Page 105 - LEIBY

Chapter 13 105

almost swallowed up by the gusts of wind blustering fiercely on
the train windows.

Leiby blessed the darkness that had fallen over the area during
their journey. In his experience, darkness was always beneficial
in times of danger.

‘Stop – Border Ahead’ read the huge signpost at the side of the
railroad tracks. Leiby’s heart skipped a couple of beats. This was
it. He had arrived at the border without any ID papers at all. He
had to be careful, alert, and totally on the ball.

The train stopped, and powerful lights were shined onto the
passengers who alighted the train and walked stumblingly
forward. The border guards examined each passengers’
documents thoroughly and painstakingly, and several suspects
were ordered to step aside. Leiby looked at them from behind
the open cover of the engine.

The inspection was official and meticulous. The soviet soldiers
bore no comparison to their genial and cordial counterparts
who had been stationed at the border just after the liberation
and had often turned a blind eye to many less than impeccable
documents. These soldiers checked every piece of paper with an
eagle eye and let no suspect slip away. Leiby’s heart thudded.
Would his turn arrive too?

And indeed, eventually two soldiers approached and stood
beside him.

“Your documents!” One of them demanded.

Leiby pretended not to hear. He continued to fiddle with the
open engine.

“You’re ignoring us,” the soldiers admonished. “Show us your
papers!”

“I’m in the middle of work, you can wait a little,” Leiby replied,
aggravated. “You’re disturbing me.”

The soldiers waited patiently, never taking their eyes off him.
Leiby stood in front of the open engine for as long as he dared,