Chapter 4: Bad to Worse

"Newkirk, when you go tonight, can you please take this for Robert?" Carter handed him the medicine pouch he had been working on.

"What's in it mate?"

"Just some rocks, an effigy of a hawk and a couple of herbs."

"Does that stuff really work?"

"My mom hung one on my bed and it protected me."

"Well Andre I think it is a lovely idea." LeBeau commented while putting the finishing touches on Shultz's apple strudel.

"All right Newkirk, are you ready to go?" Newkirk just nodded "Okay lets see if we can talk Shultz into giving you a ride. Carter you mind calling our favorite German taxi?" Ordered Hogan

Carter went out to find Shultz. "There you are. Colonel Hogan would like to speak with you."

"He better not be up to any monkey business. I have been working a long shift and I am tired."

"It will just take a moment. I also think LeBeau just finished baking some apple strudel."

Upon hearing the magic words, Shultz was headed to barrack two. When he opened the door, he fallowed his nose to the strudel. "Cockroach, You don't suppose I could have a bite or two?"

"Maybe."

"We need a favor from you. Newkirk needs a ride to see Maria…" Hogan was interrupted.

"Colonel Hogan I am tired. I just came off of a long shift. I just want a bite of strudel and then it is off to bed. Besides, you are not suppose to be running around outside of camp."

"Then I guess you are too tired for strudel." LeBeau started to serve the rest of the men a piece.

"This isn't fair. All right but first the strudel."

Shultz told Klink he was going to check on Maria and he would be back later. He pulled up to the house and he and Newkirk got out and went inside. "Hi fellas. I just laid Robert down to go to sleep. What brings you by at this hour?"

"Shultz, you mind plugging your ears or waiting outside? Colonel Hogan said he could get Corporal Cummings to London and that I am to take 'im back to camp to get processed."

"This is some sort of trick. How is it that POW's can come and go as they please? I don't understand this." Cummings asked while scratching his head.

"Your not suppose to. Anything you need luv?"

"No, we are fine."

"Well Cummings, are you ready?"

They all left to goback to camp.About a half a mile from the house, Newkirk yelled for Shultz to stop the truck. "What is it Newkirk?"

"Carter gave me this 'ere medicine pouch to give to Maria and it clean slipped my mind. Lets go back so I can give it to 'er. Sorry mate, it will be just a little bit longer before we get there." Shultz turned the truck around and started to head back toward the house when there was an explosion next to the truck. The explosion caused the truck to run off the road and roll down the hill. Cummings came to and started to look around. Shultz was unconscious but still behind the wheel. Cummings looked to the side of him where Newkirk was, but he wasn't there. Very carefully he checked everything to make sure nothing was broken and tried to wake Shultz up. After a while, Shultz started to stir. "What happened?" Shultz asked as he put his hand up to his head to try and stop the pounding.

"There was an explosion. Newkirk isn't here."

"Where's the Englander?"

"I don't know. When I came to he was gone." Shultz and Cummings got out of the truck. Shultz found a flashlight and the started looking. "Newkirk. Hey Newkirk where are you?" No answer. Shultz and Cummings started walking up the path the truck had rolled down.

"Hey look." There lying on the ground was the medicine pouch that Newkirk was suppose to give to Maria." Shultz picked it up and put it in his pocket.

"He must be around here some where. He just couldn't disappear." Commented Cummings. Then it started to snow. "Were going to freeze to death out here. This is not my idea of a rescue. I need to have a talk with Colonel Hogan about this."

"We will stay with Maria. She is closer than Stalag 13. Lets go. Maybe…ooph! That hurt." Shultz looked at what he had just tripped over. There was Newkirk. Shultz and Cummings rushed to Newkirk's side. Cummings put his hand on Newkirk's neck and could barley feel a pulse.

"He's still alive. Lets get him back to the house."

Shultz being very warm blooded and use to the cold weather, took his long coat off and laid it on the ground. Carefully the two men laid Newkirk in it and buttoned it. It took a while, but eventually they made it to the house.

"Hay Maria open the door. Its cold out here and Newkirk is hurt" Cummings shouted as he kicked at the door.

