About five o'clock he saw two men on the bank and called out to them, asking how far it was to Cremona: "Motto, Signor; motto," was the answer which means, "very much, very much." It is the usual reply of all Italian peasants when asked regarding distance.
Paul was so refreshed that he did not mind the discouraging answer.

He was on buoyant spirits and to it seemed to him as though he could dash along forever without tiring, his strength was so great.

He felt there would be no difficulty in completing his undertaking in time.

This unusual animation and feeling of wondrous power, he could only attribute to the effects of the food and wine.

Pulling gaily along, he suddenly felt a tremendous pressure in his head, and apparently without the slightest cause, blood spurted from his mouth and nostrils.