Dec. 1849. RELEASE AND ARRIVAL AT DORJILING. 237 



answered that we should go the next day at all events. 

 Here I came in, and on hearing from Campbell what had 

 passed, I added, that he had better for his own sake let us 

 go at once ; that the next day was our great and only 

 annual Poojah (religious festival) of Christmas, when we all 

 met ; whereas he and his countrymen had dozens in the 

 year. As for me, he knew I had no wife, nor children, nor 

 any relation, within thousands of miles, and it mattered 

 little where I was, he was only bringing ruin on himself by 

 his conduct to me as the Governor- General's friend ; but 

 as regarded Campbell, the case was different; his home was 

 at Dorjiling, which was swarming with English soldiers, 

 all in a state of exasperation, and if he did not let us 

 depart before Christmas, he would find Dorjiling too hot to 

 hold him, let him offer what reparation he might for the 

 injuries he had done us. I added : " We are all ready to 

 go — dismiss us." The Dewan again turned to Campbell, 

 who said, " I am quite ready ; order us ponies at once, 

 and send our luggage after us." He then ordered the 

 ponies, and three men, including Meepo, to attend us; 

 whereupon we walked out, mounted, and made off with 

 all speed. 



We arrived at the cane bridge over the Great Rungeet 

 at 4 p.m., and to our chagrin found it in the possession of 

 a posse of ragged Bhoteeas, though there were thirty 

 armed Sepoys of our own at the guard-house above. At 

 Meepo's order they cut the network of fine canes by which 

 they had rendered the bridge impassable, and we crossed. 

 The Sepoys at the guard-house turned out with their 

 clashing arms and bright accoutrements, and saluted to the 

 sound of bugles ; scaring our three companions, who ran 

 back as fast as they could go. We rode up that night to 

 Dorjiling, and I arrived at 8 p.m. at Hodgson's house, 



