Page 133 - Train to Pakistan

the departure of their Muslim friends also stood up to volunteer. Each time
anyone raised his hand the youth said ‘Bravo,’ and asked him to come and sit
apart. More than fifty agreed to join in the escapade.
‘That is enough,’ said the lad, raising his hand. ‘If I need any more volunteers,

I will ask for them. Let us pray for the success of our venture.’
Everyone stood up. Women put their children on the floor and joined the

menfolk. The assembly faced the little cot on which the Granth lay wrapped, and
folded their hands in prayer. The boy turned round to Meet Singh.
‘Will you lead the prayer, Bhaiji?’ he asked tauntingly.
‘It is your mission, Sardar Sahib,’ replied Meet Singh humbly. ‘You lead the

prayer.’
The boy cleared his throat, shut his eyes and began to recite the names of the

Gurus. He ended by asking for the Gurus’ blessings for the venture. The
assembly went down on their knees and rubbed their foreheads on the ground,
loudly proclaiming:

In the name of Nanak,
By the hope that faith doth instill,
By the Grace of God,
We bear the world nothing but good will.

The crowd stood up again and began to chant:

The Sikhs will rule
Their enemies will be scattered

Only they that seek refuge will be saved!

The little ceremonial ended with triumphant cries of Sat Sri Akal. Everyone
sat down except the boy leader. The prayer had given him a veneer of humility.

He joined his hands and apologized to the assembly.
‘Sisters and brothers, forgive me for disturbing you at this late hour; you too,
Bhaiji, and you, Lambardar Sahib, please forgive us for this inconvenience and

for any angry words that I may have uttered; but this is in the service of the
Guru. Volunteers will now adjourn to the other room; the others may rest. Sat Sri
Akal.’

‘Sat Sri Akal,’ replied some of the audience.
Meet Singh’s room on the side of the courtyard was cleared of women and
children. The visitors moved in with the volunteers. More lamps were brought