Paul often found these bridges
exceedingly dangerous, particularly at night time. Then the ferry is
always tied and the line of small boats lead from the centre to the side
for about a hundred yards below. The bridge men at Frassinetto were
notified of Paul's approach by his bugle and never having heard of him
before, rowed out in a skiff and were very indignant when they found
that he would not be rescued. All day Sunday he drove ahead on the rapid
current. By consulting his maps, which he fortunately saved and dried
on the deck of the Irene, he found that he could not make the run in
four days as he had expected when he started. Sunday evening he
obtained some provisions from a miller and though feeling very sleepy
and much fatigued, he kept driving along all night. The roar of the
waters as they dashed against the mills, put him on the alert. Monday
morning he was faint and fast becoming exhausted; but was encouraged by
the hope of soon reaching Piacenza. There he expected to meet his agent,
get a little rest and a full supply of much needed provisions.
The agent in question, was a Scotchman, he had met in Milan, before
going to Turin. His occupation was that of a tenor singer; but he failed
to make a success of it, he was open for anything that turned up.
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