THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...

THE FIRST TEN YEARS 87the desert, expressed his surprise and warned the party about the risks they were undertaking,telling them that 'Going across this route is inviting death'. But when they insisted hepromised to arrange it, though reluctantly. The route is mainly used for the transport of goodsfrom Persia to the surrounding countries, and is not meant for passenger traffic. He promisedto give them one of the most expert drivers, thoroughly conversant with the perils of thecrossing, and a good mechanic.Baba had given definite instructions to reserve a bus exclusively for the party, with not asingle article belonging to anyone else. This was promised, and all arrangements were madeto start next day.Before starting, however, Baba sent some of the party to see that his instructions had beencarried out. The driver put in two bags of almond shells, saying that they were very light,which they were. Baba did not like him breaking his promise, but though he was displeasedhe did not say anything, and the bus left Bam at about 4 p.m. The mandali felt from Baba'srequest being ignored that 'something' was ahead. The next halt was to be after two hours, in arest-house where the party could stay for the night, proceeding next morning. Although thebus was practically new and in sound condition, fitted with new tyres, two tyres burst withinthe first hour, to the amazement of the driver. After mending the last tyre, and with still somemiles to go, suddenly something went wrong with the radiator, steam puffed out of the capthough water had only recently been put in. On inspection all parts of the engine were foundto be in good condition. The driver almost scratched off his ear trying to find out why theradiator got so hot without any apparent reason. He poured in fresh water and started again,but after a few minutes the radiator again began to get overheated. Stopping the engine thedriver once more examined every part carefully, and at last discovered a crack at the bottomof the radiator. It was the last thing he had expected. He could not proceed very far with thebus in this condition, so he drove slowly and carefully to the resting-place, which was reachedin safety. He tried the whole night to mend the cracked radiator, but in vain. Tired, he went torest in the morning, and tried again and again for two days. The resting-house was in a verysmall village, where it was impossible to get any material, but he managed to repair it at last.He mixed some powder with the white of an egg, making it into a paste through which thewater could not come. All wondered how he had done it. The man's skill and perseverancewere remarkable: he repeatedly uttered: 'Ya, Allah, I never had such an experience before!'He started the engine after the