Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/134

84 fought bravely, but in vain. He has, alas! made up his mind to kill himself. The enemy have already forced their way into our temple, and I fear that all is lost. Your lordship's obvious duty is to commit seppuku, and I'll follow you to the Meido!"

"I am quite prepared to do so," said Nobunaga calmly. "Tsuboné, you must take Sambōshi, and leave at once. Why do you hesitate to obey my commands?"

Urged by this repeated order, the lady summoned a retainer and, sorrowfully taking her leave, stole out of the postern.

Nobunaga was now freed from the only cause of his solicitude. He was about to take his life, when a large number of the foes, under the command of Shiōden, burst into the courtyard. Nobunaga seized a bow and arrow, and cried angrily:

"Where is the traitor Mitsuhidé? Let him appear, so that he may die by my arrow."

He shot many arrows with such skill and promptitude, that a number of the hostile soldiers fell dead on the spot. The rest were frightened, and did not dare to approach. Taking advantage