Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/141

Rh road to Kyōto. It is therefore very dangerous for you to proceed to the Capital. We have been thinking carefully and, in the humble opinion of both of us, we consider that you had better summon your body-guard and hasten to my village by a bypath, and give Mitsuhidé a surprise attack. If you do this, you can easily destroy him. Our sole intention in coming here was to suggest this plan to you. But I must not forget to offer you this small present"—he took two musk-melons out of a straw basket he was carrying in his hand—"These melons were grown in my field. Kindly do me the honour to accept them."

When he heard these words, Hidéyoshi's suspicions were aroused still more. But he said with an air of confidence, "Thanks, my friends! I deeply appreciate your kindly thoughts."

The two men showed signs of satisfaction and happiness when they heard his thanks. At that moment a company of soldiers rushed forth from a thick forest close by. "We are Mitsuhidé's troops," they cried and, uttering loud shouts, attacked Hidéyoshi's body-guard. Katō Kiyomasa, a brave officer of the guard, immediately rushed at them, and his mighty strokes put them