"
"I must first know what these wonderful powers are," answered the youth.
"That will I tell thee," replied the charcoal-burner; "every time thou
tappest it with thy hand, a corporal comes with six men armed from
head to foot, and they do whatsoever thou commandest them." "So far as
I am concerned," said the youth, "if nothing else can be done, we will
exchange," and he gave the charcoal-burner the cloth, took the knapsack
from the hook, put it on, and bade farewell. When he had walked a while,
he wished to make a trial of the magical powers of his knapsack and
tapped it. Immediately the seven warriors stepped up to him, and the
corporal said, "What does my lord and ruler wish for?"
"March with all speed to the charcoal-burner, and demand my wishing-cloth
back." They faced to the left, and it was not long before they brought
what he required, and had taken it from the charcoal-burner without
asking many questions. The young man bade them retire, went onwards,
and hoped fortune would shine yet more brightly on him. By sunset he
came to another charcoal-burner, who was making his supper ready by the
fire.
Pages:
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403