hey all caught it hot, both the host and his guests. When at
length the host cried out in his distress, "Sack, shut!" the men sprang
back, and the sack closed. But now the bolder guests themselves gave the
host a good beating before they left. After this, things went as badly
with the rich brother as with the poor one before. He kept the handsome
knapsack, but the men with the cudgels were in it, and if he only
thought of opening it, they laid them on his back. But the poor brother
had enough for himself and his wife from the first knapsack as long as
he lived.

* * * * *

Versions of this story are current throughout Europe; but in general,
the magical properties (of which there are usually two or three) are
stolen or exchanged by a designing innkeeper, or other person, without
the knowledge of the owner.

* * * * *

The next story, that of the Devil being pounded in a sack, is current in
various forms throughout Northern Europe.

THE SOLDIER AND THE DEVIL.

(JANNSEN.)

The Devil encountered a soldier outside the town, and said to him, "Good
friend, please help me to get through the town. I can't go alone, though
I should be very glad to do so, for the two-eyed dogs[33] would surround
me in every street. They attack me as soon as I enter the town."

"I'd be glad to help you," said the soldier, "but one can't do any
business without money."

"What do you want then?" said the Devil.

"Not a great deal," returned the soldier, "for you've plenty of money.
If you'll fill my gauntlet, I shall be quite satisfied."

"I've as much as that in my pocket," said the Devil, and filled the
glove to the brim.

The soldier reflected, and said, "I really don't know where to put you.
Stop! just creep into my knapsack; you'll be safer there than anywhere."

"That'll do! But your knapsack has three straps. Don't buckle the third,
or it might be bad for me."[34]

"All right! Squeeze in."

So the Devil crept into the knapsack.

But the soldier was one of those people who don't keep their word as
they ought. As soon as the devil was in the knapsack, he buckled all
three straps tight, saying, "A soldier mustn't go through the town with
loose straps. Do you think that the corporal would excuse me on your
account if he saw me so untidy?"

But the soldier had a friend on the other side of the town who was a
smith. He marched straight off to him with the De