The Silver Sword

Main events, Chapters 1-7

• Joseph Balicki is arrested and sent to Zakyna, a brutal work camp in the mountains of Southern Poland.

• Joseph hides in a cable car and is discovered by a Polish peasant; the peasant and his wife hide Joseph for a couple of weeks, at great danger to themselves.

• Joseph walks for a month until he reaches Warsaw, but finds his family gone and his home burned down.

• Joseph gives Jan the silver sword, in return for his promise that if Jan sees his children he will tell them that he is making for their grandparents' home in Switzerland, and that they should meet him there.

• Ruth, Edek and Bronia live in the cellar of a ruined house.

• Edek is taken by the police.