316 CAPTIVITY AND EELEASE 
this on to Darjeeling, where a demonstration from the 
miUtary will effect our release at once. The Eajah has not 
fifty stand of arms, nor fifty men to handle them. 
I have now to beg and implore you not to make a stir 
about this. I have never deceived you nor my Mother and 
entreat you to remark that all I say on the score of my position 
not exciting any apprehension of my safety, is strictly true, 
and to make it otherwise is mere romancing. I am allowed 
the free use of my instruments, plants, and books, and am 
busy and well occupied all day long. 
I have heaps of letters written and writing, Bentham, 
Berkeley, Darwin, &c., but send only this by this chance. 
After an interview with the Amlah, or council, on Nov- 
ember 13, however, he was allowed, to his great satisfaction, 
to join Campbell, though they were both ill fed, and later 
horribly overcrowded, as unsuspecting messengers arriving 
from Darjiling were thrust into their narrow quarters ; while 
their own coolies were starved or arrested. 
The Dewan at last arriving from Chumbi on the 20th to 
find that his stroke had miscarried, professed anger and surprise. 
In sober fact, he had no conception how seriously the Indian 
Government would regard what he persisted in calling a 
mere mistake, which should be overlooked by both parties ; 
Campbell's vigorous representations had their effect, and speedy 
release was promised ; but a communication couched in mild 
terms arriving from Darjiling, where thereal facts were unknown, 
complications with distant Tibet were feared, and an immediate 
incursion expected — to the great amusement of Sikkim spies — 
the Dewan was seized with a diplomatic illness, and nothing 
was done. Peremptory orders from Calcutta for their release 
were disregarded as not bearing the Governor-General's great 
seal, for Lord Dalhousie was in Bombay ; and captivity, as 
shown by the following letter (received February 3), became 
more trying. 
To Miss Henshw 
December 2, 1849. 
I am in great anxiety till I hoar whether the report of 
Campbell's and my death has reached England ; for we 
