Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/260

196 going to the enemy's camp, I killed Lord Atsumori, a young Taira General."

Sagami was taken aback at hearing these words. Fuji-no-Kata had overheard this, and rushed forth with a drawn dagger.

"Prepare for death, enemy of my son," she cried, stabbing at Naozané.

The surprised hero caught the lady by the arm.

"Who are you?" he roared with a look of fury, "that call me 'enemy.'"

"Oh, my husband," said his wife. "Be more courteous. This lady is Madame Fuji-no-Kata."

Naozané, amazed, leaped back and made a low obeisance to Fuji-no-Kata. The lady burst into tears.

"Although you killed him in battle," she said, "it was cruel of you to take the life of a mere stripling like my son, Naozané"—she raised her dagger again—"Sagami, assist me in my stroke of revenge!"

"Wait just a moment, madame," said Sagami, with an anxious look. "I am sure, my husband, that you had some profound reason for killing Lord Atsumori, of whose birth you are well-informed. Pray tell us your reason, as quickly as you can."