wearing his grandfathers hunting boots to protect his legs from the poisonous , ubiquitous vipere that populated his town , and carrying a knapsack filled with sausages , cheese , bread , and wine , he went to meet pierluigi and elio on the bridge at the edge of town : the clear water of the sangro river broke like crystal over its rocks , as trout rose to the surface and flipped their tails into the cool air .