In the late 19th century, traveling at night in Korea — especially in lonely stretches of mountain roads — could challenge the courage of even the bravest man. Bandits roamed the countryside, preying upon lone travelers and often stealing not only their money and valuables, but also their lives. However, men, no matter how dark their hearts, were not the most dangerous creatures a traveler might encounter. The earthly monarchs of the night were the tigers. According to one early Western visitor, when traveling with a group of Koreans, the unsuspecting foreigner was placed in the rear of the party — ostensibly as an act of protection for their valued guest. This privileged position, however, was actually the most dangerous. Korean tigers were prone to stalk parties of travelers from behind, suddenly attacking and making a meal of the last person in line. Our Western expert playfully noted that he “generally took pretty good care to retain a middle position in the procession, when out on a country prowl, greatly to the distress and uneasiness of my white-robed guardian angels.