Page:The Decameron of the West (1839).djvu/184

 before you, and you must make haste; but you will not lose your labour in the end.”

“That I will,” said the other. “My wooden leg has this good property that it never wearies; nay,” said he, holding it up in triumph, “I can walk as well with it as the lame dwarf crept, who earned for this town all the fields that surround it. But,” added the old man, “I must first wait till sunset, on account of a visit from little Grey Coat.”

“Who is little Grey Coat?” inquired Francis.

“Why,” said Wooden Block, “he is a fellow that comes here morning and evening, and never fails to give me a large piece of silver money. Between you and I,” added he in a whisper, “I think that little Grey Coat is the devil, and that he wishes to buy my soul; but never mind, he sha’nt have it, for I have never yet consented to the bargain.”

“I dare say,” said our hero laughing, “that little Grey Coat is a great rascal; but come along, and you shall not want the silver money.” Francis con-