Oldal 280 [280]
224 GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES,
" every evening I have potatoes ; have you a mind to be my
guest?"
“Many thanks, answered the traveller, " I will not deprive
you ; you did not expect a guest; but if you do not object,
you shall be the one to be invited.”
“ How can that be managed?” said the charcoal-burner; "1
see that you have nothing with you, and if you were to walk
two hours in any direction, you would meet with no one to
give you anything.”
‘For all that,” answered he, "there shall be a feast so
good, that you have never tasted the like.”
Then he took out the table-cloth from his knapsack, and
spreading it on the ground, said,
“Cloth, be covered,” and immediately there appeared
boiled and roast meat, quite hot, as if it had just come from
the kitchen. ‘The charcoal-burner stared, but did not stay to
be asked twice, and fell to, filling his black mouth with ever
bigger and bigger pieces, When they had finished eating, the
charcoal-burner smiled, and said,
‘Look here, I approve of your table-cloth ; it would not
be a bad thing for me to have here in the wood, where the
cooking is not first-rate. I will strike a bargain with you.
There hangs a soldier's knapsack in the corner, which looks
old and unsightly, but it has wonderful qualities ; as I have no
further occasion for it, I will give it to you in exchange for
the table-cloth.”
“ First, I must know what these wonderful qualities are,”
returned the other.
“T will tell you," answered the charcoal-burner ; “if you
strike it with your hand, there will appear a corporal and six
men with swords and muskets, and whatever you wish to have
done, that will they do.”
“Well, for.my part,” said the other, ‘‘I am quite willing
to make the exchange.” And he gave the table-cloth to the
charcoal-burner, took down the knapsack from its hook, slung
it over his shoulder, and took his leave. Before he had gone
far he began to want to make a trial of his wonderful knap¬
sack, so he struck it a blow. At once seven soldiers appeared
before him, and the corporal said,
- What does my lord and master please to want?"