ing angry, the agent slipped away and got back just in
time to catch a train for Ferrara much farther down the river. Most
of the crowd waited on the banks until dark, then returned and commenced
to hunt for the agent; not finding him, they satisfied themselves by
burning his effigy in the public square.

Monday broke on Paul, chilly and uncomfortable. Once in a while a faint
gleam of sunshine would light up the river and he took advantage of any
long reach before him, free from mills, to take a nap. He woke from one
of these naps by hearing a cry on the banks and saw a fisherman gazing
intently at the floating object. He half opened his eyes, but never made
a move, curious to see what effect his presence would make on the
peasant. At this time the current was setting him into the shore. The
fisherman ran down along the bank to a point and there stood, pole in
hand, waiting to capture what he no doubt thought was a dead body. As he
was thrusting the pole out, Paul quickly assumed an upright position in
the water and saluted him with the words:

"Buon giorno."

The pole dropped from his hand and with one frightened shriek he rushed
up the bank and disappeared. About one o'clock the bridge at Piacenza
came in sight but instead of being full of people, as he expected, Paul
saw only a few working men and some soldiers. No sight of the agent was
visible, so he decided to run through and stop at Cremona about thirty
miles below. He saluted the workmen and soldiers as he was carried under
the bridge with frightful velocity. At this time his strength was almost
gone and he was heart sore that he should fail in his self-imposed
task; but felt that he was able to continue on as far as Cremona, about
twenty-five miles below. The day grew more dreary and it seemed to him
as if it would soon commence to snow. He continued working slowly and
stubbornly along, when he was arrested by a cry behind him. Coming
upright and wheeling around, he saw a young officer standing in a boat
pulled by about twenty pontoneers. As he shot alongside, the officer
stretched forth his hand to shake Paul's and said in French:

"You must come on board and go back to Piacenza. The public are greatly
disappointed. Your agent said that you would be here yesterday and a
great reception was prepared for you."

Paul thanked him but firmly declined to return. The officer then asked
him if he desired anything and Pa