Years flew by , and every morning Uraschimataro sailed his boat into the deep sea . But one day as he was making for a little bay between some rocks , there arose a fierce whirlwind , which shattered his boat to pieces , and she was sucked under by the waves . Uraschimataro himself very nearly shared the same fate . But he was a powerful swimmer , and struggled hard to reach the shore . Then he saw a large turtle coming towards him , and above the howling of the storm he heard what it said : ' I am the turtle whose life you once saved . I will now pay my debt and show my gratitude . The land is still far distant , and without my help you would never get there . Climb on my back , and I will take you where you will . ' Uraschimataro did not wait to be asked twice , and thankfully accepted his friend 's help . But scarcely was he seated firmly on the shell , when the turtle proposed that they should not return to the shore at once , but go under the sea , and look at some of the wonders that lay hidden there . Uraschimataro agreed willingly , and in another moment they were deep , deep down , with fathoms of blue water above their heads . Oh , how quickly they darted through the still , warm sea ! The young man held tight , and marvelled where they were going and how long they were to travel , but for three days they rushed on , till at last the turtle stopped before a splendid palace , shining with gold and silver , crystal and precious stones , and decked here and there with branches of pale pink coral and glittering pearls . But if Uraschimataro was astonished at the beauty of the outside , he was struck dumb at the sight of the hall within , which was lighted by the blaze of fish scales . ` Where have you brought me ? ' he asked his guide in a low voice . ` To the palace of Ringu , the house of the sea god , whose subjects we all are , ' answered the turtle . ' I am the first waiting maid of his daughter , the lovely princess Otohime , whom you will shortly see . ' Uraschimataro was still so puzzled with the adventures that had befallen him , that he waited in a dazed condition for what would happen next . But the turtle , who had talked so much of him to the princess that she had expressed a wish to see him , went at once to make known his arrival .
And directly the princess beheld him her heart was set XXXXX him , and she begged him to stay with her , and in return promised that he should never grow old , neither should his beauty fade .
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