Page:Tales from the Fjeld.djvu/368

346 "Oh," said he, "when one hasn't got the cask, one must be thankful for the tap. I am always so thirsty for ale, that I can never drink enough ale or wine;" and then he asked if he might have leave to be one of the ship's company.

"If you care to come, step on board," said Boots.



Yes, he was willing enough, and he stepped on board and took the tap with him lest he should be a-thirst.

So when they had sailed a bit farther they met one who lay with one ear on the ground listening.

"What sort of a chap are you?" asked Boots; "and what good is it that you lie there on the ground listening?"

"I am listening to the grass growing," he said, "for I am so quick of hearing that I can hear it grow; "and so he begged that he might be one of the ship's company.

Well, he too did not get "Nay."

"If you care to come, step on board," said Boots.

Yes, he was willing enough, and so up he, too, stepped into the ship.

So when they had sailed a bit farther, they came to a man who stood aiming and aiming.

"What sort of a chap are you?" said Boots;