Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1895-01-14
BELONGS TO BEELZEBuB.
A Mine in Siam That Is Guarded by His
 G.,f NIni

Mine in Siam That Is Guarded by His Satanic Majesty.
 Some time ago I heard the story of a gold mine that was said to be in exis. tence in the Chantaboon province. An old villager that I met told me that the mine had never been worked. He recollected in his childhood, about fifty years ago, that party with four ele- i plants visited the place, but 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 fol- low the stream to itssource. The great est possible amount of superstition ex. ists about this mine. Some allege that those who go there never return. They either die of sickness, the influence of the evil one or fall prey to wild ani- mals. 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 ear domom' gatherers.
 After keeping on this path two days they reached pool of dirty water. Here their guide took them 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 trampled down by wild boars, and q few tiger footprints. Here they rested for the night and next day proceeded on their journey. If the footprints around the pool led them to believe their guides reports of wild animals they were now perfectly 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 8 tobacco tin, and along with steak of civet eat (Meo-pa) managed to make dinner.
 At this spot the guide informed them it was impossible to go 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 through the Assures, the guide pointed them out places where gold had been found. After climbing up higher 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 dysentery here, and they then determined to hurry back, especially as they had only rice with them, and not even a bamboo to cook it in. This excursion can only be done in the months of January, February and March It would be a good opportunity for a sportsman who desired to combine business with pleas- ure. Ponies and pack animals could not possibly go; the only way of trans- port would be by carriers, and it would be very hard to obtain more than two or three men, as the people are so superstitious. Siam Free Press.