Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/162

108 shall now feel the sharpness of my sword.' Kiyomasa cut at us with his great sword, and raged with demoniacal fury. His soldiers were so encouraged by this, that they fell upon us with renewed vigour. So powerful was their attack, that in a few minutes my troops were killed to a man. I am the sole survivor of the battle, left to tell you that tale, dear father."

"What cowardice!" cried Mitsuhidé, his hair bristling with desperate anger. "What has become of Shiōden?"

"Shiōden's one aim was the destruction of Hidéyoshi. He fought by himself since yesterday morning, and I missed him in the mêlée. I do not know for certain whether he is alive or dead. I was anxious about father's safety, and so I cut my way through the enemy's ranks, and have come back here. It is dangerous to stay here any longer. Do not lose a moment in hurrying back to our province, father!"

Although he was rapidly losing strength on account of his wounds, Jūjirō only thought of his father. His grandmother so admired his filial piety, that she burst into tears.

"Listen, Misao," she said, "Jūjirō is fatally