Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/109

Rh of Lord Kuronushi. It was owing to your interference that our lord was deprived of his rank and title, and thrown into prison. We disguised ourselves as outlaws and have searched for you in order to catch you. You have eloped in violation of the Imperial command, and if we capture you and take you back we shall obtain our lord's pardon. Fortune has favoured us, and delivered you into our hands."

As they spoke, they bound Komachi and Arihira hand and foot, and were just about to depart for the capital with them, when the priest returned. The priest, who had formerly been a samurai, and was very proficient in military arts, and possessed Herculean strength, was not in the least alarmed at this state of affairs. He rushed up to the butsudan or family Buddhist shrine, and taking from it a great sword, cut and hewed at the ruffians. They were terrified at the remarkable strength of his strokes and immediately fled in all directions.

The priest cut the frightened captives free from their bonds and said:

"As your whereabouts have been discovered, it is dangerous for you to stay here longer. You