316 CAPTIVITY AND EELEASE 



this on to Darjeeling, where a demonstration from the 

 military will effect our release at once. The Eajah has not 

 fifty stand of arms, nor fifty men to handle them. 



I have now to beg and implore you not to m.ake a stir 

 about this. I have never deceived you nor my Mother and 

 entreat you to rem^ark that all I say on the score of my position 

 not exciting any apprehension of my safety, is strictly true, 

 and to make it otherwise is mere romancing. I am allowed 

 the free use of my instruments, plants, and books, and am 

 busy and well occupied all day long. 



I have heaps of letters written and writing, Bentham, 

 Berkeley, Darwin, &c., but send only this by this chance. 



After an interview with the Amlah, or council, on Nov- 

 ember 13, however, he w^as allowed, to his great satisfaction, 

 to join Campbell, though they were both ill fed, and later 

 horribly overcrowded, as unsuspecting messengers arriving 

 from Darjiling were thrust into their narrow quarters ; while 

 their own coolies were starved or arrested. 



The Dewan at last arriving from Chumbi on the 20th to 

 find that his stroke had miscarried, professed anger and surprise. 

 In sober fact, he had no conception how seriously the Indian 

 Government would regard w^hat he persisted in calling a 

 mere mistake, which should be overlooked by both parties ; 

 Campbell's vigorous representations had their effect, and speedy 

 release w^as promised ; but a communication couched in mild 

 terms arriving from Darjiling, where the real facts were unknown, 

 complications with distant Tibet were feared, and an immediate 

 incursion expected — to the great amusement of Sikkim spies — 

 the Dewan was seized with a diplomatic illness, and nothing 

 was done. Peremptory orders from Calcutta for their release 

 were disregarded as not bearing the Governor-General's great 

 seal, for Lord Dalhousie was in Bombay ; and captivity, as 

 shown by the following letter (received February 3), became 

 more trying. 



To Miss Henshio 



December 2, 1849. 



I am in great anxiety till I hear whether the report of 

 Campbell's and my death has reached England ; for we 



