The Serbian had just returned from a scouting search when suddenly we heard the command, “Halt. Where are you going?”
“We are going to a doctor,” answered Nikolai.
“All of you? And for what?” said the guard.
“Look at the lady for our answer,” said Nikolai.
“It looks like cholera. Who are you?” asked the guard.
“Her brother,” said Nikolai, and the Croatian assured the guard that he was my husband. Three of them, the Serbian, the Croatian, and the Austrian soldier produced their papers.
Facing Nikolai, the guard persisted, “Where are you from?”
“The village over there,” answered Nikolai, pointing back. “There are whole families ill, all needing medical care. When we obtain some drugs we will return to the village. We must locate a doctor soon.”
“What doctor?” asked the guard.
“There used to be a doctor over the bridge,” said the Serbian, pointing straight ahead.