The Boots of Buffalo-Leather

There was once a soldier who was afraid of nothing and never worried about anything. When he got his discharge from the army, he had learned no trade and had no way to earn money, so he traveled around and begged for food from kind people.

He had an old waterproof coat on his back and a pair of riding boots made of buffalo leather that were still left to him. One day he was walking straight out into the open country, not knowing where he was going, and at last he came to a forest.

He did not know where he was, but he saw a man sitting on the stump of a tree that had been cut down. The man was well dressed and wore a green hunting coat.

The soldier shook hands with him, sat down on the grass beside him, and stretched out his legs. "I see you have good boots on, nicely polished," he said to the huntsman. "But if you had to travel around as I do, they wouldn't last long.

Look at mine—they are made of buffalo leather and have been worn for a long time, but I can go through thick and thin in them." After a while, the soldier got up and said, "I can't stay any longer; hunger is driving me on.

But, Brother Bright-Boots, where does this road lead?" "I don't know myself," answered the huntsman. "I have lost my way in the forest." "Then you are in the same situation as I am," said the soldier. "Birds of a feather flock together.

Let's stay together and find our way." The huntsman smiled a little, and they walked on further and further until night fell. "We aren't getting out of the forest," said the soldier, "but over there in the distance I see a light shining.

That will help us get something to eat." They found a stone house and knocked at the door. An old woman opened it. "We are looking for a place to sleep for the night," said the soldier, "and something to fill our stomachs, because mine is as empty as an old knapsack." "You can't stay here," answered the old woman.

"This is a robbers' house. You would be wise to get away before they come home, or you will be lost." "It won't be that bad," answered the soldier. "I haven't had a bite to eat in two days, and whether I get killed here or die of hunger in the forest is all the same to me.

I'm going in." The huntsman didn't want to follow, but the soldier pulled him in by the sleeve. "Come, my dear brother, we won't meet our end so quickly!" The old woman took pity on them and said, "Creep in here behind the stove, and if the robbers leave anything, I will give it to you secretly when they are asleep." They had barely gotten into the corner when twelve robbers burst in, sat down at the table that was already set, and loudly demanded food.

The old woman brought in large dishes of roast meat, and the robbers enjoyed them thoroughly. When the smell of the food reached the soldier's nose, he said to the huntsman, "I can't hold out any longer.

I'm going to sit down at the table and eat with them." "You will bring destruction upon us," said the huntsman, and held him back by the arm. But the soldier began to cough loudly.

When the robbers heard that, they threw down their knives and forks, jumped up, and discovered the two behind the stove. "Aha, gentlemen, are you in the corner?" they cried. "What are you doing here? Have you been sent as spies?

Wait a while, and you will learn how to fly on a dry branch." "But be polite," said the soldier. "I am hungry. Give me something to eat, and then you can do whatever you want with me." The robbers were astonished, and the captain said, "I see you have no fear.

Well, you shall have some food, but after that you must die." "We'll see," said the soldier, and he sat down at the table and began to cut away bravely at the roast meat. "Brother Bright-Boots, come and eat," he called to the huntsman.

"You must be as hungry as I am, and you won't get 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, the soldier said, "I have had enough food.

Now get me something good to drink." The captain was in the mood to humor him in this as well, and called to the old woman, "Bring a bottle from the cellar, and make sure it's the best." The soldier pulled the cork with a loud pop, then went with the bottle to the huntsman and said, "Pay attention, brother, and you will see something that will surprise you.

I am now going to drink to the health of the whole clan." Then he waved 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!" Then he took a hearty drink.

No sooner were the words said than the robbers all sat motionless as if made of stone, with their mouths open and their right hands stretched up in the air. The huntsman said to the soldier, "I see you know tricks of another kind.

But now come, let us go home." "Oh, my dear brother, that would be marching away far too soon. We have conquered the enemy and must first take the booty. Those men are sitting fast and opening their mouths in astonishment, but they won't 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 did 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 to make our march short, the old woman will show us the nearest way to the town." When they arrived in town, 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 with me to see how they shake when we grab them by the feet." He placed the men around the robbers, then he took the bottle, drank a mouthful, waved it above them, and cried, "Live again!" Instantly the robbers regained the power to move, but they were thrown down and bound hand and foot with ropes.

Then the soldier ordered them to be thrown into a cart like sacks and said, "Now drive them straight to prison." The huntsman, however, took one of the men aside and gave him another commission. "Brother Bright-Boots," said the soldier, "we have safely routed the enemy and been well fed.

Now we will quietly walk behind them like stragglers." As they approached the town, the soldier saw a crowd of people pouring through the gate, raising loud cries of joy and waving green branches in the air. Then he saw the entire royal bodyguard coming up.

"What can this mean?" he said to the huntsman. "Don't you know?" replied the huntsman. "The king has been away from his kingdom for a long time, and today he is returning. Everyone is going to meet him." "But where is the king?" said the soldier.

"I don't see him." "Here he is," answered the huntsman. "I am the king, and I 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, begging the king to forgive him for having, in his ignorance, treated him as an equal and called 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 be in need again. I will take care of you. And if you ever want to eat a piece of roast meat as good as that in the robbers' house, come to the royal kitchen.

But if you want to drink a toast, you must first ask my permission."