It was six in the evening when we came upon an advanced Italian
post. The sentinel stopped us with a "Halt!" He was pointing his
rifle at us, showing that he would shoot if we advanced. He called
for his superior. We were searched and taken into their quarters.
An officer soon came in. Through an interpreter he asked us for our
names, regiments, and army branches. He gave each of us a package of
cigarettes.
Only then I understood that we were received as guests. When the
officer gave us the cigarettes, saying "Bravo, Russi!" the soldiers
began showering us with cigarettes, chocolate, and confetti. One
soldier guessed better than the rest; he brought us a dish of soup,
meat, and a bottle of wine. After this there was a regular wedding
feast. Each of the soldiers brought something to eat, cheese, butter,
sardines. We, knowing our condition, abstained from eating too much.
Thinking that on the following day we would have to suffer hunger
again, we put all the presents into a bag presented us by one of the
Italians. Thus we accumulated about fifteen pounds of bread, cheese,
butter, chocolate, lard, and boiled beef. Then the Italians noticed
that our clothes were wet, and began presenting us with underwear and
clothing, so that we soon changed our appearance. We were anxious to
converse with them. The interpreter, who spoke Russian imperfectly, had
a great deal of work. Just the same, I will never in my life forget
his first words in Russian, as he asked us, by order of the officer:
"Who are you--brothers?" In tears we answered him that we were Russian
officers escaped from captivity; he asked it so kindly, and we were
infinitely gladdened by his sweet words.
The following day we were taken to the corps headquarters. Officers
would come in, shake hands--some even kissed us, which embarrassed us.
Unwittingly tears would come to our eyes when we recalled our life in
the prison camp and this sudden change for the better.
The General also visited us. He pressed our hands, gave each of us a
package of cigarettes, and presented us with 10 lire in gold. We wanted
to decline the money, but the interpreter said, "Take," and we did.
We lived for about a month in Italy. What a noble people!--soldiers,
civilians, and officers. It is impossible to describe! At every station
(on the way to France) the public would surround us, all anxious to do
us some favours, all showing their deep affection for the Russians.
Once a Sister of Mercy was distributing coffee to our party as the
train began to move. She ran along till the train gained full speed,
desiring not to leave some of us without coffee. Our soldiers would
wonder at the affection of the entire Italian people for the Russians,
and would shout incessantly: "Viva Italia! Viva Italia!"