Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/154

Rh This year Kahabe no Omi was sent to the province of Aki with orders to build ships. On arriving at the mountain, he sought for ship timber. Having found good timber, he marked it and was about to cut it, when a man appeared, and said:—"This is a thunder-tree, and must not be cut." Kahabe no Omi said:—"Shall even the Thunder-god oppose the Imperial commands?" So having offered many mitegura, he sent workmen to cut down the timber. Straightway a great rain fell, and it thundered and lightened. Hereupon Kahabe no Omi drew his sword, and said:—"O Thunder-god, harm not the workmen; it is my person that thou shouldst injure." So he looked up and waited. But although the God thundered more than ten times, he could not harm Kahabe no Omi. Then he changed himself into a small fish, which stuck between the branches of the tree. Kahabe no Omi forthwith took the fish, and burnt it. So at last the ships were built.

27th year, Summer, 4th month, 4th day. It was reported from the province of Afumi that in the river Gamafu there was a creature in the shape of a man.

Autumn, 7th month. There was a fisherman of the province of Settsu, who cast his net in the Horiye. Something entered his net formed like a child, which was neither a fish nor a man. Its name was unknown.

28th year, Autumn, 8th month. Two men of Yaku were cast away on the island of Idzu.

Autumn, 10th month. The top of the Misasagi of Hinokuma was covered with pebbles. Outside the boundary the earth was piled up into a hill, and each of the noble houses