Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-11-17
A MOST CURIOUS LAND.
The MOUNTAIN Businesses OF FAR
AWAY KOREA.
Tdey Are Naturally Beautiful Are Zen
dered More So by Culture, and Arc Some
times the Safe Retreat of Eoyalty-Some
Interesting Trips Described.
Especial Correspondence

ESPECIAL Correspondence
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21-Throughout Korea,
at certain intervals, may be found strange
hiding places, high up among the mountains,
where nature has seemed to prepare basins
SO situated as to be reached, perhaps, by but
one tortuous and easily guarded approach,
while the high peaks and inaccessible ridges
which form the sides make a fastness almost
inpregnable
There are three Of these places near the
capital, and when necessary the royal family
may flee to them for protection. Two of them
are historic. In one, situated near the
mouth Of the great river that flows past the
capital, the ladies of the palace sought safety
during the conquest by the Tartars, who had
just conquered and subjected China. Through
the perfdy OF an officer the lad - were be-
trayed into the hands of the Tartar general,
who then compelled the Korean king to come
from his stronghold and surrender. A large
pillar, engraven with characters, denoting
the terms of the surrender, was raised upon
the spot, and may still be seen in dilapi-
dated condition, for while the Tartars still
rule over China, they seem content with
exacting a tribute from the Koreans, who
naturally do not care to see that 1.-THE grave
is kept green" In the case OF this monument.
The fortress il which the king took refuge
at this time is situated some twelve miles
southeast from the capital. 1t is a basin
joined by severa, peaks that terminate a
ridge of mountains and end abruptly in low
fat plain extending away to the river that
skirts the city. This place is well kept, and
has wall about the whole Enclosure for fur.
Their protection. The gates are reached by
really excellent roads arranged after the plan
Of inclined planes and provided with pro-
tecting guard where the one side sinh off like
a precipice. Within the walls the Enclosure
seems like great park, with its dashing
stream fed by living springs, the guard pavil-
ions beautifully Gaping the Hottest peaks
and the luxuriousness and variety of the
shrubbery and trees.
Quite a little town will be seen nesting
down in the lowest portion of the basin sur
rounding the great temples and stone houses
The beauty Of this place is decidedly en-
HANGED by artificial means, though nature
has not been at all sparing in its gifts. But
for wild untamed nature, q similar place, a
short distance north of the city, excels. Seoul,
the capital, lies at the end of a long ridge of
high mountains, which here break sufficient
ly to allow room for the river and its ad ja-
cent low lands. A few miles north of the
city may be seen number of ragged comb
tooth" like peaks that are usually shrouded
in cloud. They form the northern border of
the fastness about to be described.
In company with party of officers from q
United States man-of-war, we started out
one bright June morning to visit this place
by royal permission. Horses arrived for our
use at daybreak, and as they were all stations
and not remarkably attractive as to dis
position, some lively and laughabe scenes
took place before the whole party was mount.
ed, The saddles are somewhat after the style
of Mexican saddle, with a circular hoop
across the front, where the pommel should be
this is for use in holding on. To make
things easy for the beast, a very thick mat
takes the place of saddle cloth, and as the
tough little animals are not very high, the
saddle thus attains a sufficient elevation t.
keep long mans feet from becoming en-
tangled with those of his pony.
Naturally, with such an amount of padding
the saddle cannot be very well secured,
though the grooms brace themselves and
haul away ct the girths till the angry beast,
tired Of having his wind all corded out of
him, takes to kicking and snorting. This in
security in the matter of girths was soon as
certained when one of our party, placing his
foot in the stirrup, assayed to mount grace
fully, but soon found himself on his back on
the ground, while his animal was creating q
terrific commotion among the other ponies in
his attempt to kick the saddle off his belly,
where it had slipped owing to the great
weight placed upon one stirrup After SINH
lar attempts and the successful mounting of
one lively beast that had to be held with
muffled head while the ''red haired" foreigner
placed himself safely in the saddle, we START
ed of on a lively gallop, which was kept up
for the most of the ten miles
Instead of taking the near cut, up the al
most inaccessible mountains, we went around
by good road, that led through the rice
fields and around the spur Of the mountains,
to the easier ascent along the course of tho
stream that flows out from the fortress. 1t
was a good climb from the valley to the out
side gate, which, by the way, only opened
into walled III valley between two arms of
the mountain, while the road to this gate
necessarily so followed the natural surface
of the mountain side that Calling gun
could have perfect command Of the whole
approach.
The walls of this gate were found to be
some twenty feet thick, while the doors
proper were Of heavy wood, sheeted with
iron plates. Above the gate was the usual
pavilion, through which cold wind blew
down from the heights above, aud from
which wide stretch of valley could be seen,
through part of which our winding path
lay. From this gate we followed a path
which grew rougher as we assembled, while
alongside, and at times under us, rs we
crossed the bridges, dashed the COOL noun