use of Noborinosuke, to hear the report of Aoyama
Shu[u]zen's venture into the Bancho[u].

His preparations made, the next night, at the hour of the rat (11-1
A.M.), saw Aoyama in his turn climbing the slope of the Gomizaka.
Attached to the immediate service of the palace, the place was very
desolate and strange to him. At a loss where to look for the objects of
his search he sauntered at random, attention drawn to footing in this
darkness. Thus it was that the Gekkeiji bell sounded over the moorland,
striking the first watch of the hour of the ox (3 A.M.). He stopped to
listen his eye fixed at the time on the long line of wall and fine gate
of a _besso[u]-yashiki_ (country villa), evidently of a great lord. He
had passed from here some little distance, to the turning of the wall,
when hasty steps and the hard breathing of one who had just breasted the
hill struck his ear. Shu[u]zen standing at the corner was almost knocked
down by the dark bulk which bounded out of the shadow. Both parties
sprang back in attitude of watchfulness. Shu[u]zen had never seen such a
fellow. At least seven feet in height, hairy of arms and legs and face,
his eyes shone like bright mirrors. Bulging forth these made him like to
the ghost of some huge dragon fly. Did he not have an eye in the middle
of his forehead? Shu[u]zen could not have denied it. Of size to inspire
fear, decidedly the rascal was to be suspected. Shu[u]zen was the first
to question. "Who and where from? Answer at once, or this Aoyama deigns
the death cut." The man, or monster, merely opened and shut the plate
like eye holes. Then with a roaring derisive lip--"Ha! Ha! This is
Tanuki-bake, come hither to find and fetch Aoyama."

"Ya! Ya!" Aoyama was in a great rage. In the act of drawing his sword he
would cut the rascal down. Thus to insult a _hatamoto_ of the land, lord
of twelve hundred _koku_! "Make ready!" Apparition or not, at a bound
the man was some ten feet off. Then followed a space, during which
Shu[u]zen made every effort known to the fencing room. He would have
impaled a real dragon fly more readily. Without attempt to flee the
object merely darted hither and thither. Shu[u]zen was dripping with
perspiration. He felt badly and discouraged. For a moment he would
rest--"To see this Aoyama?" He grunted. "Just so," was the reply. "Fools
at close quarters give entertainment. Aoyama is not the clever one to
cut down the _tanuki-bake_ (badger-ghost). Get you hence to yo