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A long overdue continuation of "A journey of hope" by Logan Niadin - Enjoy!

0500 hrs, the tonga (horse drawn cart) arrives.--0530 hrs the Regos set off for the station.--0545 hrs arrive at "Marikuppam station".--0600 hrs "we're going to the seaside --- we're going to the seaside" song and journey begins.There is something about Anglo Indians and trains,a sort of acceptance of each others very existence.A familarity (to coin a phrase) that never breeds contempt.Like a home; that is home, everywhere,anywhere,which in a way explains the ease with which all Anglo Indians settle into any place they go to.Well,ok, its not as simple as that,but why does it always work and why does it feel so right.Wherever in the world this small community has gone to they have done well.

Richard's dad's boxing pal,Mr Gaunn was the guard on the train that morning and he took them and their luggage to his brake van.He blew his whistle and carried Richard up to show the green light,to the engine driver.They would change at Bowringpet,where they would have their breakfast,in the waiting room,while they waited for the Madras express from Bangalore."Ok men,"said Mr Gaunn to Richards Dad,"its all been arranged,all the way to Negapatam.(AI pronunciation).

Doug Bentley is the guard on the Madras express,you'll travel with him,in his brake van,to Arkonam,where he will hand you over to Sunna Robinson.When you get to Madras,tell the coolie to take you to the chief booking clerk's office.His name is Clary D'Lima"---"I know Clary," said Richards Dad,"he's my cousin". "Well thats it really,Clary will take you to Egmore station and well!! - I'll let him tell you the rest. Bye bye mrs,I'm sure you'll have a good journey.Good luck little fellow,be good"."Bye bye uncle,thank you"said Richard. "Thanks men"said Richards Dad.He knew that the grape vine(or rather the telegraph lines) had been very busy indeed and he was grateful for that.
            
First stop after Bowringpet was Mallur.There were monkeys everywhere,in the trees,on the train,in the train,-- everywhere,and funny thing,when "uncle Bentley"blew his whistle for the train to go,Richard was astonished to see all the monkeys jump off the train.Then Dad and Uncle Bentley did a magic trick.They made the hill at Jolrapet junction,go from one side of the train to the other.Richard was sitting by the window watching the hill on his left.Slowly it began to disappear,then it was gone.then as the train pulled into Jolrapet station,there it was again,but this time on his right.It was many years before Richard worked that one out.
            
Uncle Sunna,was a nice man.He had food, in a"Tiffen carrier",still hot.The three of them attacked the food with gusto.He also had a bag of money for dad,for our lady's church from all the AI's in Arkonam.It turns out that,he and his family had just come back from velankani,("We go every year")and while he was there he had arranged for us to stay at the same room they had stayed.The landlady was a Manglorean,Mrs Lobo.He gave Dad her address."She makes a fantastic crab curry men,big big crabs "said uncle Sunna. "and you must have some"toddy"(a palm drink)early morning,when its sweet men".

Go and see Father Fernandes,I've told him the whole story,so hes expecting you."As they were coming in to Madras,Richard looked with wonderment at the sights.His jaw dropped,when he saw the Basin Bridge power station,it was huge,he never thought anything could be bigger than Edgars Mine shaft,and "Mum,why are all those people sitting down there by the river?"Come away from that window Richard",she said,"go to the other side and ask Uncle Sunna to let you wave the flag,for the driver".

Then, they pulled into Madras Central,people everywhere,and the noise!Richard's senses were being hammered,he didnt know where to look,what to look at.It all became too much for him,to take in and he clung to his Dad's hand.They thanked Uncle Sunna for his help and as the"coolie"put their luggage on his head,Richard's dad swung Richard up onto his shoulders."lets go and find Clary" he said.
            
Uncle Clary D'Lima was waiting for them.He was a short,round man,with a round,happy face,with eyes that,crinkled up and disappeared when he smiled.He shook Richard's Dads hand,warmly,kissed Richard's Mum,turned to Richard and picked him up."Hello little Man"he said,giving Richard a big hug."how are you?" then still carrying Richard,he led the way to the side of this huge railway station,where all four of them got into two waiting rickshaws.

The coolies loaded on their hold-alls and their brown,painted tin box,which contained their clothes and off they went to Egmore station where they would catch their metre gauge train for Negapatam.They were met by the Station Master.Uncle Clary introduced him."Meet Les Roberts,and Les meet Mr and Mrs Rego and their son Richard".

I'm going to let Les tell you what he's got planned for you"."Right said Les,first off let me tell you that you are travelling "inter class",so let me take you to the inter class waiting room,where we are all going to have some dinner.The dinner was organised by Spencer's railway catering manager Mr Gordon who will join us later.You will also meet the guard of the mail train.Sydney D'Monte.
           
The"Inter class"compartment was very comfortable.Richards Dad unrolled the hold-alls --- they were called hold-alls because they did just that--  held everything that was needed for a train journey.There were pockets for soap, tooth powder,tooth brush and a comb,it was stuffed like a matress,there was a pillow and right on top was Richards shorts and "banian"(vest) to sleep in.Oh! and a pocket for his polished shoes to wear,only,for going to church.

Richard was so excited he was to sleep on the top berth.All of the things that had happened since they left home that morning,was new to him.He put his hands on his full tummy,remembering all the tasty food they had for dinner,in the waiting room at Egmore station,especially the fruit salad --- he had two helpings.The Rickshaw ride from Madras Central,the lovely food that uncle Sunna,brought in his tiffen carrier,Dad and uncle Bentley's magic trick at jolrapet station,moving the hill!,the monkeys at mallur station---zzzzzzzz.

He fell asleep,dreaming about sitting in a tonga and a white dog was running at the back trying to jump in zzzzzzzzzz.His mum,covered him up with a blanket,and she and his dad kissed him and said,"Good night Richard,sleep tight,dont let the bugs bite,God Bless you my son".They sat down and held each other and cried silently,completely overcome,not just for their son,but for all the kindness and care that people-- Anglo Indian people, had shown to them since Richard was first diagnosed with Leukemia.

They said their prayers that night,on the train,that was speeding through the night,to velankani,to Our Lady's Church,to Hope.

Next to come "Velankanni" watch out for it. 

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