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 the way in which he had been betrayed . When he reached the river he sprang into the ferryboat .
The ferryman , however , did not get in but pushed the boat off ... Vassili led a good and happy life XXXXX his dear wife , and his kind mother-in-law lived with them .
across along at for in into of on over with