an old knapsack." "You cannot
stay here," answered the
old woman; "this is a robbers'
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 come 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 soldier smelled the
food, he said to the huntsman: "I cannot hold out any longer, I
shall seat myself at the table, and eat with them." "You will 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
you have no fear; well, you shall have some food, but after that you
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; "you 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 chief of the robbers was in the mood to humor
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: "Watch this, brother, and you shall see something
that will surprise you; 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 you are 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
in order 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: "You must go back again with me to see how they flutter 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: "Long life to you all." 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 as well.
"Brother Brightboots," 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. "Don't you know," he
replied, "that the King has for a long time been absent from his
kingdom, and that today he is returning, and every one is going
to meet him." "But where is the King 2" 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: "You are
a brave soldier, and have saved my life. You shall never again be
in want, I will take care of you. And if ever you would like to eat a
piece of roast meat, as good as that in the robber's house, come to
the royal kitchen. But if you would drink a health, you must first
ask my permission."
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