Baba chuckled and remarked, "I have been wanting only grass all the while! Where is it?"
By "grass," Baba meant vegetarian food which was generally unavailable in Persia, and because it was unavailable, Masaji had been forced to cook their meals throughout the journey. Driving further, they found watermelons for sale and, after eating a little, Baba gave the rest to Raosaheb who was still in an irritable mood on account of the incident.
They arrived in Baam later that same day and inquiries were made as to how to proceed to Duzdab. They were informed that, if they did not get stranded in the desert along the way, Duzdab could be reached in two days. But they were strongly advised not to go that way; many caravans were known to have perished on the route, or become stuck or buried in the sands. They were also told that the route was extremely dangerous and full of highway bandits. "Don't be foolish!" someone warned them. "No one uses that route. Going across that route is inviting death. If anyone goes that way and reaches Duzdab safely, he is considered to have been granted a second life by Allah."
In the interim, Raosaheb arranged for a quiet rest house on the outskirts of town where they stayed. They bathed for the first time since leaving Isfahan a week ago. Soon after, a discussion took place about returning to Meherabad. As a substitute for Aga Ali, Baba wished to travel with another Persian boy of good character, whom Raosaheb went in search of and found.
The next day, Thursday, 31 October 1929, Gustadji noticed a saintly-looking man, whom the local people held in great reverence, seated in front of a shop opposite their house and told Baba about him. Baba came to the door to see him. As soon as Baba appeared at the door, the saint jumped up from his seat as a mark of respect for Baba, whom he seemed to know. He came forward and kissed Baba's hands. Baba embraced him and the man walked off to return to his seat.
He told all who came to him afterwards, "There is amidst us an Emperor of all Fakirs." Later, Baba had him brought to his room where he sat alone with him.