Dorjiling, and a letter sternly demanding our release
was received.
The Lamas of Pemiongchi, Changachelling, Tassi-
ding, &c., and the Dewan’s enemies, and Tchehu
Lama’s friends, began to flock from all quarters to
Tumloong, demanding audience of the Rajah, and
our instant liberation. The Dewan’s game was
evidently u p ; but the timidity of his opponents, his
own craft, and the habitual dilatoriness of all, contributed
to cause endless delays. The young Gangtok
Kajee tried to curry favour with us, sending word that
he was urging our release, and adding that he had
some capital ponies for us to see on our way to Dorjiling
! Many similar trifles showed that these people
had not a conception of the nature of their position,
nor of that of an officer of the British Government.
The Tchebu Lama visited us only once, and then
under surveillance; he renewed his professions of
good faith, and we had every reason to know that he
had suffered severely for his adherence to us, and consistent
repudiation of the Amlah’s conduct: he was in
great favour with his brother Lamas, but was not
allowed to see the Rajah, who was said to trust to him
alone of all his counsellors. He told us that peremptory
orders had arrived from Calcutta for our release,
but that the Amlah had replied that they would not
acknowledge the despatch, from its not bearing the
Governor-General’s great seal! The country-people
refusing to be saddled with the keep of our coolies,
they were sent to Doijiling in small parties, charged
to say that we were free, and following them.
The weather continued rainy and bad, with occasionally
a few hours of sunshine, which, however, always
rendered the ditch before our door offensive: we were
still prevented leaving the hut, but as a great annual
festival was going on, we were less disagreeably
watched. Campbell was very unwell, and we had no
medicine; and as the Dewan, accustomed to such
duplicity himself, naturally took this for a ruse, and
refused to allow us to send to Dorjiling for any, we
were more than ever convinced that his own sickness
was simulated.
On the 2nd and 3rd December we had further conferences
with the Dewan, who said that we were to be
taken to Dorjiling in six days, with two Vakeels from
the Rajah. The Pemiongchi Lama, as the oldest and
most venerated in Sikkim, attended, and addressed
Campbell in a speech of great feeling and truth.
Having heard, he said, of these unfortunate circumstances
a few days ago, he had come on feeble limbs,
and though upwards of seventy winters old, as the
representative of his holy brotherhood, to tender advice
to his Rajah, which he hoped would be followed. Since
Sikkim had been connected with the British rule, they
had experienced continued peace and protection;
whereas before they were in constant dread of their
lives and properties, which, as well as their most sacred
temples, were violated by the Nepalese and Bhotanese.
He then dwelt upon Campbell’s invariable kindness
and good feeling, and his exertions for the benefit of
their country, and for the cementing of friendship, and
hoped he would not let these untoward events induce