|
9: Uncle
<< 8: Storm || 10: Escape >>
Just before my mother's illness we were desperately trying to find a warden who would
be willing to bring us supplies of medicine from "outside" the prison. We looked
at the faces of our various wardens but did not dare to trust them, except for one huge
black portly warden whom the children called "Uncle." I don't know why they
called him "Uncle." He had a broad wide smile that showed white teeth. I decided
to test him, going by the judgment of the children who trusted him, so I strolled up to
him and whispered; "do you think you could bring us some medicines from outside? We
have an address outside and you will be paid for it." Great shock registered on his
face. He quickly walked away from me and I hoped fervently he was not going to report me
to the Japanese. Nothing happened in the following days. When Uncle was on duty, he looked
away from me and I did not dare to repeat our question. About a week later he walked close
to me and whispered the name of the people and their address outside, I told him that I
would give him a slip of paper to give to these people. He nodded and I went into the cell
and quickly wrote on the paper supplied by the P.A., a plea for help from our friends
outside, asking for medicines against bacillaire dysentrie, fever etc. Then I went out of
the cell, stood next to Uncle and when no one was looking I slipped the roll of paper into
his hand. We never managed to find out how Uncle "operated" his mission outside.
We never could have long talks with him. He brought in the medicines and I let the cell of
men (1) know that Uncle was willing to help. So when my mother fell ill with bacillaire
dysentrie she was saved by the medicines smuggled in by Uncle. How deeply grateful we felt
towards this tall, very kind man. When the war was over, heard from the men who were still
in Bantjeuj alive, that several months after we had been transferred to a camp, Uncle had
been caught by the Japanese in his smuggling actions. He was hanged. When I heard this I
cried and cried and even now when I think of this man the tears come to my eyes. Your see,
I was responsible for his death, because I asked him to start smuggling in medicines. But
if he did so for love of Christ, then God the Righteous Judge will judge him accordingly.
<< 8: Storm || 10: Escape >>
|
