The Boots of Buffalo-Leather

by The Brothers Grimm

　　

---

A soldier who is afraid of nothing, troubles himself about nothing. Oneof this kind had received his discharge, and as he had learnt no tradeand could earn nothing, he travelled about and begged alms of kindpeople. He had an old waterproof on his back, and a pair of riding-bootsof buffalo-leather which were still left to him. One day he was walkinghe knew not where, straight out into the open country, and at lengthcame to a forest. He did not know where he was, but saw sitting on thetrunk of a tree, which had been cut down, a man who was well dressedand wore a green shooting-coat. The soldier shook hands with him, satdown on the grass by his side, and stretched out his legs. "I see thouhast 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 lastlong. Look at mine, they are of buffalo-leather, and have been worn fora long time, but in them I can go through thick and thin." After a whilethe soldier got up and said, "I can stay no longer, hunger drives meonwards; but, Brother Bright-boots, where does this road lead to?" "Idon't know that myself," answered the huntsman, "I have lost my way inthe forest." "Then thou art in the same plight as I," said the soldier;"birds of a feather flock together, let us remain together, and seekour way." The huntsman smiled a little, and they walked on further andfurther, until night fell. "We do not get out of the forest," said thesoldier, "but there in the distance I see a light shining, which will helpus 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 emptyas 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 theycome home, or you will be lost." "It won't be so bad as that," answeredthe soldier, "I have not had a mouthful for two days, and whether I ammurdered here or die of hunger in the forest is all the same to me. Ishall go in." The huntsman would not follow, but the soldier drew himin with him by the sleeve. "Come, my dear brother, we shall not cometo 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 giveit to you on the sly when they are asleep." Scarcely were they in thecorner before twelve robbers came bursting in, seated themselves at thetable which was already laid, and vehemently demanded some food. Theold woman brought in some great dishes of roast meat, and the robbersenjoyed that thoroughly. When the smell of the food ascended the nostrilsof 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 usto destruction," said the huntsman, and held him back by the arm. But thesoldier began to cough loudly. When the robbers heard that, they threwaway their knives and forks, leapt up, and discovered the two who werebehind 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," saidthe soldier, "I am hungry, give me something to eat, and then you cando what you like with me." The robbers were astonished, and the captainsaid, "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, andseated himself at the table, and began to cut away valiantly at the roastmeat. "Brother Brightboots, come and eat," cried he to the huntsman;"thou must be as hungry as I am, and cannot have better roast meatat home," but the huntsman would not eat. The robbers looked at thesoldier in astonishment, and said, "The rascal uses no ceremony." Aftera while he said, "I have had enough food, now get me something good todrink." The captain was in the mood to humour him in this also, andcalled to the old woman, "Bring a bottle out of the cellar, and mindit 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 nowgoing to drink the health of the whole clan." Then he brandished thebottle 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 hedrank a hearty draught. Scarcely were the words said than they all satmotionless as if made of stone, and their mouths were open and theirright 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 comeand let us go home." "Oho, my dear brother, but that would be marchingaway far too soon; we have conquered the enemy, and must first take thebooty. Those men there are sitting fast, and are opening their mouthswith astonishment, but they will not be allowed to move until I permitthem. Come, eat and drink." The old woman had to bring another bottle ofthe best wine, and the soldier would not stir until he had eaten enoughto last for three days. At last when day came, he said, "Now it is timeto strike our tents, and that our march may be a short one, the old womanshall 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 founda nest full of gallows' birds, come with me and we will take it." Thesoldier led them, and said to the huntsman, "Thou must go back againwith me to see how they shake when we seize them by the feet." He placedthe men round about the robbers, and then he took the bottle, drank amouthful, brandished it above them, and cried, "Live again." Instantlythey all regained the power of movement, but were thrown down and boundhand and foot with cords. Then the soldier ordered them to be throwninto a cart as if they had been so many sacks, and said, "Now drivethem straight to prison." The huntsman, however, took one of the menaside 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!" Whenthey approached the town, the soldier saw a crowd of people pouringthrough the gate of the town who were raising loud cries of joy, andwaving green boughs in the air. Then he saw that the entire body-guardwas coming up. "What can this mean?" said he to the huntsman. "Dostthou not know?" he replied, "that the King has for a long time beenabsent from his kingdom, and that to-day he is returning, and everyone 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 hisroyal garments were visible. The soldier was alarmed, and fell on hisknees and begged him to forgive him for having in his ignorance treatedhim as an equal, and spoken to him by such a name. But the King shookhands with him, and said, "Thou art a brave soldier, and hast saved mylife. Thou shalt never again be in want, I will take care of thee. Andif ever thou wouldst like to eat a piece of roast meat, as good as thatin the robber's house, come to the royal kitchen. But if thou wouldstdrink a health, thou must first ask my permission."

---