Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/140

90 village of Imazato, near Ōsaka? He had the honour of sheltering you two or three years ago, when you and Lord Nobunaga fled there, after losing a battle."

"I am Kenketsu, the priest of the Kwannonji Temple in the province of Ōmi," said the priest familiarly. "When you visited my temple some time ago, I had the pleasure to serve you with tea. Have you forgotten that? When I heard that your honour had come back from the Central Provinces to punish the traitor Mitsuhidé, I was filled with joy. I have therefore come with Chōbei, to pay you respects. It gives me great pleasure to see you well and in good spirits."

Hidéyoshi racked his memory, but he could not call them to mind; so he thought that their visit must have some significance. But the sagacious general gave them a nod of recognition.

"Ah!" he said. "I remember both of you. I am glad to see you again, and to have this opportunity of thanking you for past favours."

"I have important news to tell you," said Chōbei seriously. "The traitor Mitsuhidé has stationed the main body of his army at my village, and his vanguard is ambuscaded on the main