Then it will fall , and under its roots will be found more gold and silver than even Mark the Rich has got . ' ` Then I dreamt I came to a river , and the old ferryman said to me : `` For thirty year 's the ferryman has rowed to and fro . Will the tired old man have to row much longer ? '' ' ` 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 XXXXX , 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 .
If for into of on out over than that to