` But how did you get those splendid cattle ? ' asked Big Klaus . ` They are sea-cattle ! ' said Little Klaus . ' I will tell you the whole story , and I thank you for having drowned me , because now I am on dry land and really rich ! How frightened I was when I was in the sack ! How the wind whistled in my ears as you threw me from the bridge into the cold water ! I sank at once to the bottom ; but I did not hurt myself for underneath was growing the most beautiful soft grass . I fell on this , and immediately the sack opened ; the loveliest maiden in snow-white garments , with a green garland round her wet hair , took me by the hand , and said ! '' Are you Little Klaus ? Here are some cattle for you to begin with , and a mile farther down the road there is another herd , which I will give you as a present ! '' Now I saw that the river was a great high-road for the sea-people . Along it they travel underneath from the sea to the land till the river ends . It was so beautiful , full of flowers and fresh grass ; the fishes which were swimming in the water shot past my ears as the birds do here in the air . What lovely people there were , and what fine cattle were grazing in the ditches and dykes ! ' ` But why did you come up to us again ? ' asked Big Klaus . ' I should not have done so , if it is so beautiful down below ! ' ` Oh ! ' said Little Klaus , ` that was just so politic of me .
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 , XXXXX she can go by no other way -- there was another herd of cattle waiting for me .
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