Page:MKGandhi patriot.djvu/167

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152
AN INDIAN PATRIOT

vides. So the batteries of the Reef crush criminal savage and conscientious Indian without distinction. We have heard that Mr. Gandhi's experiences during that night were extremely shocking. Again the cast-iron regulations were at fault. As a native prisoner of the criminal class, he was locked into a cell with native and Chinese convicts, men more degraded than it is easy to imagine, accustomed to vices which cannot be named. This refined Indian was obliged to keep himself awake all night to resist possible assaults upon himself, such as he saw perpetrated around him. That night can never be forgotten.

October 28th.

Once more we have seen him. The Crown required Mr. Gandhi yesterday and to-day at the Court as a witness in some trial, and we saw and spoke to him. He look thin and unkempt. The wretched fool, and his gaol experiences, have told sensibly on his health. But his soul is calm and his mind dear. "It is all well," he said in his quick incisive way.

Two children, greatly attached to him, accompanied their friend on his return march to the Fort. They walked in line with him, for a long distance up the dusty road, in hope of attracting his attention,