At the end of two days he arrived at the bank of a large river. On it was a boat, and in the boat a negro of colossal stature.
Our lad approached the boatmen and asked him:
"Good man, is this the way to Fortune?"
"Yes, little boy, but it is necessary to cross the river."
"Good, then take me across."
"Do you know how much it costs?"
"No."
"Fifty duros."
"But do I look as if I had them, or had even seen them in my life? Be kind and take me over for nothing."
"This river, my little friend, is never crossed gratis. It is the first step towards Fortune and it must be paid for somehow. If you have no money, never mind; let me cut off a little piece of your heart. Perhaps it will hurt you a bit at first, but later you will feel as if you were whole."