He told the officer that he
did not know one of his friends who would not rather participate in a
duel than be invited to a banquet. When the warrior parted from
Paul he was stuffed fell of harrowing yarns, all of which he seemed to
believe, at least his demeanor was much more gentle than when he had
entered the hotel. Paul remained in Buda Pesth two weeks longer than he
expected, during which time he was a frequent visitor at the home of
the fair Irene, where he was always welcomed by herself and parents.
Then followed a trip through the principal cities of Hungary.
He then went to Italy where on the 4th of November, 1876, he started on
a long voyage down the Po from Turin to the Adriatic, a distance of
about six hundred and seventy miles. He was determined to make this trip
in one continuous run, intending it as a feat to test his endurance.
Paul's knowledge of Italian was very limited and his knowledge of the
river he was about to embark on, less. All the inhabitants of Turin
seemed to have turned out to see him start. To carry his provisions,
map, etc., he had a little tin boat made about two feet, six inches
long and eight inches wide. This little craft bore the name, "Irene
D'Ungeria," Irene, belle of Hungary, and was the model from which his
well known "Baby Mine" was the evolution.
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