Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/139

Rh to chastise Mitsuhidé. Hidéyoshi was so eager to reach his destination that he hurried on, regardless of the army which accompanied him. A small body-guard kept up as well as they could with their impatient chief.

On the second day of their forced march, Hidéyoshi and his body-guard found themselves at Amagasaki in the province of Settsu. There he rested in a farmer's house, to await the arrival of his army. While he was there, a peasant and a Buddhist priest came and begged for an interview with him. Hidéyoshi's soldiers threatened them, and said that it was very presumptuous for a mere peasant and a humble priest to ask for such a privilege. But the two visitors earnestly repeated their entreaty. They stated that they were well acquainted with the general and had come on purpose to see him. When Hidéyoshi heard of their petition he summoned them to his presence. He scrutinized them closely, but could not recall their faces. He asked them who they were, and what was their business.

"Excuse me, sir," said the rustic peasant, with a look of wonder, "but your memory seems to be very poor. Have you forgotten Chōbei in the