"Here is where the old knight must have stood," said he, "to look down on the island, and the convent where his lost lady was imprisoned."
"Yes," said Rollo, "he could look right down upon it from here. I wonder whether the nun knew that he was up here."
"Yes," said Mr. George, "there is not the least doubt that she did. They found out some way to have an understanding together, you may depend."
After lingering about the old ruin as long as they wished, our travellers came down the hill again as they went up, except that Rollo walked all the way. He was afraid to ride on the donkey going down, for fear that he should fall.
Rollo went down to the river side, and taking off his stockings and shoes, bathed his feet in the stream. While he was there a great boat came by, towed by two horses that walked along the bank. The rope, however, by which the horses drew the boat was fastened, not to the side of the boat, as is common with us on canals, but to the top of the mast, so that it was carried high in the air, and it passed over Rollo's head without disturbing him at all. They always have the tow ropes fastened to the top of the mast on the Rhine, because the banks are in some places so high that a rope lying low would not draw.
Rollo remained on the bank of the river some time, and then he put on his shoes and stockings and went up into his room. He found that his uncle George was seated at the table, with pen, ink, and paper out, and was busy writing letters.
"Uncle George," said Rollo, "what shall I do now?"
"Let me think," said Mr. George. Then after a moment's reflection, he added, "I should like to have you take a sheet of paper, and draw this little table up to the window, and take your seat there, and look out, and whenever you see any thing remarkable, write down what it is on the paper."
"What shall you do with it when I have got it done?" said Rollo.
"I'll tell you that when it is done," replied Mr. George.