206 CHUMANAKO. Chap. XXV. 



The Soubali's people, meanwhile, gradually slunk 

 away, seeing which he left Campbell, who was taken to 

 his tent. 



Early next morning Meepo was sent by the Soubah, to 

 ask whether I would go to Yakla pass, or return to 

 Dorjiling, and to say that the Rajah's orders had been 

 very strict that I was not to be molested, and that I 

 might proceed to whatever passes I wished to visit, whilst 

 Campbell was to be taken back to the Durbar, to transact 

 business. I was obliged to call upon the Soubah and 

 Dingpun to explain their conduct of the previous day, 

 which they declared arose from no ill-feeling, but simply 

 from their fear of my interfering in Campbell's behalf; 

 they could not see what reason I had to complain, so long 

 as I was neither hurt nor bound. I tried in vain to 

 explain to them that they could not so play fast and loose 

 with a British subject, and insisted that if they really 

 considered me free, they should place me with Campbell, 

 under whose protection I considered myself, he being still 

 the Governor- General's agent. 



Much discussion followed this : Meepo urged me to go 

 on to Yakla, and leave these bad people ; and. the Soubah 

 and Dingpun, who had exceeded their orders in laying 

 hands on me, both wished me away. My course was, 

 however, clear as to the propriety of keeping as close to 

 Campbell as I was allowed, so they reluctantly agreed to 

 take me with him to the Durbar. 



Tchebu Lama came to me soon afterwards, looking as 

 stolid as ever, but with a gulping in his throat ; he alone 

 was glad I was going with them, and implored me to 

 counsel Campbell not to irritate the Amlah by a refusal to 

 accede to their dictates, in which case his life might be the 

 forfeit. As to himself, the opposite faction had now got 



