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.