Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/320

Rh 3rd day. General Wofukehi encamped on the top of Mount Narayama. Now Akamaro, Aredawo no Atahe, addressed the general, saying:—"The old capital is our headquarters. Let it be well guarded." The general took this advice and accordingly sent Akamaro and Kobito, Imbe no Obito, to guard the ancient capital. Upon this, Akamaro and the others went to the ancient capital. They removed the planks of the bridges on the roads and made of them breastworks, which they set up on the highways in the neighbourhood of the capital, and so kept guard.

4th day. General Wofukehi fought a battle with Hatayasu, Ohono no Kimi, the Afumi general, at Mount Narayama. He was defeated by Hatayasu, and his men all ran away. General Wofukehi barely escaped with his life. Thereupon Hatayasu pursued him as far as Yada, where he went up and viewed the capital, but as there were breastworks set up on all the highways, he suspected an ambush, and by degrees withdrew and retreated.

5th day. Tanabe no Wosumi, a lieutenant-general of the Afumi party, crossed Mount Kafuka and marched to Kurafu with their flags rolled up and dragging their drums. At midnight, with gags in the soldiers' mouths, they broke through the fortifications and suddenly entered the encampment. Accordingly, fearing that it might be difficult to distinguish between his own men and those of Tarumaro, he gave each of them the watchword "Kane." Then they drew their swords and charged, when those who had not the watchword "Kane" were cut down without more ado. Upon this Tarumaro's troops were all thrown into confusion, and in this sudden emergency knew not what to do. Only Tarumaro cleverly noted the watchword, and he alone, by saying "Kane," effected his escape with difficulty.

6th day. Wosumi again advanced in order to attack the encampment on the plain of Tara. He arrived there unexpectedly. Hereupon General Honji, Oho no Omi, intercepted