The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-02-07
THE DEVILS OWN MINE.
Guarded by Nature. Wild Elephants nrG
His C:oven-Eooted Majesty.

His C:oven-Footed Majesty.
Some time ago heard the the stor5
If a gold mine that was said to be in
existence in the Chant;iboon province,
saws Il writer in the Siam Free Press
An old yillager that met told me that
the mine had never been worked. He
recollected in his childhood, about lifty
years ago, that Il party with four ete-
plants visited the place, rut he does
not remember whether they found the
mine or not. Two or three Cambodians.
are reported to have found nuggets in
the bed of the stream, but no one has
ever been adventurous enough to follow
the stream to its source. The greatest
possible amount Of superstition exists
about this mine. Some. allege that
those who 60 there never return. They
either die Of sickness, the influence Of
the evil one or fall prey to wild ami
mails. Three.Englishmen attempted to
reach the source Of the stream where
this mine is reported to be, but had to
abandon the idea for various reasons.
At starting they had to take a narrow
path that had been made by the "car.
iomom" gatherers.
After keeping on this path two days
they reached a pool oe dirty water.
Here their guide took shem aside and
whispered to them not to talk of tigers,
as the forest in that part was infested
with them, and that they would surely
visit the camp if they only mentioned
the name. Promising to be discreet.
they went down to examine the pool.
and found the whole place actually
tra1npled down by wild boars, with q
few tiger footprints. Here they rested
for the night and next day proceeded
on : their journey. II the footprints
around the pool led them to believe
their guides reports of wild animals
they were now perfectl.' convinced, for
on either side of the path they saw the
destruction worked by wild elephants.
A little further on they,came to spot
where the mammoths had rested for
the night. That evening they found
that one Of the carriers;Who had charge
of the provisions had taken to his
heels. AS they had NO cooking utensils
they were compelled to cook their rice
in a tobacco tin, and along with asteak
Of civet cat (Meo-pa) managed te
make a dinner.
At this spot the guide informed them
it was impossible to 60 on unless they |
walked along the stream barefooted.
After walking in this manner for about |
five hours they came to the falls. Here
they had to climb up rocks thirty to
forty feet high by means of the roots
of trees growing t;sro. .,gh- the tissues,
Where 7Vh gold had been found. After 7
climbing up hlgner they came to the
junction of two streams, and the guide
now told them that he did not know
the road further up and that he was
afraid. One Of the party got dysentry |
here, and they then determined to hurry |
back, especially as they had only rice !
with them. and not even bamboo to |
cook it in. The excursion can only be |
done in the months of January, Feb |
ruary, and March. 1t would be a good !
opportunity for sportsman who de- !
sire to combine business with pleasure. J
Ponies and pack animals could not |
possibly go; the only way Of transport
would lie By carriers, and it would be
very hard to obtain more than two OF |
three men, as the people are go super
stitiOuS.