No title {Arrest} Long Walk Original Manuscript (Image #502)

However I completely dismissed any attempt to split the movement by suggesting that my colleagues whose comradeship and encouragement have always been a source of strenght to me were responsible for my arrest. In the course of my political career we have had sharp differences on matters of principle and practice. But these differences have hardly affected solidarity and conscious awareness of our common brotherhood. I discussed the matter with Zami upon reading the press reports and I was happy to note that she too resented such mischief as intensely as I did. I also discussed the matter with Walter Sisulu, Duma Nokwe, Kathrado and Joe Slovo. In my address to the court I expressly repudiated the suggestion and appealed to the people to stand united. About a month before this Zami had been invited to open the annual conference of the Transvall Indian Youth Congress and she repudiated the allegations in no uncertain terms and scorched the rumours. While awaiting trial at the Fort I became aware of plans both inside and outside the movement to rescue me from prison. The possibility of being freed in such a spectacular fashion has all the exitement and drama and is very tempting. Few things would arouse nation wide jubilation and a rise in the morale of the people as the rescue or escape of a political prisoner and cause panic within the ranks of the enemy, as was to become evident some months later by the famous Goldreich escape. I considered the matter seriously and during the course of my exersice periods and numerous trips to and from the Commanding Officer's office carefully surveyed the area and noted the movements of the guards on the bulwark. But viewing the matter objectively I concluded that such an operation would be premature and turn out to be a fiasco. Remarks made by warders and