Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/324

Rh in force. So the army was divided, the divisions taking up positions respectively on the Upper, Middle, and Lower roads. But General Wofukehi took charge in person on the Middle road. Hereupon Isogimi, Inukahi no Muraji, the Afumi general, came up by the Middle road. He halted at Muraya, and despatched his Lieutenant-General Kujira, Ihoriwi no Miyakko, with 200 picked soldiers to attack the general's camp. At this time the troops under his standard were but few, and could offer no resistance. Now there was a slave of the Temple of Ohowidera, named Tokumaro, who, with four others, followed the army. Tokumaro and his companions, forming an advanced guard, went forward and shot their arrows, so that Kujira's army was unable to advance.

On this day Takechimaro, Miwa no Kimi, and Usagi, Okizome no Muraji, who were stationed on the Upper road, fought with the Afumi army at the Hashi Misasagi, and greatly defeated them. Following up their victory, they also cut off the retreat of Kujira's army, upon which Kujira's men all broke and fled. Many of the common soldiers were killed. Kujira made off, mounted on a white horse, but his horse tumbled into a muddy rice-field and could make no progress. Then General Wofukehi said to a brave soldier of Kahi:—"The man on the white horse is Ihoriwi no Kujira. Hasten after him and shoot him." Upon this the brave soldier of Kahi hurried in pursuit and came up to Kujira. Kujira whipped his horse vigorously, and it succeeded in extricating itself and getting out of the mud. Then he galloped off and made his escape. The general went back again a second time to headquarters, and encamped his men there. From this time forward the Afumi troops never came again.

Before this time, when the army was at Kanatsunawi, Kome, Takechi no Agata-nushi, Governor of the district of Takechi, suddenly had his mouth closed so that he could not speak. After three days, a divine inspiration came over him,