid and finally runs away.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to a scene from Washington Irving's story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." When Ichabod Crane sees something huge and black by the brook, he doesn't immediately run away because of his curiosity and fear. Fear keeps him frozen in place, and his curiosity drives him to investigate and understand what the figure might be.
Instead of running, the two things he does are: firstly, he watches the figure carefully in an attempt to discern what it might be, and secondly, he attempts to communicate with it, calling out, 'Who are you?' However, when the figure doesn't respond, his fear intensifies which eventually does drive him to flee.
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