The French ran
up and down the shore, hoping to see someone who could tell them the
location of the ford, but found no one. The enemy was advancing rapidly
upon them and they had about given up in despair, when they saw a deer
with her young step into the water and cross safely. In full confidence
that the instinct of the animal had guided her correctly, they followed
and reached the south side of the Main safely. The Saxons followed, but
could not find the shallow place to cross, for there was no deer to
guide them, and the city, dating from that time, was called
_Frankenfurt_ or Frankfort."

This narrative was of deep interest to the boys, who gazed at the spot
where Charlemagne had crossed more than eleven hundred years before.

"Did he live in Frankfort?" asked Paul.

"Yes, for even at that time the city was of some importance. He built a
fine palace which he named 'Frankfort,' and did much to improve the city
and neighborhood. He formed great hunting troops to destroy the wild
animals which infested the forests and did much damage, bears, wolves,
wild hogs and buffaloes making the forests dangerous to travelers."

Now that they had heard this story of the river, they took keen interest
in all that concerned it, especially the vessels upon its placid waters.

"They can carry great burdens," remarked Fritz, "more than many horses
could pull."

"Suppose we have a question in arithmetic," said Uncle Braun. "I am sure
that any one of you can solve it. If one such vessel could carry thirty
thousand hundredweight, how many horses would it take to draw that
burden if two horses could draw fifty hundredweight, and how many wagons
and drivers if each driver had two horses?"

Fritz was the ready reckoner of the three, and quickly answered, "Twelve
hundred horses, six hundred wagons, and six hundred drivers."

"Then you can see how much cheaper it is to have freight carried by
sea."

"What are those boards for reaching from the shore out over the water?"
asked Paul.

"They are for those who wish to take a bath in the Main; and on these
warm evenings it is very agreeable to have this refreshment to weary
bodies. Would you boys like to take a bath?"

"What would it cost?" asked Fritz.

"Eight cents."

"Then I can't take it. I have no money. Oh, my beautiful, bright gold--"

"But would you take the bath if I pay for it?"

"Do you mean for Franz and Paul, too?"

"Yes, for all three."

"Franz, do you and Paul