others which you can visit while in Frankfort."

They crossed the bridge and looked at the great dome of the cathedral,
and while they were gazing, eight solemn strokes sounded from its clock,
and other clocks over the city struck the hour.

"We have but one clock and one church-tower in our village," remarked
Franz. "The boys in Frankfort don't get the chance to say the clock is
wrong when they are late to school."

Thus chatting, they reached the bridge, and, leaning upon the parapet,
gazed at the brilliant scene.

"See, Aunt Fanny, what is that coming down the river? A whole company of
boats filled with people, and with music, and with flags flying?"

"That is a regatta, or sailing match. It will go under this bridge and
down to the old one, then will turn and go up to that island where they
will all leave the boats and will have games and refreshments."

As the boats passed under the bridge Fritz would have liked to jump down
among the group of boys in the first boat; and he watched intently as
the merry company passed up the river and turn, and then stepped off on
the island.

"Aunt, do let us go to the old bridge, and look at the people," he said
eagerly.

Mrs. Steiner was glad to oblige, and they hurried to the bridge to see
the boats land, each one greeted by cheers. The whole company joined in
a march to the sound of martial music by the band, then a short speech
was listened to and when finished our triplets joined in the cheers, and
the throwing up of hats without in the least knowing what the speech was
about, or by whom made.

Fritz was so full of delight over the whole affair that he rubbed his
hands in glee as he made known his resolution to be a cloth merchant
when he was old enough and would come to live in Frankfort, and meant to
join the rudder club. "I will tell them now that I will join," he ended
enthusiastically.

"I think it will be a little too early, my boy," smiled his aunt.

"I don't wish to be too late."

"But it will be some years before you are a merchant."

"I am going to join the marines," exclaimed Franz eagerly. "Father
wishes me to be a forester, and I had not made up my mind what I would
be. Now I know. Yes, I will join the marines. Oh, that is a jolly life."

"Are you sure of that, my boy?" asked a man who stood near them on the
crowded bridge, and Mrs. Steiner turned to greet August Stayman whom she
had known from his boyhood, and introduced the boys to him.

"An