Chapter 28

           Aswemovedoutthroughthetownitwasemptyintherainandthedarkexceptforcolumnsoftroopsandgunsthatweregoingthroughthemainstreet.Thereweremanytruckstooandsomecartsgoingthroughonotherstreetsandconvergingonthemainroad.Whenwewereoutpastthetanneriesontothemainroadthetroops,themotortrucks,thehorse-drawncartsandthegunswereinonewideslow-movingcolumn.Wemovedslowlybutsteadilyintherain,theradiatorcapofourcaralmostagainstthetailboardofatruckthatwasloadedhigh,theloadcoveredwithwetcanvas.Thenthetruckstopped.Thewholecolumnwasstopped.Itstartedagainandwewentalittlefarther,thenstopped.Igotoutandwalkedahead,goingbetweenthetrucksandcartsandunderthewetnecksofthehorses.Theblockwasfartherahead.Ilefttheroad,crossedtheditchonafootboardandwalkedalongthefieldbeyondtheditch.IcouldseethestalledcolumnbetweenthetreesintherainasIwentforwardacrossfromitinthefield.Iwentaboutamile.Thecolumndidnotmove,although,ontheothersidebeyondthestalledvehiclesIcouldseethetroopsmoving.Iwentbacktothecars.ThisblockmightextendasfarasUdine.Pianiwasasleepoverthewheel.Iclimbedupbesidehimandwenttosleeptoo.SeveralhourslaterIheardthetruckaheadofusgrindingintogear.IwokePianiandwestarted,movingafewyards,thenstopping,thengoingonagain.Itwasstillraining.

           Thecolumnstalledagaininthenightanddidnotstart.IgotdownandwentbacktoseeAymoandBonello.