path.

"The cave we found was an ideal spot and perfectly suited to Baba's requirements. Herbert had thought out everything with such care that there was nothing left to be desired. Herbert is always very meticulous and careful in all he undertakes. The light was beginning to go a little as we entered the woods. It was just after sunset. I remember the birds and their song dying away gradually.

We settled Baba in and he told us that no one must look at him and, above all, not to touch him.

"It was arranged that Herbert and Chanji were to keep watch outside the cave during the night, to be relieved by Kaka and myself at 9 o'clock the next morning. Baba said that Kaka and I were to go to mass at 7 A.M. the next morning and then we were to kiss the Tomb of St. Francis. We bade them goodnight and found our intricate way out of the woods.

"It was just alter sunset and the plain below, with Assisi in the distance, glowed in the rosy light. "Kaka and I were entranced by the beauty of the scene. Somehow that, coupled with the unusual fact of having left a Perfect Master in the cave of a Saint, moved Kaka so much that he began to talk as we walked down to the town; and I never imagined that he had such a flow of language or such a vocabulary. He especially told me of Meredith's visit to India — and I had never heard this account before and was vastly interested.

"We got up at 6 o'clock and collected the food and necessaries which we had to take up to the Carceri for breaking the fast that evening. (We had gotten back to the town a little before 9 P.M. and, after wandering a little, we went to the hotel and to bed.) It was a glorious day, and already very warm when we left the hotel at 6:45. At 7 o'clock we went to the mass at the Church of St. Francesco which was held in the crypt, leaving our gear outside. We were surrounded by monks and priests, and knelt by the tomb of St. Francis; it was a wonderful and impressive beginning to a memorable day.

"After mass we shouldered our rucksacks and toiled up the streets through Assisi to the hills of Monte Subasio. As we got out of town, it began to get warmer and warmer.

"Poor Kaka was laden down, and not in such good training as I, so we had to stop from time to time for him to rest and get his breath and cool off. At last we arrived, a little late — about 9:15, and we were glad to reach the cool shade of the wood where we found Herbert and Chanji waiting for as after a wakeful night.

"Nothing had transpired and there had been no interruptions of the calm and peace which pervaded the woods. We settled down to our vigil outside the cave. Herbert and Chanji returned to Assisi to rest.

"The sun rose higher, but we were well shaded from the heat by the trees. An intense calm was everywhere, but the woods were alive with birds whose song was deafening. As if in memory of St. Francis, they seemed to throng around us. Butterflies were often near; several lit on our hands and bodies.

"Gradually it grew warmer, and even in the deep shade, one felt the heat of midsummer.

"Towards midday I heard sounds from inside the cave. Forgetting Baba's instructions about not looking at him, I saw him stand up with his eyes shut and face the sun. He made strange noises. Not daring to look again, I lay quiet.

"At one o'clock he clapped his hands. We pulled away the branches from the entrance. Taking the board he spelt out directions, telling Kaka to go to Assisi and ask Herbert and Chanji to be with him at 4:30, but that I was to call him there.

"Baba came out of the cave but told us not to come near him or touch him. He walked about alone in the woods for half-an-hour and then went into the cave again.

"Poor Kaka made another pilgrimage down to Assisi while I kept watch. It was the hottest hour of the day.