The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-11-03

though Of course the presence of the
little flock of tourists explained dt, and
showed an astonishing up-to-date bust
ness faculty in the priests.
while we Toasted on foreign articles
in this weird. almost unknown spot In
a remote country. the effect was in
creased by the strange music that, al
though 10 at times became monotonous.
would occasionally swell up and
heighten the wild effect of the rugged
surroundings. After two hours of this
entertainment we strolled out to get a
better look at the queer old fortress,
which later discovered to be a hiding
place of the royal family.
ION the north OF the kings retreat
we found that the walls of the place
were constructed of three very high
peaks. apparently Of solid stone; one /
now recollect, we called, sugar loaf
1t somewhat resembled the dome of
old st. Paurs and was as even I'm APP
pearance as though 1T had been hewn
out. From these peaks a ridge shuts In
the place down in the mouth of the
valley, which IS protected by a wall
Within still another wall further up
the valley forms the enclosure on the
south and west. The hills are not so
high in the east. and are consequently
capped by "a wall. as is also the south
side.
From the Buddhist temple a long
ascent brought us to the southwest
gate of the fortress. from which we OBJ
tanned a magnificent view of the sea
and islands some 40 miles distant;
while the Hau river. which connects
the port and the capital. Seoul, by it's
so miles of uncertain wandering. lay
like great snake extended before us.
At this place again we had refresh
merts set before us by the priests and
a party of dancing girls were sent from
the temple to assist in our entertain
ment. This gate leads direct Ito the
city, and an attacking force would not
be apt to attempt ito pass 1t. The gate
could be very easily be held by a mere
handful of men.
Its approach is a steep, rugged de-
file between two mountains, the path
following a serpentine course, so mar
row that travellers must go single file,
and in places for a considerable dis
lance a misstep would plunge one down
a deep precipice. In many places, also,
there are paths made around a high
hill of granite sand. With a few show
els a retreating party could destroy
the path and get inside the gate by
this route, while the pursuers were
finding an uncertain path lower down.
The path in general use seems to be
left in as rough and neglected condi-
less useful to an enemy, should one
attempt invasion. Judging by the trou-
BILE we experienced in travelling the
dizzy path, it is a good thing for the
royal family that they have a private
passa geway prepared for their safety.
1.-The kings means of reaching this
formidable hiding place lis through an
entirely undeveloped country, of which
there is much in Corea. 1t Is partly
tunneled and partly leads along a bed
of pounded granite sand. OF course 1t
Is tunneled at the entrance ways at
each end-that furnishing exit and en-
trance at the Seoul palace, and that at
the old fortress. This tunnel is said to
have been constructed thousands of
years ago by body of priests hired by
the crown. as in America we hire a
gang of Italians to work In our rail-
way tunnels. But here the occasion
was one that made 1t necessary that
the men should work in absolute Sc
crecy-a considerable difference. The
reigning king agreed to allow them a
pension so long as they lived for this
service. and ait the same time swore
vengeance on their religion should the
paSsageway ever become known to his
subjects. The laboring priests are fur
thermore said to have been cautioned
not to make any sort of record of the
existence of the passageway If they
wished for the welfare of their God In
Corea.
II once passed through this path in
company with the queen and the
crown prince. The trip, though it was
not attended by any of the fright
which excites the tourist In approach
ing the fortress in the usual way, was
IL anything more interesting. III gave
an impression of the character of an
Client Corea not entirely unlike that
impaired by the ruins found in Egypt.
Although this rough channel of broken
rock exhibits none of the delicate art
of the Egyptians. this tunnel work
shows that the Coreans had some en-
cheering skill in times most likely
prehistoric.
IT was allowed to inspect the palace
erected for the king in the interior of
this queer old fortress, TO be used in
case of necessity. and I found 1t well
furnished with storehouses supplied
with rice and other kinds of food in
such quantities as would be necessary
for withstanding a long Siege. l saw
several attendants moving about, and
soon discovered that they were mutes
which. of course. Is a necessary pre-
caution"
The discovery of the existence of this
secret hiding place OF the king of Cor
ca in addition to it's bearing on the
fate of THE queen. will suffice to ex-
plain any mysterious disappearance OF
the royal Coreanis that may be report
ed hereafter. James S. Hammond.