Page 107 - LEIBY

Chapter 13 107

engine.”

The air was thick with tension. The discussion had been going
on for far too long for the soldiers’ liking, and they were
determined to end it.

“Come with us,” they ordered Leiby, and began marching with
him in the direction of the station. Leiby turned round and
cast a look at the train. Its lights seemed to Leiby like a lifeline
vanishing rapidly into the distance and the hum of the engine
revving up to resume travel was maddening.

He stopped abruptly, pulled a hefty bundle of rubles out of his
pocket and thrust it into the soldier’s hands. “I have to go now,
goodbye.”

The sensation of the crackling ruble notes led the soldiers to
rethink about the necessity of the arrest, and Leiby seized the
moment of indecision to run like a madman and jump onto the
train just as it was gaining speed. He hung for a moment on the
handle of the back door, and slowly slid into the carriage.

The train sped up. Leiby’s heart leaped in exhilaration. He had
done it! He had crossed the border and was now finally in free
Poland!