Chapter 59 Chapter Three Test

So the two boats entered the dock, and the passengers disembarked one after another.However, Mr. Escamby informed the captain that because the white people were still very angry with me and my life was still in danger, my family and I had better wait until dusk to go ashore. At that time, Harbor Police Officer Dato Mr. Mu will escort us to the house.The captain communicated this notice to me, and I agreed to do so.But in less than half an hour, Mr. Lawton came to the captain and said: "I would like to take Mr. Gandhi ashore together, if he does not object. I am the legal counsel of this agency company. Scamby's opinion is impossible." Then he came to see me and said roughly to me: "If you are not afraid, my opinion is that Mrs. Gandhi and the children can go to Mr. Ross Dunji's house in the car first, you and I and follow them on foot. I don't approve of you going into town at night like a thief. I don't think you need to worry about anyone coming to hurt you. It's all quiet now, and the whites are all scattered. Anyway, I think you Shouldn't be sneaking into town." I agreed right away.My wife and children rode safely to Mr. Rosetownji, and having obtained permission from the captain, I went ashore with Mr. Lawton.Mr. Ross Dungee's house was two miles from the docks.

As soon as we landed, several young men recognized me and shouted "Gandhi, Gandhi".Then five or six people rushed over and joined them in shouting together.Mr. Lawton was afraid that it would be difficult to handle more and more people, so he called a rickshaw.I never liked riding a rickshaw and this was my first experience in my life.However, these youths refused to let me get in the car, and even threatened the driver that he would kill him, so the driver hurried away.We had no choice but to move forward, but there were more and more people, and finally we could not move forward.They first grabbed Mr. Lawton, pulled him away, and threw rocks, bricks, and rotten eggs at me, while others snatched my turban, while others slapped and kicked me.I passed out on the ground, grabbed the railing of a house, stood there trying to catch my breath, but couldn't.They rushed over and beat and kicked again.There was a police officer's wife who knew me and she happened to be walking by.This brave lady came, and although there was no sun, she opened her umbrella and stood between the crowd and me.In this way, the wildness of the mob was checked, because it would be difficult for them to beat me without hurting Madame Alexander.

At the same time, an Indian young man saw this scene and rushed to the police station to report.Constable Mr. Alexander sent a team of policemen and told them to circle me up and escort me safely to my destination.They arrived just in time.The police station was on our way, and when we got there, the officer asked me to take refuge there, but I declined his offer.I said, "As soon as they realize their mistake, they will calm down. I believe they are reasonable." I was escorted by the police to the place of Ross Dunji, and I was never harmed again.I was covered in cuts and bruises, but there was no bleeding except in one spot.The ship's doctor, Dr. Daddy Barrow, was also there, and he helped me the most.

It was very quiet in the room, but the white people outside surrounded the room.It was getting late, and the uneasy crowd outside was still shouting: "We must have Gandhi." The quick-sighted police officer had rushed to the scene, and tried to control the crowd with humorous remarks, not threats, although he Not entirely without concerns.He sent word to me thus: "If you want to save your friend's house and property, and your family, you must disguise yourself and escape from this house as I advise you." In this way I faced two contradictory situations on the same day.When the danger to life was but a hypothesis, Mr. Lawton advised me to deal with it openly; and I accepted the advice.And when the danger became a reality, another friend gave me the opposite advice, and I accepted it.Who can be sure whether I did this because I saw my own life in danger, or because I did not want to endanger the lives and property of my friends, the lives of my wife and children?For the first time I bravely faced the crowd, and now I have to disguise myself and run away. Who can say that both actions are right?

There is no point in making judgments about what has happened, whether it was right or wrong.It is instructive to understand them and, if possible, to draw lessons from them.It is difficult to determine what actions a specific person will take in a specific situation.We may also see that judging from a person's apparent actions is a dubious conjecture, because it is based on insufficient data. In any case, the preparation to flee made me forget the pain in my body.At the officer's advice, I put on a police uniform, with a Madrasian turban wrapped around my head like a helmet.I was followed by two detectives, one of whom was dressed as an Indian businessman and had his face smeared to look like an Indian.What the other person was disguised as, I can no longer recall.We went down an alley to a neighboring shop, jumped over the sacks piled up in the warehouse, escaped through the door of that shop, and walked through the crowd to a carriage waiting for us in the street.We got into the car and drove to the police station where Mr. Alexander had advised me to take refuge, and I thanked him and the two detectives.

While I was escaping in this way, Mr. Alexander sang this tune to make fun of the crowd: Hang old Gandhi from the sour apple tree. As soon as he was informed that I had arrived safely at the police station, he announced the news to the crowd: "Well, your game has escaped from a neighboring shop. Now you better go." Some people were very angry. , some laughed, and some didn't believe it at all. "Well then," said the officer, "if you don't believe me, you can send one or two deputies to follow me in and have a look. If they find Gandhi, I'm willing to hand it over to you; if I don't, you will You must go. I am sure you will not destroy Mr. Rostenji's house, or harm Mr. Gandhi's wife and children."

Representatives of the group did indeed search the house, and soon they came out with disappointing news, and finally dispersed, most praising the officer's skill in handling the incident, and a few agitated. The late Mr. Chamberlain, then Secretary of State for the British Colonies, sent a telegram to the Natal Government to punish the troublemakers severely according to law.Mr. Escambe called me in and apologized for my beating and wounding, and said, "Believe me, I wouldn't be pleased with even the slightest personal injury. You have the right to Mr. Lawton's advice and you are facing a bad situation, but if you think about my advice carefully, I believe that this unfortunate incident will not happen. Now if you recognize the person who beat you, I will arrest him and bring him to justice. Mr. Chamberlain also Hope I handle it that way."

Here is my answer to these remarks: "I'm not going to accuse anyone, I might recognize a person or two, but what's the use of punishing them? Besides, I don't blame the rioters, who listened I thought that I was spreading some exaggerated statements in India to slander the white people of Natal. It would not be surprising if they were angry because they listened to these reports. It is the leaders who are to blame people, and yourself, if you will allow me to say so. You could have directed the people properly, but you also listened to Reuters and thought I was exaggerating. I would not accuse anyone, I believe that once When the truth comes to light, they will regret their rashness."

"Could you put in writing what you just said?" said Mr. Escambe, "because I have to wire your opinion to Mr. Chamberlain. I don't intend to make you rush to make a statement. If you If you like, you may consult with Mr. Lawton and other friends before making your final decision. However, I admit that you would do a great deal to restore my peace if you waived the right of prosecution against the troublemaker, and And enhance your own reputation." "Thank you," I said, "I don't need to consult with anyone. I made up my mind before I came to see you. I'm sure I shouldn't charge the person who beat me, and I'm going to put that decision in writing now." .”

Having said that, I wrote him the statement he needed.