Finally, Frederic makes it to a riverbank. He rests, and then begins walking. He stops to organize his papers and money.
He avoids the troops he sees and crosses the Venetian plain, which is flat countryside, without many roads as it gets closer to the sea. Eventually, Frederic stows away on a passing truck with a canvas-covered bed. He climbs under the canvas, and rests with the guns. He is hungry.