'That depends on himself. If some one gets into the boat to be
ferried across, the old man has only to push the boat off, and go
his way without looking back. The man in the boat will then have
to take his place.'

'And at last I dreamt that I was walking over a bridge made of a
whale's back, and the living bridge spoke to me and said: "Here
have I been stretched out these three years, and men and horses
have trampled my back down into my ribs. Must I lie here much
longer?" '

'He will have to lie there till he has thrown up the twelve ships
of Mark the Rich which he swallowed. Then he may plunge back
into the sea and heal his back.'

And the Serpent King closed his eyes, turned round on his other
side, and began to snore so loud that the windows rattled.

In all haste the lovely girl helped Vassili out of the chest, and
showed him part of his way back. He thanked her very politely,
and hurried off.

When he reached the strait the whale asked: 'Have you thought of
me?'

'Yes, as soon as I am on the other side I will tell you what you
want to know.'

When he was on the other side Vassili said to the whale: 'Throw