Page 48 - LEIBY

48 Leiby – Border Smuggler

eastern bank of the Vistula River. Volodya, who usually was
occupied all hours of the day planning battle strategies and
deciphering encoded messages from spies working for the
army, and never had a moment to spare, was now relaxed and at
ease, and listened attentively to the boys’ request.

“You want military aid in rescuing your sister?” Volodya
drummed with his fingers on the tabletop.

Yosef nodded. Yes, that was exactly what he wanted.

“Listen, the villages that you want us to enter are swarming
with armed Polish rebels and Ukrainian Benderovic gangsters,
and gunfights are commonplace there,” Volodya said after some
thought. “Even the police and armed forces try to refrain from
going to the area. What I can do for you is to give you use of a
military vehicle, but at least for part of the way, you’ll all have
to wear civilian clothing and ride in a horse and cart instead of
the car. You must avoid arousing unnecessary attention. Come
back here tomorrow afternoon and be prepared to set out on
your journey.”

Yosef and Leiby thanked Volodya profusely and took their
leave.