"I have one of my wallets full. I baited the horse at inns, as I came along. He may as well have a feed, before I take him out into the wood."
He poured a good feed onto a flat stone. As he did so, the peasant's horse lifted up his head and snuffed the air.
"You shall have some too, old boy," Fergus said; and going across, was about to empty some on to the ground before it, when its owner, taking off his hat, held it out.
"Put it into this," he said. "It is seldom, indeed, that he gets such a treat; and I would not that he should lose a grain."
Fergus poured a bountiful feed into the hat.
"Now," he said, "I can supplement your supper, as well as your horse's;" and from the other wallet he produced a cold leg of pork, that Karl had put in before he started; together with three loaves; and two bottles of wine, carefully done up in straw.
The peasant looked astonished, as Fergus took these out and placed them upon the table.
"No, no, sir," he said, "we cannot take your food in that way."
"You are heartily welcome to it," Fergus said. "If you do not assist me to eat it, it will be wasted. Tomorrow I shall breakfast at Erfurt, and maybe dine, also. I will start as soon as I get back."
"Well, well, sir, it shall be as you please," the man said; "but it seems that we are reversing our parts, and that you have become the host, and we your guests."