Afterward Baba again warned them not to drink water unless he told them. He asked Ramjoo if he wished to return home. Ramjoo answered that he did not wish to leave but, at the same time, he saw no hope of completing the pilgrimage. Padri said he was unable to go any farther.
Baba comforted all by saying, "Don't be disheartened. Have faith in me. I am with you. Be courageous; don't give up."
Baba then ordered the group to rest in the afternoon, but because of the heat, Ramjoo was feeling so restless that he went to the river and began frantically throwing the muddy water over his head. Pendu's condition was so terrible that he could not speak. He would stand before Baba with his tongue swollen, silently pleading for water. Baba then gave Pendu and Ramjoo each an extra glassful of water, but that hardly satisfied their thirst. Finding Pendu again standing before him with his tongue protruding, Baba ordered him to drink a cup of ghee (clarified butter). The mandali's condition was not due to the foot journey, since they had only walked fifteen miles from Barejadi to Kaira. They were weak from lack of water amidst the intense heat and the load they were made to carry.
Later in the afternoon, a police officer abruptly arrived and took down their names and addresses. He warned them, "These days kidnapping of little children by thieves and dacoits is rampant in this area and the public is in an ugly mood. You would be wise to leave the district as soon as possible. A rumor is already about that you are a gang of kidnappers!" During this period, panic was widespread throughout the villages of Gujarat, and it was natural that the public looked on this band of unshaven, disheveled and strangely attired men with suspicion.
To clear up the matter, Baba told Vajifdar to go to the police superintendent to request his help and cooperation. The superintendent was a Parsi, but due to Vajifdar's ragged appearance, the man could not believe that this was the once famous cricketer. When Vajifdar tried to explain about Meher Baba and the purpose of their walking tour, the superintendent refused to believe a word. Vajifdar returned disappointed.
Baba held a meeting and said, "We will go by train to Broach and from there resume traveling on foot. Pendu, Masaji and Vajifdar will be sent by train directly to Bombay."