240 DORJILING. . Chap. XXVI. 



There were not wanting offers of leading a company of 

 soldiers to Tumloong, rather than that the threat should 

 have twice been made, and then withdrawn ; but they 

 were not accepted. A large body of troops was however 

 marched from Dorjiling, and encamped on the north bank 

 of the Great Rungeet for some weeks : but after that 

 period they were recalled, without any further demon- 

 stration; the Dewan remaining encamped the while on 

 the Namtchi hill, not three hours' march above them. 

 The simple Lepchas daily brought our soldiers milk, fowls, 

 and eggs, and would have continued to do so had they 

 proceeded to Tumloong, for I believe both Rajah and 

 people would have rejoiced at our occupation of the 

 country. 



After the withdrawal of the troops, the threat was 

 modified into a seizure of the Terai lands, which the 

 Rajah had originally received as a. free gift from the 

 British, and which were the only lucrative or fertile estates 

 he possessed. This was effected by four policemen taking 

 possession of the treasury (which contained exactly twelve 

 shillings, I believe), and announcing to the villagers the 

 confiscation of the territory to the British government, in 

 which they gladly acquiesced. At the same time there 

 was annexed to it the whole southern part of Sikkim, 

 between the Great Rungeet and the plains of India, and 

 from Nepal on the west to the Bhotan frontier and the 

 Teesta river on the east ; thus confining the Rajah to his 



Mr. Lusbington, I am, as I have elsewhere state .1, under great obligations for his 

 personal consideration and kindness, and vigorous measures during my detention. 

 On my release and return to Dorjiling, any interference on my part would have 

 been meddling with what was not my concern. I never saw, nor wished to see, a 

 public document connected with the affair, and have only given as many of the 

 leading features of the case as I can vouch for, and as were accessible to any 

 other bystander. 