Maria opened the door and stood to the side so they could come in. "What happened? Did it have anything to do with the explosion I heard?"

"Yea. There was a big boom and down the hill we rolled. " Shultz explained as he and Cummings laid Newkirk on the couch.

Maria noticed a big gash on Newkirk's forehead "Cummings, bring me some towels, the first aid kit in the hall closet and some blankets. Shultz get a pan of water." Everyone did as they were ordered. While they were gone, Maria unbuttoned the coat to see if there are any more injuries. When the men came back with the supplies, she immediately started to clean the head wound and bandage it. "That's all we can do for him for now. Your next Shultz."

Shultz looked puzzled "Me? I am fine."

Maria walked up to Shultz and had him sit down "You have a cut on your cheek. We don't want it to get infected. If it does you wont be able to eat" Maria teased Shultz didn't know if she was telling the truth or not, but he didn't want to take any chances.

"How are you doing Cummings?"

"I am fine. My head hurts just a little though."

Maria led Cummings to the lamp and looked into his eyes. "Normal pupil response. Now follow my finger with your eyes." Cummings did as he was told. "Normal also. That's a good sign. I have done all I can for Newkirk, lets all get some sleep."

BARRACK TWO

"It's 530 in the morning. Where are they?" They should have been back hours ago. It isn't like they were walking." Hogan was pacing in his office and talking with Kinch.

"Colonel, do you want me to go out and look for them?"

"No it is going to be difficult enough trying to explain one missing prisoner. The other question is why isn't Shultz back also?"

"Do you think that with the snow, they decided to stay with Maria?"

"I hope so.If Newkirk is any place other than there or in German custody, I'm going to court-martial him!"

KOMMANDANTOUR

"Langenscheidt, Have you heard from Shultz yet?" Klink asked worried

"Nein Herr Kommandat"

"I hope that due to the weather, he stayed at the house." Shultz could get on his nerve, but he was the only person he could truly call a friend, and he couldn't help but worry about him.

The next morning, Langenscheidt went into barrack two to do roll call. It was too cold to be outside. "Now everyone line up."

As they were doing as ordered, Hogan asked, "Where's Shultz?"

"Don't know. He didn't come back last night."

"The only escape on Klink's record is one of his own men." LeBeau commented. All the men started laughing.

"Eins…Zwei…Drei…Vier…Fünf…Sechs…Hay didn't I already count you" Langenscheidt asked Carter.

"I don't think so. I've been standing here the entire time." Hogan got Langenscheidt's attention so someone else could move between the front of the line and Carter. Langenscheidt turned around and started counting again. When he got to Carter he said, " I guess you were right. Sieben…"

Hogan turned Langenscheidt around again so the person could go back to their place in line."I think you owe Carter an apology. Accusing him of trying to trick you. You aught to be ashamed."

Langenscheidt turned to face Carter "I'm sorry Carter."

"Its ok. No hard feelings."

Hogan started to escort Langenscheidt to the door. "Now I think you need to leave before you cause any more trouble."

Langenscheidt stopped and faced the prisoners. "Hey I didn't finish counting the prisoners."

"Trust me they are all here. Hopper what number are you" Hogan pointed to the last man in the row."

"Fünfzehn Sir." Hopper answered.

"See I told you they are all here. There is suppose to be fifteen men in the barracks and he is number fifteen."

"You were right. Thanks for your help." Langenscheidt said as he left.

"That was close Colonel. What do we do now?" Kinch asked.

"We can't go out. The footprints in the snow would be a dead giveaway and could end the entire operation. We will just have to wait a little while longer."

KOMMANDANTUR

That afternoon, the sun came out and warmed the temperature up. The roads were safe to drive on so Klink decided to check things out and to see if he could find Shultz. "Fräulein Helga I am going to see if Shultz is at the house. I will be back later. If I am not back by this afternoon, Please call Colonel Beauman and tell him what happened."

"Jawol Herr Kommandant."

Klink got in his staff car and headed toward his house.

THE HOUSE

Maria woke up and went into the living room and found every one still asleep. She went to check on Newkirk. Still breathing so that's a good sign. Breakfast ought to wake them up. She went into the kitchen and started to make some toast, hash browns and potato pancakes. In a short time, Shultz was peaking his head around the corner.

