“It’s the insignia of the Russians! The soldiers were likely not coming at behest of the poritz, but perhaps to fight the poritz!”

There was nowhere to escape. R’ Yosef and R’ Berel lifted their gazes upward and began davening to Hashem. The soldiers were nearing them, so close that they could see the flaring nostrils of the horses galloping ever closer. And then, as if they were invisible, the soldiers and their horses galloped past them. They passed so close that the men could feel the wind as they rushed by.

“I can’t understand what’s happening here.” R’ Berel shook his head as more soldiers poured forth from the dark forest path. “They’re all headed to town, but why? It’s almost like a war is going to break out! We’ve seen a few soldiers traveling to our city before, but not entire battalions!”

“We should hurry up and see what’s going on.” R’ Yosef yanked on the reigns. Off they went, their stomachs knotted with anxiety. They feared that perhaps this was connected to the evil poritz. Perhaps he was planning something against the Jews?

“Stop the wagon!” R’ Berel suddenly cried out. “Look here on the floor. One of the soldiers dropped his shield.”

R’ Yosef stopped the wagon and R’ Berel hopped out.

“Aha! It’s the insignia of the Russians! The soldiers were likely not coming at behest of the poritz, but perhaps to fight the poritz!”