Page 30 - LEIBY

30 Leiby – Border Smuggler

Chapter 4

Leiby felt every nerve in his body tense up. What was that
sound that he just heard, now, in the middle of the night? He
listened again. Yes, there was no doubt. Someone was opening
the door of his house. In one quick motion, Leiby bounded out
of his bed, ran to the window and jumped out. He got to the
front door just in time to greet the unknown person who was
leaving his home.
A short figure ran out of the door and Leiby’s heart skipped a
beat. “Stop! Stop!”
Yosef Lieder ran down the street, completely ignoring Leiby.
Without any hesitation, Leiby ran after him. The city was dark
and desolate at that time of night, and the faint streaks of light
that were beginning to appear in the sky were the only hint
that sunrise was imminent. Leiby was strong and robust but he
was no match for the quick-footed Yosef. The young boy ran
through the streets in a frenzy, as if a whole pack of Nazis was
after him.
Finally, after a prolonged chase, he tripped on a large stone and
fell face-down onto the sidewalk. Leiby reached him and lifted
him up gently. “Where are you going, Yosef ?” he asked.
Yosef ’s eyes darted around, clearly unnerved. “I’m going to find