"Do I smell toast, hash browns and potato pancakes?"

"Yes. They'll be ready in just a moment."

Shultz sat at the table and played with Robert while he patiently waited for breakfast. A few minutes later, Cummings walked in the kitchen "What is that smell?"

"Toast, hash browns and my favorite…potato pancakes." Shultz answered with a dreamy look in his eyes.

"Potato pancakes? That don't even sound good. Why cant you people eat normal food."

"Cummings, you have to remember that in different parts of the world, normal food has a different definition. Even in the US. In some parts of the USas well asin other countries, they eat bugs and rattle snakes and alligator and opossums. To them, that is normal."

"That ain't normal. That's road kill!"

"Have you tried any of that stuff? You don't have to eat it if you don't want to. The choice is yours."

Cummings sat down at the table and ate his toast and hash browns. He sniffed the potato pancakes and turned his nose. He held his breath and took a small bite "Hey these ain't half bad." Maria and Shultz just shook their head.

When they were finished eating, Cummings did the dishes while Shultz played with Robert. Maria checked on Newkirk. Shultz asked in a solemn voice "Is he going to be all right?"

"I hope so. He is still alive so that is a good sign. We need to let Colonel Hogan know he is all right and get Cummings to him also."

"Please don't ask me to do anything that will get me into more trouble. Oh before I forget, Carter made this for you to put on his cradle."

Maria took it. "Tell him thanks. Shultz I…Oh no." Maria went to the window to see who was there. "It's Klink! Cummings Take Robert into the bedroom and try to keep him quiet."

"What about Newkirk? I am going to be in such big trouble. I can see I am going to need to start packing for the Russian front."

"Let me handle it Shultz. Just follow my lead if you can. If not, do what you always do and know nothing."

Klink walked in the door and the first thing he noticed was Newkirk lying on the couch. "That is that man doing here?"

"Isn't that Major Hochsteter's line? Any way. He tried to escape by hiding in the back of the truck. Shultz didn't know he was back there until after the accident."

"What accident?"

"There was an explosion on the road that sent the truck rolling down the hill. When I was walking back up the hill, I tripped over him. Since the weather was bad, I brought him here." Shultz answered Not bad Shultz. There might be hope for you yet. Maria thought with a hidden smile.

"Is he ok? He doesn't look so good."

"He hasn't come to yet." Maria answered.

"Maria are you going to be all right. I am going to take Newkirk back to camp and when he comes to, throw him in the cooler for thirty days! Shultz get him and put him in my staff car. Where's Robert?" Klink ordered about to loose his temper.

"He is in the bedroom sleeping."

"Well I wont disturb him then. You know you have only a couple days left with him?"

Maria nodded her head. She kept praying that that day would never come. She didn't want to give up Robert. Shultz, Newkirk and Klink all left back for camp. "You can come out now. Their gone."

"There went my way to go home. Now what am I suppose to do?" Cummings complained as he walked out of the room with Robert.

"Be patient. Just because there is a slight delay, doesn't mean you are not going home. Give Colonel Hogan a chance."

STALAG 13

"Hay Colonel, Klink and Shultz are back." Hogan and the rest of the men joined Carter at the window.

"Look! Shultz is caring someone. Its Newkirk!" LeBeau exclaimed

Hogan and the men rushed outside and up to Shultz. "What happened? Is he ok?" Hogan asked concerned.

"There was an accident, he hasn't gained consciousness yet. I am going to put him in the infirmary."

"LeBeau get Wilson and tell him to meet us there." Hogan ordered.

LeBeau ran off to do as ordered. A short time latter, Wilson was there checking Newkirk out. When Wilson pushed down on Newkirk's ribs, he let out a low moan. "Seems like he has a cracked rib. The rest of his injuries are minor. Kinch, can you sit him up so I can wrap his ribs."

Kinch carefully sat Newkirk up and Wilson wrapped his ribs. Newkirk let out another moan and his eyes fluttered opened "What the blo…Why does it feel like I have been run over by a truck?"

"That is because you sort of have." Wilson answered

Newkirk looked at Wilson for a moment. "And who might you be mate?"