News of his determination to try the Tiber having preceeded him to Orte, he was royally received by the authorities and populace.

When the start was made, the mayor escorted him to the river, lustily blowing a horn all the way, like a fish peddler trying to attract attention.
The Tiber is an uninteresting stream, running through the Roman Campagna, and is made up of great bends.

He left Orte in the afternoon, and night came on terribly cold.

Now and then he would get a cheer from people along the banks; but in a moment it was lost.

He drove rapidly along all night without an adventure worth recording.