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. "But perhaps I shall not see any thing remarkable," said Rollo. "Then," said Mr. George, "you will not have any thing to write. You will in that case only sit and look out of the window." "Very well," said Rollo, "I will do it. But will it do just as well for me to go down to the terrace, and do it there?" "Yes," said Mr. George, "just as well." So Rollo took out his portfolio and his pocket pen and inkstand, and went down to the terrace, and there he sat for nearly two hours watching what was going by, and making out his catalogue of the remarkable things. At the end of about two hours, Mr. George, having finished his letters came down to see how Rollo was getting along. Rollo showed him his list, and Mr. George was quite pleased with it. In the course of the evening Rollo made several additions to it; and when at length it was completed, it read as follows. [Illustration] CHAPTER VII. ROLLO'S LIST. _Remarkable Things seen from the Terrace of the Hotel at Rolandseck, by Rollo H., Saturday Evening, August 29._ 1. An elegant steamer, painted green. Her name is the _Schiller_. She is going up the river. 2. Another steamer, the _Koenig_. Ladies and gentlemen on the deck, under an awning. 3. I can see the ruins of Drachenfels with my spy glass, and the inn near the top of the mountain, painted white. I have been trying to find the path, to see if I could see any donkeys going up; but I cannot find it. 4. A boat with some men and women in it putting off from the landing just above here. They are going down the stream. The current carries them down very fast. I think they are going over to the island.