The roads are crowded with armed troops, trucks, and carts as everyone is joining the retreat. There is a block on the road causing all movement to repeatedly stall. Frederic and Piani sleep until they hear the vehicles starting up again. At night, the column stalls again. Frederic checks on Aymo and Bonello, who have picked up two sergeants. The latter have lost their units. Aymo has also picked up two sisters who are scared and desperate. He gives them some food and eventually calms them.

The column starts again, but Frederic is worried that they will never reach Udine. He also worries that if the rain stops, then it will be easy for Austrian planes to bomb them, and then the road would be completely stalled. He realizes they need to get off the main road and take a side road. They see an abandoned farmhouse and find cheese and apples to eat, plus wine. The sergeants are worried about time and suggest they leave soon. They head back on the road.

The next day they get stuck in the mud about 10 kilometers from their goal, the town of Udine. Frederic realizes they need to cut down some brush to put under the wheels.