Page:Fairy tales and other stories (Andersen, Craigie).djvu/13

 THE TINDER-BOX

came a soldier marching along the high road—''one, two! one, two!'' He had his knapsack on his back and a sabre by his side, for he had been in the wars, and now he wanted to go home. And on the way he met with an



old witch: she was very hideous, and her under lip hung down upon her breast. She said, 'Good evening, soldier. What a fine sword you have, and what a big knapsack! You're a proper soldier! Now you shall have as much money as you like to have.'

'I thank you, you old witch!' said the soldier.

'Do you see that great tree!' quoth the witch; and she pointed to a tree which stood beside them. 'It's