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.