[Illustration: HE MUST DROP TO HIS KNEES AND MAKE A PROFOUND SALUTE]




CHAPTER V.


A LESSON IN HISTORY

As you already know, Yung Pak's father intended that his son, when he
grew up, should fill a position in the service of the king. To fit him
for this work, it was important that the boy should learn all that he
could of his country's history.

On this account Yung Pak's tutor had orders to give to the lad each day,
during the hours devoted to study, some account of events in the rise
and progress of the Korean nation or of its royal families.

You must know that Korea is a very old country, its history dating back
hundreds of years before America was discovered by Christopher Columbus.

Now Wang Ken knew that dry history had very few attractions for his
young pupil, or any lively boy for that matter, so as far as possible he
avoided the repetition of dates and uninteresting events, and often gave
to Yung Pak much useful information in story form.

One day, when the time came for the usual history lesson, Wang Ken said
to Yung Pak: