The Mysterious Hoi Tree

Prince Pa-song's house was situated just inside of the great East Gate,

and before it was a large Hoi tree. On a certain night the Prince's

son-in-law was passing by the roadway that led in front of the archers'

pavilion. There he saw a great company of bowmen, more than he could

number, all shooting together at the target. A moment later he saw

them practising riding, some throwing spears, some hurling bowls, some

shooting from horseback, so that the road in front of the pavilion was

blocked against all comers. Some shouted as he came by, "Look at that

impudent rascal! He attempts to ride by without dismounting." They

caught him and beat him, paying no attention to his cries for mercy,

and having no pity for the pain he suffered, till one tall fellow came

out of their serried ranks and said in an angry voice to the crowd,

"He is my master; why do you treat him so?" He undid his bonds,

took him by the arm and led him home. When the son-in-law reached

the gate he looked back and saw the man walk under the Hoi tree and

disappear. He then learned, too, that all the crowd of archers were

spirits and not men, and that the tall one who had befriended him was a

spirit too, and that he had come forth from their particular Hoi tree.

Yi Ryuk.