has been handed down from generation to
generation, and I give it to you," concluded the monk, "as an example of
the goodness of our ancient kings and the rich inheritance we have from
them. True devotion to parents has never been unrewarded in Korea."

His story concluded, the monk expressed a desire to retire for the
night. At Ki Pak's command a servant led him to a sleeping-room. Yung
Pak and the other members of the family also retired, and were soon
buried in peaceful slumber.

CHAPTER VII.

A JOURNEY

It sometimes happened that Ki Pak, in performing his official duties,
was obliged to make long journeys to various parts of Korea. One of Yung
Pak's greatest pleasures was to listen to the stories which his father
used to tell him about these journeys.

When Ki Pak made one of these trips through the country he could not
ride on the cars as you do, for there were no railways, with puffing
engines and comfortable coaches; neither could he take a carriage drawn
by swift and strong horses, for they too were unknown by the Koreans.
Even if he had possessed horses and carriage, there were few roads over
which they could have been driven. Most of the highways were simply
rough paths, over which men usually travelled on foot or on the backs of
ponies up and down the hills of the country. It was generally necessary
to cross rivers by fording, though, where the water was too deep for
this, rude and clumsy ferry-boats were provided. Occasionally, over a
narrow stream, a frail footbridge would be built.

You can easily imagine Yung Pak's joy and surprise one day when his
father told him that he proposed to take his little son on his next
journey.

Ki Pak had been ordered by the king to go to Chang-an-sa, a city among
the Diamond Mountains, near the eastern coast of Korea, and about eighty
miles from Seoul. In this place was a famous monastery, or temple, which
would be an object of much interest and wonder to Yung Pak.

It was decided, also, that Wang Ken should be one of the party. He
would be able to explain to Yung Pak many things they might see on the
way.

There was much to do to get ready for the journey. It would take four
days to cover the distance, and, as hotels were unknown along the route,
it was necessary to take along a good supply of provisions, bedding,
cooking utensils, and all sorts of things they might need while absent
from home.

In addition to getting together all this material, ponies