But after looking at him more closely, he thought he had been civil enough, so he placed him on the floor, and opened the chest. Good morning, said the soldier, touching his cap, for he had never seen such a dog in his life. Then he went into the third room, and there the dog was really hideous his eyes were, truly, as big as towers, and they turned round and round in his head like wheels. But when he saw what a quantity of silver money it contained, he very quickly threw away all the coppers he had taken, and filled his pockets and his knapsack with nothing but silver. You had better not look at me in that way, said the soldier you will make your eyes water and then he seated him also upon the apron, and opened the chest. Then he closed the lid, seated the dog upon it again, and walked into another chamber, And, sure enough, there sat the dog with eyes as big as mill-wheels. You're a pretty fellow, said the soldier, seizing him, and placing him on the witch's apron, while he filled his pockets from the chest with as many pieces as they would hold. Ah! there sat the dog, with the eyes as large as teacups, staring at him. Here it is, replied the witch and here is my blue checked apron.Īs soon as the rope was tied, the soldier climbed up the tree, and let himself down through the hollow to the ground beneath and here he found, as the witch had told him, a large hall, in which many hundred lamps were all burning. Only promise to bring me an old tinder-box, which my grandmother left behind the last time she went down there. No, said the witch but I do not ask for a single penny. This is not a bad story, said the soldier but what am I to give you, you old witch? for, of course, you do not mean to tell me all this for nothing. If he also is placed upon my apron, he cannot hurt you, and you may take from the chest what gold you will. The dog who sits on this chest is very dreadful his eyes are as big as a tower, but do not mind him. If, however, you like gold best, enter the third chamber, where there is another chest full of it. Place him upon my apron, and then take what money you please. Here you will find another dog, with eyes as big as mill-wheels but do not let that trouble you. You can then open the chest, and take from it as many pence as you please, they are only copper pence but if you would rather have silver money, you must go into the second chamber. But you need not be at all afraid of him I will give you my blue checked apron, which you must spread upon the floor, and then boldly seize hold of the dog, and place him upon it. On entering the first of the chambers, to which these doors lead, you will see a large chest, standing in the middle of the floor, and upon it a dog seated, with a pair of eyes as large as teacups. Get money, she replied for you must know that when you reach the ground under the tree, you will find yourself in a large hall, lighted up by three hundred lamps you will then see three doors, which can be easily opened, for the keys are in all the locks. I will tie a rope round your body, so that I can pull you up again when you call out to me.īut what am I to do, down there in the tree? asked the soldier. Well, it is quite hollow inside, and you must climb to the top, when you will see a hole, through which you can let yourself down into the tree to a great depth. Her under-lip hung quite down on her breast, and she stopped and said, Good evening, soldier you have a very fine sword, and a large knapsack, and you are a real soldier so you shall have as much money as ever you like.ĭo you see that large tree, said the witch, pointing to a tree which stood beside them. He had his knapsack on his back, and a sword at his side he had been to the wars, and was now returning home.Īs he walked on, he met a very frightful-looking old witch in the road. A SOLDIER came marching along the high road: Left, right, left, right.
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