Page:St. Nicholas (serial) (IA stnicholasserial321dodg).pdf/95

Rh mother, no words could express my anxiety. If she had been in sound health, I would have felt a little easier, but she has been laid up since last winter on account of her great age. At first we thought we were safe from the conflagration, as the fire had passed by us toward Takanawa; but then by the change of wind the sparks started the fire afresh at the very next door to our own. The men belonging to the house had gone to Takanawa to help a relative of ours there, and I thought it would be a shame to me if by my



indecision the fire should cause the death of my mother; so, holding mother’s hand, I dragged her from the house.

“After two or three chos’ run, mother was out of breath and consequently could n’t walk a step farther. I put her on my back and ran on, but we were both soon suffocated by the smoke, and then I tumbled down. I could n’t get up for some time because other people who were running to escape from the flames trod on me.

“In another minute the sparks set fire to my dress and I was pretty badly burned. However, I took courage and got on my feet, being very anxious about my mother. I looked round, and she was not there. I knew she could n’t possibly have run away, owing to her helplessness; so I looked around me, being sure she must be either in a ditch or stupefied by the smoke. The fire, however, was too quick for me, I could n’t stay to make further search, so I ran away. I have been weeping since at the thought of mother’s death, when yesterday I heard a report that mother was safe at Fukagawa. I flew to the place and met her. When I asked how she had got there she told me that she had been rescued by the coolies of a certain Kibun, and after being brought there had received the most kind treatment. Henceforth I ’ll not sleep with my feet toward Fukagawa,”

Hearing this, Bunzayemon was even more impressed by the clever management of Chobei. On his way home through the desolation and ruin he also passed by many of the daimios’ palace-grounds, where he saw his own trademark on all the boardings put up as temporary inclosures.

As he was wondering at this new proof of Chobei’s energy and wisdom, two samurai, or retainers, came by talking.

“Look, my friend! The inclosure of this, mansian, too, seems to have been put up by Kibun’s people. The man is wonderfully ready for everything! And no doubt the fact that he has put up the temporary inclosure means that the rebuilding will be put into his hands, and no better man could probably be found.”