You heard what I told you , that the sea-maiden said to me a mile farther along the road -- and by the road she meant the river , for she can go by no other way -- there was another herd of cattle waiting for me . But I know what windings the river makes , now here , now there , so that it is a long way round . Therefore it makes it much shorter if one comes on the land and drives across the field to the river . Thus I have spared myself quite half a mile , and have come much quicker to my sea-cattle ! ' ` Oh , you 're a lucky fellow ! ' said Big Klaus . ` Do you think I should also get some cattle if I went to the bottom of the river ? ' ` Oh , yes ! I think so , ' said Little Klaus . ` But I ca n't carry you in a sack to the river ; you are too heavy for me ! If you like to go there yourself and then creep into the sack , I will throw you in with the greatest of pleasure . ' ` Thank you , ' said Big Klaus ; ` but if I do n't get any sea-cattle when I come there , you will have a good hiding , mind ! ' ` Oh , no ! Do n't be so hard on me ! ' Then they went to the river . When the cattle , which were thirsty , caught sight of the water , they ran as quickly as they could to drink . ` Look how they are running ! ' said Little Klaus . ` They want to go to the bottom again ! ' ` Yes ; but help me first , ' said Big Klaus , ` or else you shall have a beating ! '
And so he crept into the large sack , which was lying on the back XXXXX one of the oxen .
If across along as by in into of on to