บทที่ บทที่ 184 · The Boots of Buffalo-Leather

. The Boots of Buffalo-Leather

A soldier who is afraid of nothing, troubles himself about nothing. One

of this kind had received his discharge, and as he had learnt no trade

and could earn nothing, he travelled about and begged alms of kind

people. He had an old waterproof on his back, and a pair of

riding-boots of buffalo-leather which were still left to him. One day

he was walking he knew not where, straight out into the open country,

and at length came to a forest. He did not know where he was, but saw

sitting on the trunk of a tree, which had been cut down, a man who was

well dressed and wore a green shooting-coat. The soldier shook hands

with him, sat down on the grass by his side, and stretched out his

legs. “I see thou hast good boots on, which are well blacked,” said he

to the huntsman; “but if thou hadst to travel about as I have, they

would not last long. Look at mine, they are of buffalo-leather, and

have been worn for a long time, but in them I can go through thick and

thin.” After a while the soldier got up and said, “I can stay no

longer, hunger drives me onwards; but, Brother Bright-boots, where does

this road lead to?” “I don’t know that myself,” answered the huntsman,

“I have lost my way in the forest.” “Then thou art in the same plight

as I,” said the soldier; “birds of a feather flock together, let us

remain together, and seek our way.” The huntsman smiled a little, and

they walked on further and further, until night fell. “We do not get

out of the forest,” said the soldier, “but there in the distance I see

a light shining, which will help us to something to eat.” They found a

stone house, knocked at the door, and an old woman opened it. “We are

looking for quarters for the night,” said the soldier, “and some lining

for our stomachs, for mine is as empty as an old knapsack.” “You cannot

stay here,” answered the old woman; “this is a robber’s house, and you

would do wisely to get away before they come home, or you will be

lost.” “It won’t be so bad as that,” answered the soldier, “I have not

had a mouthful for two days, and whether I am murdered here or die of

hunger in the forest is all the same to me. I shall go in.” The

huntsman would not follow, but the soldier drew him in with him by the

sleeve. “Come, my dear brother, we shall not come to an end so quickly

as that!” The old woman had pity on them and said, “Creep in here

behind the stove, and if they leave anything, I will give it to you on

the sly when they are asleep.” Scarcely were they in the corner before

twelve robbers came bursting in, seated themselves at the table which

was already laid, and vehemently demanded some food. The old woman

brought in some great dishes of roast meat, and the robbers enjoyed

that thoroughly. When the smell of the food ascended the nostrils of

the soldier, he said to the huntsman, “I cannot hold out any longer, I

shall seat myself at the table, and eat with them.” “Thou wilt bring us

to destruction,” said the huntsman, and held him back by the arm. But

the soldier began to cough loudly. When the robbers heard that, they

threw away their knives and forks, leapt up, and discovered the two who

were behind the stove. “Aha, gentlemen, are you in the corner?” cried

they, “What are you doing here? Have you been sent as spies? Wait a

while, and you shall learn how to fly on a dry bough.” “But do be

civil,” said the soldier, “I am hungry, give me something to eat, and

then you can do what you like with me.” The robbers were astonished,

and the captain said, “I see that thou hast no fear; well, thou shalt

have some food, but after that thou must die.” “We shall see,” said the

soldier, and seated himself at the table, and began to cut away

valiantly at the roast meat. “Brother Brightboots, come and eat,” cried

he to the huntsman; “thou must be as hungry as I am, and cannot have

better roast meat at home,” but the huntsman would not eat. The robbers

looked at the soldier in astonishment, and said, “The rascal uses no

ceremony.” After a while he said, “I have had enough food, now get me

something good to drink.” The captain was in the mood to humour him in

this also, and called to the old woman, “Bring a bottle out of the

cellar, and mind it be of the best.” The soldier drew the cork out with

a loud noise, and then went with the bottle to the huntsman and said,

“Pay attention, brother, and thou shalt see something that will

surprise thee; I am now going to drink the health of the whole clan.”

Then he brandished the bottle over the heads of the robbers, and cried,

“Long life to you all, but with your mouths open and your right hands

lifted up,” and then he drank a hearty draught. Scarcely were the words

said than they all sat motionless as if made of stone, and their mouths

were open and their right hands stretched up in the air. The huntsman

said to the soldier, “I see that thou art acquainted with tricks of

another kind, but now come and let us go home.” “Oho, my dear brother,

but that would be marching away far too soon; we have conquered the

enemy, and must first take the booty. Those men there are sitting fast,

and are opening their mouths with astonishment, but they will not be

allowed to move until I permit them. Come, eat and drink.” The old

woman had to bring another bottle of the best wine, and the soldier

would not stir until he had eaten enough to last for three days. At

last when day came, he said, “Now it is time to strike our tents, and

that our march may be a short one, the old woman shall show us the

nearest way to the town.” When they had arrived there, he went to his

old comrades, and said, “Out in the forest I have found a nest full of

gallows’ birds, come with me and we will take it.” The soldier led

them, and said to the huntsman, “Thou must go back again with me to see

how they shake when we seize them by the feet.” He placed the men round

about the robbers, and then he took the bottle, drank a mouthful,

brandished it above them, and cried, “Live again.” Instantly they all

regained the power of movement, but were thrown down and bound hand and

foot with cords. Then the soldier ordered them to be thrown into a cart

as if they had been so many sacks, and said, “Now drive them straight

to prison.” The huntsman, however, took one of the men aside and gave

him another commission besides. “Brother Bright-boots,” said the

soldier, “we have safely routed the enemy and been well fed, now we

will quietly walk behind them as if we were stragglers!” When they

approached the town, the soldier saw a crowd of people pouring through

the gate of the town who were raising loud cries of joy, and waving

green boughs in the air. Then he saw that the entire body-guard was

coming up. “What can this mean?” said he to the huntsman. “Dost thou

not know?” he replied, “that the King has for a long time been absent

from his kingdom, and that to-day he is returning, and every one is

going to meet him.” “But where is the King?” said the soldier, “I do

not see him.” “Here he is,” answered the huntsman, “I am the King, and

have announced my arrival.” Then he opened his hunting-coat, and his

royal garments were visible. The soldier was alarmed, and fell on his

knees and begged him to forgive him for having in his ignorance treated

him as an equal, and spoken to him by such a name. But the King shook

hands with him, and said, “Thou art a brave soldier, and hast saved my

life. Thou shalt never again be in want, I will take care of thee. And

if ever thou wouldst like to eat a piece of roast meat, as good as that

in the robber’s house, come to the royal kitchen. But if thou wouldst

drink a health, thou must first ask my permission.”