BOOTAN. 
109 
though all seemed conscious of its danger. In the course of the day, 
intelligence arrived, of the defeat of a part of the Raja’s troops, about 
six miles south of Tassisudon, the enemy having gained possession of 
Wangoka, after an obstinate contest, in which some lives were lost. 
The same guards still kept their stations on Friday the 27th of June, 
and others were placed lower down the valley, to prevent the enemy’s 
advance; yet with the same success that attended the beginning of 
•their career, the insurgents that morning became masters of three 
villages, within two miles of the palace walls, and no material shew of 
resistance appeared ready to interrupt their progress ; for as yet, it 
would seem, the strength of government was not collected, and its force, 
weakened by detachments, was inadequate to extend beyond the de¬ 
fence of its immediate seat. Consistently with this plan, every possible 
* 
exertion was made: strong pickets were advanced in front, and to the 
right and left occupied the roads across the mountains; double vigi¬ 
lance guarded the gates of Tassisudon, which were shut against the 
admission of all strangers, except such as had been previously and 
strictly examined ; and no Gylong was, upon any pretence, permitted 
to go out. 
Affairs now seemed to wear a serious aspect, and it was time, wc 
thought, for us to look a little to our defence: accordingly we began 
to rub up our arms, and muster our stock of ammunition, as a measure 
preparatory to a siege: not doubting that, if the design of the insur¬ 
gents was to bring their assault home to the Raja’s door, our chateau, 
as standing in a very important point of view, would have attracted 
their earliest regard. But whether the rebels were desirous to avoid 
