Page:Stories of the Rhine country, (IA storiesofrhineco00alle).pdf/16

12 after night, the fisherman scaled the rock to sit for an hour by her side.

Lorelei sang to him. She told him secrets of the Rhine. She showed him where to cast his net. He obeyed her, and each day his net was full of fish.

But one dark night the brave fisherman did not return from the rock. His mates searched for him. They dragged the river for his body — in vain. Never more was he seen in his boat on the Rhine. Never again did he climb the moonlit cliff.

But the river rippled on. And far above, under the stars, the Lorelei still sang her wonderful song. Perhaps she had carried the bold fisherman away to dwell forever with her in her coral caves under the quiet waters.

Now Count Ludwig, the only son of Prince Palatine, heard of the wondrous sweetness and beauty of the Lorelei. How he longed for such a glimpse of the lovely creature! At last, one night, he left the castle unseen, and sailed away