e rainbow. Some were dressed in
blue, some in red, some in orange, some in yellow, some in a mixture of
colours. All carried staves bound with streamers of ribbons.

Following the attendants came a line of bannermen, with red flags, on
which were various inscriptions in blue; then came drummers and
pipe-players dressed in yellow costumes, their instruments decked with
ribbons.

Yung Pak next saw more soldiers, dressed in the queerest of ancient
costumes; afterward came men with cymbals and bells, cavalrymen on foot,
and more palace attendants. Through the whole line were seen many
officials, gaudily adorned with plumes, gold lace, gilt fringe, swords,
and coloured decorations of all sorts. Many of the officials had on
high-crowned hats decorated with bunches of feathers and crimson
tassels. These were fastened by a string of amber beads around the
throat. Blue and orange and red were the colours of their robes. Then
followed more bannermen, drummers, and servants carrying food, fire, and
pipes.

All the time there was a tremendous beating of drums and blowing of
horns and ringing of bells. The noise was so great that Kim Yong hardly
heard Yung Pak when he shouted:

"Oh, I see papa!"

"Where is he?"

"Don't you see him right behind that little man in yellow who is
carrying a big blue flag?"

"Oh, yes," said Kim Yong. "He has on a long green robe, and on his
turban are long orange plumes."

"Yes; and on both sides of him, in green gauze coats, are his servants.
I wonder if he will notice us as he goes by."

"Indeed he will not. At least, if he does see us, he will give no sign,
for this is too solemn and important an occasion for him to relax his
dignity."

On state occasions Ki Pak could look as sedate and dignified as the most
serious official in all Korea; and that is saying a good deal, for in
no country do the officials appear more solemn than in this "Land of the
Morning Radiance."

Now along came more soldiers, followed by the great nobles of the
kingdom, and finally, amid a most terrific beating of drums, a fearful
jangling of bells, and a horrid screaming of pipes, the guard of the
king himself appeared.

Suddenly all was silent. Drum-beating, pipe-blowing, and shouting all
died away. The sound of hurried footsteps alone was heard. All at once
into sight came the imperial chair of state. In this chair was the king,
but not yet could Yung Pak get a glimpse of his royal master. Yellow
silken panel