The two officers and the lambardar were the last to come out of the village. The jeep followed them. They were talking and gesticulating animatedly. Most of the talking was between the Muslim officer and the lambardar.

‘I have no arrangement to take all this luggage with bullock carts, beds, pots and pans. This convoy is not going to Pakistan by road. We are taking them to the Chundunnugger refugee camp and from there by train to Lahore. They can only take their clothes, bedding, cash and jewellery. Tell them to leave everything else here. You can look after it.’

The news that the Mano Majra Muslims were going to Pakistan came as a surprise. The lambardar had believed they would only go to the refugee came for a few days and then return.

‘No, Sahib, we cannot say anything,’ replied the lambardar. ‘If it was for a day or two we could look after their belongings. As you are going to Pakistan, it may be many months before they return. Property is a bad thing; it poisons people’s minds. No, we will not touch anything. We will only look after their houses.’

The Muslim officer was irritated. ‘I have no time to argue. You see yourself that all I have is a dozen trucks. I cannot put buffaloes and bullock carts in them.’

‘No, Sahib,’ retorted the lambardar stubbornly. ‘You can say what you like and you can be angry with us, but we will not touch our brothers’ properties. You want us to become enemies?’

‘Wah, wah, Lambardar Sahib,’ answered the Muslim laughing loudly. ‘Shabash! Yesterday you wanted to kill them, today you call them brothers. You may change your mind again tomorrow.’

‘Do not taunt us like this. Captain Sahib. We are brothers and will always remain brothers.’

‘All right, all right, Lambardara. You are brothers,’ the officer said. ‘I grant you that, but I still cannot take all this stuff. You consult the Sardar Officer and your fellow villagers about it. I will deal with the Muslims.’

The Muslim officer got on the jeep and addressed the crowd. He chose his words carefully.

‘We have a dozen trucks and all you people who are going to Pakistan must get on them in ten minutes. We have other villages to evacuate later on. The only luggage you can take with you is what you can carry—nothing more. You can leave your cattle, bullock carts, charpoys, pitchers, and so on with your friends in the village. If we get a chance, we will bring these things out for you later. I give you ten minutes to settle your affairs. Then the convoy will move.’

The Muslims left their bullock carts and thronged round the jeep, protesting and talking loudly. The Muslims officer who had stepped off the jeep went back to the microphone.