I am Korean, and now, at last, I have come to my home." What an excited whispering and conferring took place.

The Emperor himself interrogated Kim.
"He was always thus, our speech in his mouth, from the time he came out of the sea," Kim lied like the good fellow he was.
"Bring me _yang-ban's_ garments as befits me," I interrupted, "and you shall see." As I was led away in compliance, I turned on the _ki-sang_.
"And leave my slaves alone.

They have journeyed far and are weary.

They are my faithful slaves." In another room Kim helped me change, sending the lackeys away; and quick and to the point was the dress-rehearsal he gave me.

He knew no more toward what I drove than did I, but he was a good fellow.
The funny thing, once back in the crowd and spouting Korean which I claimed was rusty from long disuse, was that Hendrik Hamel and the rest, too stubborn-tongued to learn new speech, did not know a word I uttered.
"I am of the blood of the house of Koryu," I told the Emperor, "that ruled at Songdo many a long year agone when my house arose on the ruins of Silla." Ancient history, all, told me by Kim on the long ride, and he struggled with his face to hear me parrot his teaching.
"These," I said, when the Emperor had asked me about my company, "these are my slaves, all except that old churl there"-- I indicated Johannes Maartens--"who is the son of a freed man." I told Hendrik Hamel to approach.