high prices. The sword of Jiuyemon is said to have
been made by one of the Sukesada who lived about 290 years ago.]

"Well, then, we must set sail at once, so please come on board
without delay."

So Jiuyemon went with him and embarked; and as they left the harbour
and struck into the open sea, the moon was just rising above the
eastern hills, illumining the dark night like a noonday sun; and
Jiuyemon, taking his place in the bows of the ship, stood wrapt in
contemplation of the beauty of the scene.

[Illustration: JIUYEMON ON BOARD THE PIRATE SHIP.]

Now it happened that the captain of the ship, whose name was Akagoshi
Kuroyemon, was a fierce pirate who, attracted by Jiuyemon's well-to-do
appearance, had determined to decoy him on board, that he might murder
and rob him; and while Jiuyemon was looking at the moon, the pirate
and his companions were collected in the stern of the ship, taking
counsel together in whispers as to how they might slay him. He, on the
other hand, having for some time past fancied their conduct somewhat
strange, bethought him that it was not prudent to lay aside his sword,
so he went towards the place where he had been sitting, and had left
his weapon lying, to fetch it, when he was stopped by three of the
pirates, who blocked up the gangway, saying--

"Stop, Sir Samurai! Unluckily for you, this ship in which you have
taken a passage belongs to the pirate Akagoshi Kuroyemon. Come, sir!
whatever money you may chance to have about you is our prize."

When Jiuyemon heard this he was greatly startled at first, but soon
recovered himself, and being an expert wrestler, kicked over two of
the pirates, and made for his sword; but in the meanwhile Shichirohei,
the younger brother of the pirate captain, had drawn the sword, and
brought it towards him, saying--

"If you want your sword, here it is!" and with that he cut at him; but
Jiuyemon avoided the blow, and closing with the ruffian, got back his
sword. Ten of the pirates then attacked him with spear and sword; but
he, putting his back against the bows of the ship, showed such good
fight that he killed three of his assailants, and the others stood
off, not daring to approach him. Then the pirate captain, Akagoshi
Kuroyemon, who had been watching the fighting from the stern, seeing
that his men stood no chance against Jiuyemon's dexterity, and that he
was only losing them to no purpose, thought to shoot him with a
matchlock. Even Jiuyemon, bra