； the radiator cap of our car almost against the tailboard of a truck that was loaded high； the load covered with wet canvas。 Then the truck stopped。 The whole column was stopped。 It started again and we went a little farther； then stopped。 I got out and walked ahead； going between the trucks and carts and under the wet necks of the horses。 The block was farther ahead。 I left the road； crossed the ditch on a footboard and walked along the field beyond the ditch。 I could see the stalled column between the trees in the rain as I went forward across from it in the field。 I went about a mile。 The column did not move； although； on the other side beyond the stalled vehicles I could see the troops moving。 I went back to the cars。 This block might extend as far as Udine。 Piani was asleep over the wheel。 I climbed up beside him and went to sleep too。 Several hours later I heard the truck ahead of us grinding into gear。 I woke Piani and we started； moving a few yards； then stopping； then going on again。 It was still raining。
The column stalled again in the night and did not start。 I got down and went back to see Aymo and Bonello。 Bonello had two sergeants of engineers on the seat of his car with him。 They stiffened when I came up。
〃They were left to do something to a bridge；〃 Bonello said。 〃They can't find their unit so I gave them a ride。〃
〃With the Sir Lieutenant's permission。〃
〃With permission；〃 I said。
〃The lieutenant is an American；〃 Bonello said。 〃He'll give anybody a ride。〃
One of the sergeants smiled。 The other asked Bonello if I was an Italian from North or South America。
〃He's not an Italian。 He's North American English。〃
The sergeants were polite but did not believe it。 I left them and went back to Aymo。 He had tw