He never looked tired or fatigued, and never showed signs of irritation, et cetera. On the contrary, he would encourage us by one trick or another to keep up our spirits and enthusiasm. He would encourage some to tell stories, others jokes, and still others to sing songs, and in this manner, time would pass easily.
Khandala is a famous summer resort and, being a hill station, has a cool, pleasant climate. Sayyed Jamadar (the former police constable of Kasba Peth) had arranged for their stay in a shady grove beside a lake near a beautiful Hindu temple. Jamadar brought cooking utensils from the town; Masaji prepared dhansak (dal cooked with vegetables), which was heartily enjoyed by everyone. This was the first solid meal the men had eaten since leaving Poona three days before.
As a youth, Baba had spent many vacations hiking through these hills and he liked this particular spot and decided they should stay until the next afternoon. After a game of gilli-danda in the evening, all ate supper and retired.
Everyone was awake by seven. Some had blisters on their feet and had difficulty walking in leather shoes. Baba was aware of this and had sent Baily to Bombay to purchase canvas (tennis) shoes, which were given to those who suffered with blisters.
At five o'clock in the afternoon, they proceeded to Khopoli. After walking a mile, they ascended the Bhor Ghat (a range of hills between Karjat and Lonavla). From there the descent to Bombay began and the lone bullock cart, which had been trailing with the luggage, took the lead. The gradient was steep and the bullock nearly tumbled down with the cart while the men ran alongside it, scrambling to keep it under control. The cart had been fixed with boards on its wheels to act as brakes, but they weren't effective, and the men had much difficulty slowing the cart's wheels with their bare hands.
After the group had walked some distance, Jamadar and Chowdhary were reported missing. Baba was quite upset by this news. A search was made but the two men were not found. After reaching Khopoli, the two lost companions arrived. They had taken a shortcut, and Baba angrily scolded them for disobeying orders and threatened to send them back home. They begged his forgiveness for separating themselves from the group and realized that the few miles they had saved were not worth Baba's reproof and spoiled mood.