Page:The Pilgrims' March.djvu/134

114 my departure from Calcutta. A friend sent to me by the Government gave me a timely warning to this effect. But I regret that I had to disappoint the Government in this respect also as well as another as my creed at the present moment is not to obey but to disobey.

I decided this on full consideration. For many reasons my presence here was indispensable. By resaonsreasons [sic] I mean that any time that is available should not be wasted. By the grace of God the opportunity now given to Calcutta is much more valuable and important than anything else and I am sure I am not wrong in this belief.

The Government has very kindly relieved me of the great responsibility by deciding on my arrest. God alone knows how much it pained me to have remained outside the jail so far. Those who go ahead scarcely know the feelings of those left behind. Mohammad Ali, Shaukat Ali, Lala Lajpat Rai and Pandit Motilal Nehru have completed their journeys while I am still lagging behind in the way. I have now begun to feel that I am coming to the end of my journey and my heart is full of joy and happiness because I am leaving the last but a successful field behind.

I have called the present field of activity