226 TUMLOONG. Chap. XXVI. 



perplexed, and evidently losing his presence of mind : he 

 talked to us of Lhassa and its gaieties, dromedaries, Lamas, 

 and everything Tibetan ; offered to sell us ponies cheap, 

 and altogether behaved in a most undignified manner ; 

 ever and anon calling attention to his pretended sick leg, 

 which he nursed on his knee. He gave us the acceptable 

 news that the government at Calcutta had sent up an 

 officer to carry on Campbell's duties, which had alarmed him 

 exceedingly. The Rajah, we were told, was very angry at 

 our seizure and detention ; he had no fault to find with 

 the Governor-General's agent, and hoped he would be con- 

 tinued as such. In fact, all the blame was thrown on the 

 brothers of the Dewan, and of the Gangtok Kajee, and 

 more irresponsible stupid boors could not have been found 

 on whom to lay it, or who would have felt less inclined 

 to commit such folly if it had not been put on them by 

 the Dewan. On leaving, white silk scarfs were thrown 

 over our shoulders, and we went away, still doubtful, after 

 so many disappointments, whether we should really be 

 set at liberty at the stated period. 



Although there was so much talk about our leaving, our 

 confinement continued as rigorous as ever. The Dewan 

 curried favour in every other way, sending us Tibetan 

 wares for purchase, with absurd prices attached, he being 

 an arrant pedlar. All the principal families waited on us, 

 desiring peace and friendship. The coolies who had not 

 been dismissed were allowed to run away, except my 

 Bhotan Sirdar, Nimbo, against whom the Dewan was 

 inveterate : * he, however, managed soon afterwards to 

 break a great chain with which his legs were shackled, and 



* The Sikkim people are always at issue with the Bhotanese. Nirnbo was a 

 runaway slave of the latter country, who had been received into Sikkim, and 

 retained there until he took up his quarters at Dorjiling. 



