CHAPTER XXV. 



Journey to the Rajah's residence at Tumloong — Ryott valley — Rajah's house — Tup. 

 gain Lama — Lagong nunnery — Phadong Goompa — Phenzong ditto — Lepcha 

 Sepoys — Proceedings at Tumloong — Refused admittance to Rajah — Women's 

 dresses — Meepo's and Tchebu Lama's families — Chapel — Leave for Chola pass 

 — Ryott river — Rungpo, view from — Deputation of Kajees, &c. — Conference — 

 Laghep — Eatable fruit of Decaisnea — Cathcartia — Rhododendrons — Phieung- 

 goong — Pines — Rutto river — Barfonchen — Curling of rhododendron leaf — 

 Woodcock — Chola pass — Small lakes — Tibet guard and sepoys — Dingpun — 

 Arrival of Sikkim sepoys — Their conduct — Meet Singtam Soubah — Chuma- 

 nako — We are seized by the Soubah's party — Soubah's conduct — Dingpun 

 Tinli — Treatment of Dr. Campbell — Bound and guarded — Separated from 

 Campbell — -Marched to Tumloong — Motives for such conduct — Arrive at 

 Rungpo — At Phadong — Presents from Rajah — Visits of Lama — Of Singtam 

 Soubah — I am cross-questioned by Amlah — Confined with Campbell — Seizure 

 of my Coolies — Threats of attacking Dorjiling. 



We started on the 3rd of November for Tumloong (or 

 Sikkim Durbar), Dr. Campbell sending Tchebu Lama 

 forward with letters to announce his approach. A steep 

 ascent, through large trees of Rhododendron arboreum, led 

 over a sharp spur of mica-schist (strike north-west and 

 dip north-east), beyond which the whole bay -like valley of 

 the Ryott opened before us, presenting one of the most 

 lovely and fertile landscapes in Sikkim. It is ten miles 

 long, and three or four broad, flanked by lofty mountains, 

 and its head girt by the beautiful snowy range of Chola, 

 from which silvery rills descend through black pine-woods, 

 dividing innumerable converging cultivated spurs, and 

 uniting about 2000 feet below us, in a profound gorge. 

 Everywhere were scattered houses, purple crops of buck- 



