The Princeton union., 1895-02-21
A MINE IN SIAM.
Guarded by Nature, Wild Elephants
and His Bnrb-Tailed Majesty,

Guarded by Nature, Wild Elephants
and His Bnrb-Tailed Majesty.
Some time ago heard story Of a
gold mine that was said to be in exist
ence in the Chantaboon province. An
old villager that met told me that the
mine had never been worked, says a
writer in the Siam Free Press. He
recollected in his childhood, about fifty
years ago, that a party with four ele-
plants visited the place, but he does
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 it's source. The
greatest possible amount of supersti-
tion exists about this mine. Some al
lege that those who 60 there never
return. They either die Of sickness
the influence of the evil one or fall
prey to wild animals. Three English
men attempted to reach the source Of
the stream where this mine is report
ed to be, but had to abandon the idea
for various reasons. At starting they
had to take narrow path that been
made by "cardamom'' gatherers.
After keeping on this path two days
they reached a 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, with
few tiger foot prints. Here they rest
ed for the night and next day proceed
ed 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 ele-
phants A little farther on they came
to a spot where the mammoths had
rested for the night. That evening
they found that one Of the carriers
who had taken charge of the provis-
ions had taken to his heels. AS they
had no cooking utensils they were
compelled to cook their rice in to-
bacco tin and along with steak Of
civet cat (Meo-pa) managed to Nuke a
dinner.
At this spot the guide informed
them it was impossiE3. to 90 on unless
they walked along the stream bare
footed. 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
fissures the guide pointing them out
the places where gold had been found.
After climbing up higher they came to
the junction Of Two streams, and the
guide now told them Clat he did not
know the road further up and that he
was afraid. One the party was TAX
en- i'll here and they then determined
to hurry back, especially as they had
only rice with them and not even
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
sportsman who desire0 to combine
business with pleasure. Ponies and
pack animals could not possibly 20;
the only way Of transport would be
by carriers, and it would be very hard
to obtain more than two or three men.
as the people are so supersutous.