224 TUMLOONG. Chap. XXVI. 



future, little presents continually arrived for us, and the 

 Ranee sent me some tobacco, and to Campbell brown sugar 

 and Murwa beer. The blacksmiths, who had been osten- 

 tatiously making long knives at the forge hard by, were 

 dismissed ; troops were said to be arriving at Dorjiling, and 

 a letter sternly demanding our release had been received. 



The Lamas of Pemiongchi, Changachelling, Tassiding, 

 &c, and the Dewan's enemies, and Tchebu Lama's friends, 

 began to flock from all quarters to Tumloong, demanding 

 audience of the Rajah, and our instant liberation. The 

 Dewan's game was evidently up ; but the timidity of his 

 opponents, his own craft, and the habitual dilatoriness of 

 all, contributed to cause endless delays. The young 

 Gangtok Kajee tried to curry favour with us, sending word 

 that he was urging our release, and adding that he had 

 some capital ponies for us to see on our way to Dorjiling ! 

 Many similar trifles showed that these people had not a 

 conception of the nature of their position, or of that of an 

 officer of the British Government. 



The Tchebu Lama visited us only once, and then under 

 surveillance ; he renewed his professions of good faith, 

 and we had every reason to know that he had suffered 

 severely for his adherence to us, and consistent repudiation 

 of the Amlah's conduct ; he was in great favour with his 

 brother Lamas, but was not allowed to see the Rajah, who 

 was said to trust to him alone of all his counsellors. He 

 told us that peremptory orders had arrived from Calcutta 

 for our release, but that the Amlah had replied that 

 they would not acknowledge the despatch, from its not 

 bearing the Governor-General's great seal ! The country- 

 people refusing to be saddled with the keep of our 

 coolies, they were sent to Dorjiling in small parties, charged 

 to say that we were free, and following them. 



