f the Black Forest Mountains, exhausted the
place, and at the time appointed the party reassembled at the railroad
station, where Mr. Arbuckle had gathered together half a dozen
diligences, in which the company were to proceed to Schaffhausen, in
Switzerland. He knew how much interest the story-readers feel in the
Black Forest, and as the party had already visited Basle, he proposed
to take his charge across the country, which would enable them to see
some of the finest mountain scenery in Germany, and more of the manners
and customs of the people than could be observed in the large towns on
the railroad. He had already sent forward his courier to make
preparations for the accommodation of his party.

Two days were to be occupied in reaching the Rhine. The first part of
the journey was over a level plain highly cultivated. The road soon
begins to ascend; and this locality is called _Himmelreich_, or Heaven,
to distinguish it by contrast from the _Hoellenthal_, or Valley of Hell,
a deep and romantic gorge which lies beyond. The students enjoyed the
scenery, and those who were disposed, walked for miles up the long
hills, to the great satisfaction of the driver. The students of the
German language had abundant opportunities to practise their gutturals,
and none but sufferers know what a pleasure it is to have a genuine
native understand their sentences.

The pedestrians made brief halts at the water-mills, houses, and fields
on the way, and were invariably treated with the utmost kindness and
consideration. "_Bitte, geben sie mir ein Glas Wasser_," was repeated
so many times that all understood it. The fact that they were Americans
insured them a warm welcome, and many an inquiry was made for "_meinem
Sohn_ in Amerika." The "walkists" enjoyed this intercourse with the
people so much that they walked till they were unnecessarily fatigued.

"_Bitte, geben sie mir Geld_," said a German, stepping up to the
carriage which contained Dr. Winstock, and those who were so careful to
keep near him.

He was a young man, with a big pipe in his mouth, a big stick in his
hand, and a big knapsack on his back. He was pretty well dressed, and
was in company with three others, who asked for money in like manner of
different persons of the party. The doctor asked him a few questions,
and then gave him two or three kreutzers, which he accepted with many
thanks.

"Those are very respectable beggars," said Paul, as the man left the
dilige