A EEASSUEING LETTER 315 



bitter foe of the English. All the summer he spent in 

 Thibet, vainly trying to incite the Chinese to make common 

 cause with him and drive me out of Sikkim and back to 

 Darjeeling. This was the origin of his conduct to me at 

 the Zemu river in May, June, and July. The Rajah is an 

 old, timorous, and inoffensive being. The priests are all 

 friendly, and hold Campbell and the British name in high 

 respect ; and the Lepchas are fond of us to a m2in, and 

 would gladly transfer their allegiance to us if we would only 

 protect them. 



Force had first been used against Hooker to prevent him 

 from giving help to Campbell ; he was offered good treatment 

 and presents, but refused such marks of respect so long as his 

 friend was ill treated, and w^arned the Soubah of the conse- 

 quences that must follow. 



Writing in the first days of his captivity (November 12 : 

 the letter was not despatched till considerably later),' in the 

 forlorn hope that this letter may reach England, *^ he tried to 

 reassure his father : 



My bonds are not very heavy, and I am under no appre- 

 hension either on my own or Campbell's account. I was 

 seized in the hope of extracting information from me (by 

 intimidation and otherwise) as to what course these stupid 

 people should pursue. In this, I am happy to say, they 

 have utterly failed ; and I think they are so nonplussed, 

 that they will not detain me much longer. Campbell is 

 very strictly guarded. I am much better off; and have 

 so very many friends among these poor people (to an evil 

 faction among whose rulers this is attributable) that I hope 

 and believe I can be useful. ... I am altogether prohibited 

 from approaching or communicating with Cam.pbell, but 

 he and I keep up a capital correspondence. My hand 

 is so fatigued with copying out his Despatches to Govt., 

 for I dare not send the originals by this opportunity, 

 and sending a copy of my Jommal for Hodgson to forward 

 to you, that I can write no more. The said Journal H. 

 will send you a copy of at once. I also so very much doubt 

 this reaching you that I do not care to write much hereby. 

 My old friend Meepo sticks well to m.e, and will I hope get 



