"Did Frau Braun tell of anything else her brother wrote?" asked her
mother.

"He spoke of the bridge of boats across the river, and said she would
enjoy watching it open and shut to let the steamers and big rafts
pass through. And he told of the Cologne water that is sold in so
many of the shops. It is hard to tell which makes the town most
famous, the great cathedral or the Cologne water."

"Father, how was the bridge of boats made?" asked Bertha.

"The boats were moored in a line across the river. Planks were then
laid across the tops and fastened upon them. Vessels cannot pass
under a bridge of this kind, so it has to be opened from time to
time. They say it is always interesting to see this done."

"Yes, Frau Braun said she would rather see the bridge of boats than
anything else in the city. She has already begun to plan how she can
save up enough money to make the trip."

"I will go over there to-morrow to see her new necklace," said
Bertha. "But what is amber, father?"

"If you should go to the northern part of Germany, Bertha, you would
see great numbers of men, women, and children, busy on the shores of
the ocean. The work is greatest in the rough days of autumn, when a
strong wind is blowing from the northeast.

"Then the men dress themselves as though they were going out into a
storm. They arm themselves with nets and plunge into the waves,