s the two men became separated by nearly a
_cho[u]_ (100 yards). The district was one of _yashiki_ and temples. The
white walls of the former blended with the white carpet of snow on the
ground. At any hour it was no busy place; now it was desolate. The high
banks of the cutting crowned by woods and approached through the trees,
made it an ideal place for a hold-up. Zensuke hesitated. He slowed his
pace to allow his companion to join him. He thought he saw something
move in the darkness close by. From behind a tree just before him came a
_samurai_. Two others followed this man from the shadows. The heads of
all three men were covered by _zukin_ (hoods). They wore vizors. "Wait!"
Zensuke stopped in fright. "What suspicious rascal is this, travelling
the quarter at this hour? Probably some clerk making off with his
master's funds. Come now! Give them into better keeping. Low fellow! You
are fairly trapped." Zensuke began to retreat, but two of the men were
now behind him. He began to shout for Jugoro[u]. The latter came up at a
run--"Honoured Sirs! This is the Banto[u] San of the Shimaya of Honjo[u]
Itcho[u]me. He is collecting the house bills. Deign not to disturb
him."--"Shut up!" was the reply of the leader. "Another fellow of the
same kidney. Look to him." Roughly he thrust his hand into Zensuke's
bosom and began to hustle and fumble the clerk. When Jugoro[u] would
interfere the two other men prevented him. With fright he saw the money
belt of the _banto[u]_ dangling from the man's hand. The nature of the
affair was plain. "Heigh! Jokes don't go, honoured sirs. We are not
suspicious fellows. Condescend to pardon us." As he spoke he took
advantage of the negligence of his opponents, their interest in the
struggle of Zensuke and their leader, to wrench himself free. At once
his sword was out. Jugoro[u] was of no mean skill. None of his wardsmen
could face him. One man received severe wounds in scalp and face. The
other lost part of his hand. But Jugoro[u] was no match for the odds of
two trained soldiers. He was soon cut down. Meanwhile Zensuke was
shouting lustily for aid. At this period there was a guard called the
_tsujiban_ (cross-roads watch). It was mostly composed of oldish men not
fit for active service. Such regulations as there were they observed.
These were very severe; but, as with the present day police, kept them
to their post. They rarely troubled themselves to patrol their district.
From these men there co