"urashima sama, urashima sama! welcome to the sea palace, the home of the dragon king of the sea. thrice welcome are you, having come from such a distant country. and you, mr. tortoise, we are greatly indebted to you for all your trouble in bringing urashima here." then, turning again to urashima, they said, "please follow us this way," and from here the whole band of fishes became his guides.