When he told his story the youngest said to himself , ' I am not rich enough to support us all three . I had better take my turn , and if I manage to win the princess there will be her fortune as well as my own for us to live on . ' So he called together all the shipbuilders in the kingdom , and gave orders that a new ship should be built . Then all the old people came and asked for work , and he answered cheerfully , ` Oh , yes , there is plenty for everybody ; ' and when the boys begged to be allowed to help he found something that they could do . And when the old man with the long white beard stood before him , praying that he might earn his bread , he replied , ` Oh , father , I could not suffer you to work , but you shall be overseer , and look after the rest . ' Now the old man was a holy hermit , and when he saw how kind-hearted the youth was he determined to do all he could for him to gain the wish of his heart . By-and-bye , when the ship was finished , the hermit said to his young friend , ` Now you can go and claim the king 's daughter , for hte ship will float both by land and sea . ' ` Oh , good father , ' cried the young man , ` you will not forsake me ? Stay with me , I pray you , and lead me to the king ! ' ` If you wish it , I will , ' said the hermit , ` on condition that you will give me half of anything you get . ' ` Oh , if that is all , ' answered he , ` it is easily promised ! ' And they set out together on the ship . After they had gone some distance they saw a man standing in a thick fog , which he was trying to put into a sack . ` Oh , good father , ' exclaimed the youth , ` what can he be doing ? ' ` Ask him , ' said the old man . ` What are you doing , my fine fellow ? ' ' I am putting the fog into my sack . That is my business . ' ` Ask him if he will come with us , ' whispered the hermit . And the man answered : ` If you will give me enough to eat and drink I will gladly stay with you . '
So they took him on their ship , and the youth XXXXX , as they started off again , ` Good father , before we were two , and now we are three ! '
claim exclaimed float get look said set stay stood take