“Between Mayence and Bingen the Rhine attains its greatest breadth. It is studded with a hundred islands. Its banks are continuous vineyards. Here is the famous district called the Rheingau, which extends along the right bank of the river, where the Rhine wines are produced.
MAYENCE.
“It is all a luxurious wine-garden,—the Rheingau. The grapes purple beside ruins and convents, as well as on their low artificial trellises, and everywhere drink in the sunshine and grow luscious in the mellow air.
“Castles, palaces, ruins, towers, and quaint towns all mingle with the vineyards. A dreamy light hangs over the scene; the river is calm, and the boat drifts along in an atmosphere in which the spirit of romance seems to brood, as though indeed the world’s fairy tales were true.
“We came in sight of Bingen.
“‘We must stop there,’ said Willie Clifton.
“‘Why?’ I asked curiously.
“‘Because—well—