The Afghan Martyrs — Page 81
posted a lookout and then we (Syed Ahmad Noor and the Sergeant) cleared the site by removing the stones. When the body of the martyr became visible fragrance of an exquisite quality, much better than any we had ever worn, rose from him. Those who accompanied the sergeant remarked that perhaps the body was of the person who had been stoned to death by the Ameer and that explained the fragrance. In reply I said, "Of course, he possessed superb qualities as he constantly remained busy in reciting the Holy Quran and remembering Allah. Hence the fragrance. " As we lifted the body from the ground to be put onto the shroud, I saw in a vision that a detachment of fifty footmen and a horseman who were on a reconnoitre were approaching from behind the hill. As a matter of routine there was a dusk to dawn curfew in force and no one was allowed out during the hours of darkness and anyone caught was charged without any questions being asked. I advised my companions to move away as some government employees were coming. It was a brilliant moonlit night and after we got out of sight a horseman and a number of footmen appeared on the road which led to the barracks. In a short while they went back the way they had come. We then placed the body in the coffin, it was so heavy that we had great difficulty in lifting it. Addressing the dead body I said, "This is hardly the time to acquire added weight. We are faced with a severe problem and there is no one here to help us. Therefore please do lighten your weight. II Then that body became so light that I volunteered to lift it on my own but my friend insisted that he would lift it and with the help of my turban he lifted the coffin. There was a graveyard nearby where I took charge and sent my friend away as being an employee of the government he was vulnerable. In the early morning, on payment of a small sum I hired a man 81