Ashbury College - Ashburian Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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14 THE AsHBUR1AN A BRIDGE FOR THE MAQUIS lt was in the spring of 1944, when the Germans had decided to crush the resistance movement in the 'maquisf Three determined men, lying in the humid grass, were looking at a bridge, some 500 yards down the track. At the other end of the bridge, the chimney on top of the cabin smoked lightly, evoking the agreeable sight of coffee, the enhancing feeling of warmth . . . But it was cold. Simon lowered his binoculars and puffed in his hands to warm them. He could hear the short breath of Pepe and Marco's teeth clashing in his mouth. 'lt's not fear, you know, Engineerf said Marco in a low voice', 'itls the cold . Simon turned around and winked at him. Then, suddenly, all three held their breath. A soldier had just come out of the cabin, and walked on the bridge, adjusting the sling of his rifle on his shoulder. After a few paces, he went to the balustrade and spat into the stream. Then, he started his solitary walk again, looking at the mountains. Simon thought he heard, very far down in the valley, behind the slopes, a distant and faint rumble. 'lt must be the convoy', he told him- self, 'it will be here in less than an hour, and by that time the bridge will have to be blown'. Simon sighed. 'Letls go', he said. It was hard for him to stop looking at the elegant arch that joined the two slopes, the solid concrete foundations that supported with grace the platform. The bridge gave an impression of strength, power and daring, combined with beauty and elegance. 'Are you dreaming, Comrade? asked Marco. The two men were already up and were loading on their shoulders the heavy sacks that contained the necessary material. Simon straightened himself, took the explosives and followed them. They went down the woody slope. Their soft shoes slid silently on the pine needles. Simon's head, strangely enough, was clear and organized. He had photographed the bridge, he knew where to place the charge, and where to hide the mechanism that would provoke the explosion. He had no questions to ask himself. Last night, a messenger had arrived at their camp. He had asked Simon: 'Are you the engineer? 'lt seems sol 'You have to blow Bridge 22 ovcr the Renansao. A convoy is due to pass at 4 o'clock on the 15th. You have to destroy the bridge to stop it. These are orders'.

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THE ASHBURIAX 15 Simon had had a shock, but nobody asked for his opinion: he had to obey. So he was descending the little path, with a bitter taste in his mouth, which could be either fear or anger. They reached the road. The bridge was a few feet awav, but the thickness of the forest still made them invisible. Thev only 'heard the footsteps of the sentinel, striding along, whistling Lili .llazilwlc to the air. 'l'll take care of the guy , said Nlarco reaching for his knife. Simon stopped him. 'Out of the question! They're six, in the cabin. At the slightest sound we'll have them on our backsl. 'So what? Three partisans against six German regulars. XYe're strongerl. 'VVC want to blow the bridge, nothing more'. Simon was astonished that he could talk that way. He didn't know he had such a sense of duty. Marco put his knife in his belt again. Simon separated the branches. WVhen he's at the other end', he said. They waited a long minute. The sentinel, turning his back on them. went slowly away. 'Now . . . ' They moved furtively. one behind the other, from the forest to the road, then, quickly, jumped in the ravine, where stood the end of the bridge. There was, between the bridge and the rock, a sort of nook, isolated and quiet, where they unloaded their sacks. The footsteps were coming back. 'He'll turn around and go', said Simon very low. VVhen he's at the other end, you make yourselves scarcel. 'But you, comrade? 'I'll do very well alone'. 'It's true you're an engineer', observed Nlarco. This bridge, you must knowf 'Of course', said Simon, sadly. They waited, crouched under the sonorous platform, until the sen- tinel's footsteps faded away at the other end, and then, the two men climbed the ravine. 'VVait for me up there. l'll join you'. They disappeared immediately. ' Simon set to work. He wasnt afraid. :Xnd still, during his work. he wanted to leave everything there and go up into the protective woods. But his hands went on working. building destruction. precise. skilful. He crawled on the metallic beam until he reached the exact place where