When I examined the expressions on the faces of the beheaded wretches, it did not seem as if any of them had at all enjoyed what had taken place; on the contrary, rather than otherwise, there was plainly depicted on their now immovable features an expression of most decided dissatisfaction.  Without doubt, they had undergone a terrible agony.  In some cases the eyes were closed, in others they were wide open, staring straight in front.  The pupils had become extremely small.  The lips of all were contracted, and the teeth showed between, tightly closed.  Streaks of blood covered the faces, and it was very apparent that the noses, ears, and sometimes the outside corners of the eyes, had been bleeding, this being probably due to the violent blows received from the sword.  In a word, the expression which had become stereotyped upon their faces was that of great pain and fright, although none of them, with the exception of the one who had resisted at the last moment, showed it in any other way.  The muscles of the arms also were much contracted, and the swollen fingers were of a bluish colour with congested blood, and half-closed and stiff—­as if made of wood.

By the time that the old man, his coolies and their sad burden had got well out of sight, on their way up one of the distant hills, I had finished packing up my sketches and painting materials.  Then, as I retraced my steps towards Seoul it became quite dark.  On the way, however, I purchased, for the large sum of three cash (the tenth part of a penny), a small paper lantern, with a little candle inside—­the latter leading me to the extravagance of an extra cash; and, armed with this lighting apparatus, all complete, I proceeded towards the East Gate.

This little lantern, which was exactly similar to those used by the natives, came in very handy on this occasion.  These lanterns are the most ingenious things that can be imagined for the money.  Each has a wooden bottom, and a bent cane acts as a handle.  A nail is provided in the centre of the wooden bottom, wherein to stick the candle, and the flame is protected by white tissue paper pasted all round the lantern.

[Illustration:  A NATIVE LANTERN]

In due course I reached the East Gate, but only to find it closed, for it was now long after sunset.  I then tried the “Gate of the Dead,” having no objection to enter the town for once as a “deceased”; but, although the “departed” have the privilege of leaving the town after dark, they are not allowed to come in again; for which reason it really seemed as if I had before me the fine prospect of having to put up at one of the dirty native inns just outside the Gate until it should please Phoebus to show his welcome fire-face again above the mountain line.