42 IN THE VISION OF GOD
person, I struggled hard many a time to break away from
you hut in vain. I am inextricably caught in the clutches of
this fell vice—and you, wretch, have brought about this
ruin for your selfish ends. The intoxication of this soul-
destroying drug has weakened my will, destroyed niy
memory and distorted my reasoning faculty. I began to
babble incoherently like a maniac under its influence. I
knew I was going down and down into a bottomless pit of
perdition—dragged down by your pitiless hands. '0 God,'
I used to cry out often, 'save me, save me.' In spite of my
unchanged condition, I trusted Him. I was sure He -would
help me out. The day has come. I give you up for good.
God has at last called me away. All praise to Thee,
0 Lord,11
Hcrw his eyes were wet with tears, he was trembling
like a leaf in the wind. He stood up, made straight for the
outer entrance, and passing out vanished into the darkness.
This scene was intently watched by all the sadhus.
Ranidas turned to Ramcharandas and asked:
"What do you think of it Ram?"
"I did not bargain for this disturbance," he replied.
"Whereas Ramdas enjoyed it all—it was a play worth
witnessing. However, what do you say to a move
tomorrow ?"
"Why not, by all means," qiiickly rejoined Rana-
charandas.
Meanwhile a quarrel was in progress between the guest-
sadhu-who had sneaked away when Rarngiri was growing
hot in his denunciation of his guru—and another sadhn, his
neighbour, who appeared to have encroached upon Ms room
during his short absence. They created quite a racket. The
night was spent in pandemonium.
Ramdas and Ramcharandas abandoned the place next
morning and came out of the temple. Having finished their
midday meal at another devotee's house, who was also kind
and hospitable, they wended their way to the beach-side.