As soon as Lore had finished her song, she threw a stone into the river, which caused a wave to rise. She mounted it and sank from view with it, never to be seen again, though her singing was often heard by men passing by.
The rock was formerly called Lorely, but is now Lurlei, and has a lovely echo said to be the gift of Lore.
The girls were disappointed to see the water around the rock so very quiet--no whirlpool at all.
When they saw that a cut had been made through the rock for railroad trains, all the romance was gone for them.
Alice said, "O papa, how could anybody spoil that pretty story by running trains through the rock? If that is the way my romances are going to end I will not read any more."
However, she soon saw a house built in the river, and wanted to know what it was and why it was there.
"I know," said Nellie. "I was reading about it the other day."
It is called the Pfalz, and was built by Louis of Bavaria in the thirteenth century, in order to exact tribute from passing vessels.
Opposite is the town of Bacharach, the Ara Bacchi of the Romans, and has long been famous for its wines. In Longfellow's "Golden Legend" is the old rhyme,--
"At Bacharach on the Rhine, At Hochheim on the Main, And at Würzburg on the Stein, Grow the three best kinds of wine."
The Bacchus-Altar is to be found in this lovely country. It stands just below the town, but the water has to be very low to read the inscription (which is nearly illegible), as it is situated between the bank of the river and an islet.
The Altar is supposed to have been erected by the Romans to their god of wine.
Many other castles, some restored, but the most of them in ruins, were passed, before Assmanshausen, famous for its red wines, was reached.
Mr. Winter said, "Now this ends what is called 'the great gorge of the Rhine,' and the river will broaden, and the open country, not very interesting, is before you."
Just before reaching Bingen they saw the ruins of Ehrenfels, and in the middle of the river the Mausthurm, or "Mouse Tower."
"O papa, I know the story of that tower," said Alice. "Can I tell it?"
"We are only too glad to hear it," said her mamma.
"Hatto was Bishop of Fulda, and wishing to be made Archbishop of Mayence, used every means in his power to accomplish his purpose. He succeeded, and became very ambitious, proud, and cruel. He taxed the poor to build for himself fine dwellings.