changed. It was the drug, our own
secret nostrum, administered at request of the honoured mother of
Okumura. Though sorrow was felt, unexpected the good luck in killing the
honoured wife. Henceforth come out openly. Who would not drain the
_sake_ cups with Koume Dono! The three lands (China, India, Japan) are
the inheritance of one who was but an adopted son. All in good order!
All in good order! All in good order! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Sa! To set
about it at once."

The husband concealed tears of regret for past conduct.

_Iemon_--"Plain it is that wife, child, and _kerai_, though deserving
compassion, have found death. 'Twas determined by fate in a previous
existence. But to obviate fear of future disaster, though not the
original purpose, the dead bodies of these two are to be nailed to a
door panel, with the inscription--'unchaste and jealous.' Let them float
away on the current of the Nenashigawa. The entrance of the house is
close to the inner room. Make ready: it will be best to leave by the
rear. Quick! Quick! But...."

_Suian_--"It happens that the neighbor Dansuke comes." He bent and
peeped through the entrance. "Dansuke! Dansuke!" Dansuke Mizuo in
presence, mouth to ear he was informed. "Namu! Namu! Namu! Namu!" He
nodded consent. The two men talked in whispers. The dead bodies of the
two (O'Iwa and Kosuke) were carried into the inner room. For some time
Naosuke Gombei had been watching what went on, peeping out and
listening. He appeared from the shadow.

_Gombei_--"Yai! Unjustly have the blameless wife and _kerai_ been
punished by Hamiya Iemon. Complaint is to be made at the Daikwan's
court."

When he would rush forth he was pulled back by the girdle (_obi_). "Ya!
Ya! Whither would you go? There is matter of importance to hear."--"The
intent is plain. You would kill me." One had the long sword of the
soldier. Two or three passes and he was nearly cut down by the skill of
Hamiya. When he tried to flee, from behind he received a cut through the
shoulder. It finished him. Then he (Iemon) would hide the dead body of
his child from the eyes and reproach of men. Close at hand was a heavy
stone trough. For funeral rites--"Namu Amida Butsu!" Into the well crib
he threw it. Are! Marvellous! Suddenly the house creaked and trembled.
From somewhere came swarms of rats. Heigh! Incomprehensible! Iemon
wavered. Singling him out they flew and seized him. Sha! Confused he
slashed in attempt to drive them off. Lightning