"There is a German village connected with it, is there not?" she asked.

"There is, mamma, and I think you will all enjoy looking at both it and
the castle."

"Oh, I am sure we shall if it is a faithful reproduction of the old
castles of feudal times that we have read of!" exclaimed Rosie.

"It is said to be," returned Harold, "and is considered very curious and
interesting."

"Is there a moat about it, Uncle Harold?" asked Grace.

"Yes; and a drawbridge and portcullis."

"Oh, what is that?" asked little Elsie.

"A framework of timbers crossing each other, pointed on the lower edge
with iron and hung by chains in grooves in the chief gateway of the
castle, so that on the sudden appearance of an enemy it could be let down
to keep him out more quickly than the drawbridge could be raised to
prevent his crossing the moat, or the gates shut."

"And what is a moat?"

"A ditch or canal. But you shall see one presently, and a portcullis
also."

"Oh, I'm so glad we came here to the White City!" cried Elsie, skipping