e more, and the remainder dared
not approach him. At this moment there came up one Kano Tozayemon, a
retainer of the lord of the castle-town, and an old friend of
Matayemon, who, when he heard that Matayemon was this day about to
avenge his father-in-law, had seized his spear and set out, for the
sake of the good-will between them, to help him, and act as his
second, and said--

"Sir Matayemon, hearing of the perilous adventure in which you have
engaged, I have come out to offer myself as your second."

Matayemon, hearing this, was rejoiced, and fought with renewed vigour.
Then one of the Ronins, named Takenouchi Gentan, a very brave man,
leaving his companions to do battle with Matayemon, came to the rescue
of Matagoro, who was being hotly pressed by Kazuma, and, in attempting
to prevent this, Busuke fell covered with wounds. His companion
Magohachi, seeing him fall, was in great anxiety; for should any harm
happen to Kazuma, what excuse could he make to Matayemon? So, wounded
as he was, he too engaged Takenouchi Gentan, and, being crippled by
the gashes he had received, was in deadly peril. Then the man who had
come up from the castle-town to act as Matayemon's second cried out--

"See there, Sir Matayemon, your follower who is fighting with Gentan
is in great danger. Do you go to his rescue, and second Sir Kazuma: I
will give an account of the others!"

"Great thanks to you, sir. I will go and second Kazuma."

So Matayemon went to help Kazuma, whilst his second and the infantry
soldiers kept back the surviving Ronins, who, already wearied by their
fight with Matayemon, were unfit for any further exertion. Kazuma
meanwhile was still fighting with Matagoro, and the issue of the
conflict was doubtful; and Takenouchi Gentan, in his attempt to rescue
Matagoro, was being kept at bay by Magohachi, who, weakened by his
wounds, and blinded by the blood which was streaming into his eyes
from a cut in the forehead, had given himself up for lost when
Matayemon came and cried--

"Be of good cheer, Magohachi; it is I, Matayemon, who have come to the
rescue. You are badly hurt; get out of harm's way, and rest yourself."

Then Magohachi, who until then had been kept up by his anxiety for
Kazuma's safety, gave in, and fell fainting from loss of blood; and
Matayemon worsted and slew Gentan; and even then, although be had
received two wounds, he was not exhausted, but drew near to Kazuma and
said--

"Courage, Kazuma! The Roni