Page:The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 2.djvu/177

 going on. They told the natives they had appointed a dwarf native as their leader. They were highly amused with this diminutive chap, who marched up and down in front of their ranks officering them, while they went through a number of exercises with their sticks, and danced and whooped. This proved an excellent diversion to keep the natives out of trouble. Later on, Supt. Alexander appeared on horseback and moved them off the Square.

Your Memorialists cannot do better than quote again from the same paper of 14th a description as to how the steamers were brought in, and what happened then:


 * Great uncertainty was felt on board the vessels as to what form the Demonstration would assume. Capt. Milne, of the Courland, who exhibited the bolder attitude of the two, was allowed to have his vessel taken in first, although she lay further up the coast than the Naderi. He decided that some efforts should be made to protect his passengers, as he had received no assurance from Government that any steps had been taken to do so. He, therefore, had the Union Jack run up at the forecastle head, the red ensign was placed above the ship’s house flag at the main mast, and the red ensign was also exhibited at the stern. His instructions to his officers were to prevent any demonstrators from coming aboard, if possible, but that, if they did come aboard, to haul down the Union Jack and present it to the invaders, his idea being that no Englishman would seek to molest those on board after this surrender. Fortunately, as matters resulted, it was not necessary to have recourse to this action. As the Courland entered the bay, all eyes were on the look-out to see what form the demonstration was taking. A row of people, extending from the south end of the main wharf to some distance along the north pier, could be perceived, but they seemed to take matters very calmly. The Indians on board did not seem much scared, and Mr. Gandhi and a few others who were on deck, looked on with an unperturbed expression. The main body of the demonstrators, who had thronged the vessels at the main wharf, could not be seen from the incoming steamers. The surprise experienced by those on the embankment when they saw the Courland laid alongside the Bluff Channel moorings, was seen by their actions. They were seen to rush hither and thither, entirely at a loss how to proceed, and soon they all left to attend the meeting on Alexandra Square. This was the last that the vessels were to see of the much-talked-of Demonstration. Meanwhile, Mr. Escombe was pulled alongside the Courland in a rowing boat, which was also occupied by Captain Ballard, Port Captain, Mr. Reid, wharfmaster, and Mr. Simpkins, mooring master. The Attorney-General said: ‘Captain Milne, I want you to inform your passengers