Page:The Pilgrims' March.djvu/77

Rh would be about the last to be arrested. Sir Harcourt Butler would not have the courage to lay hands upon him and his friend Rajasaheb of Mahmudabad would decline to retain his office if he was to be arrested. I marvel at Sir. Harcourt Butler’s philosophic courage. Panditji has been working against tremendous odds. He has been battling against his old enemy asthma. I know that he has never worked for his rich clients nor even for the afflicted Panjab as he has slaved for pauper India. I have pleaded with him to take rest. He has refused to do so. I rejoice to think that he will now have respite from the din that was wearing him out.

But my joy was greater for the thought, that what I had feared would not happen before the end of the year, because of the sin of Bombay, was now happening by reason of the innocent suffering of the greatest and the best in the land. These arrests of the totally innocent is real Swaraj. Now there is no shame in the Ali Brothers and their companions remaining in goal. India has not been found undeserving of their immolation.

But my joy, which I hope thousands share with me? is conditional upon perfect peace being observed whilst our leaders are one after