220 TUMLOONG. Chap. XXVI. 



were not imprisoned elsewhere. Some of them were 

 frightened out of their senses, and the state of abject fear 

 and trembling in which one Limboo arrived, and continued 

 for nearly a week, was quite distressing * to every one 

 except Dolly, who mimicked him in a manner that was 

 irresistibly ludicrous. Whether he had been beaten or 

 threatened we could not make out, nor whether he had heard 

 of some dark fate impending over ourselves — a suspicion 

 which would force itself on our minds ; especially as Thoba- 

 sing had coolly suggested to the Amlah the dispatching of 

 Campbell, as the shortest way of getting out of the scrape ! 

 We were also ignorant whether any steps were being taken 

 at Dorjiling for our release, which Ave felt satisfied must 

 follow any active measures against these bullying cowards, 

 though they themselves frequently warned us that we 

 should be thrown into the Teesta if any such were pursued. 



So long as our money lasted, we bought food, for the 

 Durbar had none to give ; and latterly my ever charitable 

 companion fed our guards, including Dolly and Thoba-sing, 

 in pity to their pinched condition. Several families sent 

 us small presents, especially that of the late estimable 

 Dewan, Ham -sing, whose widow and daughters lived 

 close by, and never failed to express in secret their 

 sympathy and good feeling. 



Tchebu Lama's and Meepo's families were equally 

 forward in their desire to serve us ; but they were marked 

 men, and could only communicate by stealth. 



* It amounted to a complete prostration of bodily and mental powers : the 

 man trembled and started when spoken to, or at any noise, a cold sweat constantly 

 bedewed his forehead, and he continued in this state for eight days. No kindness 

 on Campbell's part could rouse him to give any intelligible account of his fears or 

 their cause. His companions said he had lost his goroo, i.e., his charm, which 

 the priest gives him while yet a child, and which he renews or gets re-sanctified 

 as occasion requires. To us the circumstance was extremely painful. 



