Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 3.djvu/61

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. Benkei!

. At your service, my lord.

. Did you hear what those travellers said just now ?

. No, my lord, I did not hear anything.

. They said that a new barrier-guard has been set at Ataka, and that pilgrims attempting to pass are subjected to rigorous examination.

. What incredible ill-fortune! They must have set a guard because they heard of your lordship's journey. This is of the gravest import. Let us take counsel here.

. It does not seem to us that the case is so serious. We have only to cut a way for our lord's passage.

. A moment! It is true, as you say, that we might easily force this one barrier. But we have to consider our lord's subsequent movements. Every effort must be made, in my opinion, to avoid disturbance.

. I trust the matter to your management, Benkei.