Maria walked behind the tombstone and knelt down behind it. Georg went behind the other one but he kept standing watching for the nazis. Maria was watching Georg when Gretl asked" Mother should we sing My Favorite Things." "No darling this is one time we need to be very quiet." Come by me and I will hold you close if you are scared" said Maria quietly. Gretl held onto Maria tight and buried her head in Marias shoulder.
All of a sudden they heard footsteps. Georg looked towards the stairs and saw lights followed by a group of nazi soldiers. Georg motioned for Maria and the children to be quiet. Georg knelt down. He looked at Maria and saw the fear in her eyes. He hoped she would not see the same in his. The soldiers checked the gates to the tombstones one at a time. They arrived at the two that the family were hiding behind. As they shone the flashlight over each tombstone Maria and Georg hoped they would not be found. Finally the soldiers were satisfied that they were gone. As the soldiers went back down the stairs , one soldier decided to look a little longer. As he walked by the gate he turned and Liesl gasped as she saw that it was Rolf. Georg and Maria both looked at her. Rolf turned realizing that someone was still there. Rolf pretended to go away but instead he hid behind a tombstone. Georg motioned for Maria and the children to get up and come to the gate. Just at that point Rolf jumped out from behind the tombstone and surprised the family. As Rolf was about to blow his whistle to alert the other soldiers Georg opened the gate and rushed him asking him to wait. Rolf obviously scared pulled his gone and told Georg to stop.
"It's you we want not them" Rolf said. Georg could see the boy was scared as the gun in his hand was shaking as he pointed it at him.
"Rolf you don't want to do this. Come away with us. I know you still have feelings for Liesl. Your young why be like them" Georg said as he tried to get the boy to think.
"I want to be like them. I have no family. They are my family" said Rolf. Just then Mother Superior appeared. She was surprised to see Rolf standing there. Rolf turned and pointed the gun at her. Mother Superior walked over to him and quietly said to him" Young man why do you point that gun at me. I am not a danger to you. The dangerous people are the men you call your family. This is house of God and there will be no blood shed here. Now please give me the gun before it goes off.
Rolf looked at her and realized what he was doing was wrong. He gave her the gun and started to walk away.
Liesl called out to him to wait. She ran to him and hugged him" thank you for not turning us in. Please come with us."
Rolf looked at her and said "No Liesl I know what I must do. I have decided to join the Austrian resistance. I can do much more by fighting the nazis here. Thank you Mother, Captain for showing me what a real family is." Rolf took one last look at Liesl as he ran down the stairs.
Liesl ran into her fathers arms sobbing. Georg held his daughter and said" Rolf is a very brave young man. You should be proud of him. What he is doing for our country is very important and I will always remember it".
"I will keep watch over him and keep him as safe as I can. When you have settled Maria will get word to me and I will try to get a letter to you from him" Mother Superior said to Liesl.
Liesl smiled at Mother Superior and walked back over to Maria. The family said their goodbyes to Mother Superior and the rest of the nuns. The family went back to their car and headed for the mountain. Maria directed Georg where to go. They seemed to drive for a long time until they finally reached the end of the dirt road. It was starting to get light out and Maria showed Georg where they could cross safely. All the children got out of the car and took their knapsacks. Georg led the way. Gretl was very tired so he picked her up and carried her. As dawn broke the family was just reaching the pass. georg pointed to where the Swiss border was. As they reached the border Georg looked back at his beloved country and vowed that he would return. Georg turned and saw the Swiss guards waiting for them. God bless Max he thought to himself. As they crossed the border a tall bearded man stepped out of a large car he walked to the captain
"Baron Von Trapp I presume. I am a good friend of Max Dettweiller. He called me and explained your situation. We welcome you and your family to Switzerland. You will always be safe here"
"How do you do sir. May I present my wife and children. Max arranged for us to have a house in a town not too far from here. Can you give us a ride? The children are very tired and my wife is expecting a baby. I don't think they could walk another step." said Georg as he put Gretl down.
"The car is yours sir and I have the keys to your house and directions. Max arranged for everything. In the car you will also find a passport for a Swiss bank account in your name. Max told me you had him transfer the money the day you left" said the bearded gentlemen."Oh my name is Hans Rueger.