'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 up those
twelve ships of Mark's which you swallowed three years ago.'

The great fish heaved itself up and threw up all the twelve ships and
their crews. Then he shook himself for joy, and plunged into the sea.

Vassili went on further till he reached the ferry, where the old man
asked: 'Did you think of me?'

'Yes, and as soon as you have ferried me across I will tell you what you
want to know.'

When they had crossed over, Vassili said: 'Let the next man who comes
stay in the boat, but do you step on shore, push the boat off, and you
will be free, and the other man must take your place.

Then Vassili went on further still, and soon came to the old oak tree,
pushed it with his foot, and it fell over. There, at the roots, was more
gold and silver than even Mark the Rich had.

And now the twelve ships which the whale had thrown up came sailing
along and anchored close by. On the deck of the first ship stood the
three beggars whom Vassili had met formerly, and they said: 'Heaven has
blessed you, Vassili.' Then they vanished away and he never saw them
again.

The sailors carried all the gold and silver into the ship, and then they
set sail for home with Vassili on board.

Mark was more furious than ever. He had his horses harnessed and drove
off himself to see the Serpent King and to complain of