In a short time the little inns by the river opened their doors, and the riverside was astir.

They went into one of the inns and ate a hearty meal, then they went down to the waterside, and found that there were several country boats going up the river.

They soon bargained for a passage, and had just time to buy a basket of bread, sausage, and cheese, with half a dozen bottles of wine, before the boat started.

There were no other passengers on board and, telling the story they had agreed upon, they were soon on good terms with the boatmen.
Including the windings of the river, it was some eighty miles to Ratisbon.

The boat was towed by two horses, and glided pleasantly along, taking three days on the passage.