THE KNAPSACK
"Fairly well, fairly well, my good man," answered the soldier, drawing himself up with much importance. Upon this the landlord bowed again, and asked if his excellency desired anything more.
"Yes," said the soldier, "let me have a room for the night."
He was informed, however, with many excuses, that every room was occupied, with the exception of one which could not be used.
"Why not?" inquired he.
"All who have slept in that room," explained the landlord, "were found dead the next morning."
"That is the very room for me!" exclaimed the soldier. "Make it ready."
In spite of all objections, he persisted in occupying the haunted room, so when night came on, and he had finished his business, he bid good-night and retired. As soon as the door was closed behind him, he turned the key in the lock, unstrapped his faithful knapsack and placed it in a corner. Then he seated himself on a chair, prepared for whatever might come.
In a little while there was a noise in the chimney, and a black ball came suddenly rolling through the fireplace and into the room, where it unfolded itself into a black, long-haired devil with two horns and a tail, a long nose, and finger-nails which had lengthened into claws.
"Halloo! Is there more of that kind?" ejaculated the soldier, nodding at the tall black figure.
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