Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/301

Rh a lover that leads you on this chase, I suppose. But if you choose to live, there is no reason in the world why you should not in the end join your lover. I give you my word, I will search him out and bring about your meeting. Take no rash step, my girl!"

Miyuki, innocent and simple minded as she was, had no suspicion of any trick on the part of the old woman, and lent a ready ear to her plausible words. She had no more thought of suicide.

At this moment, the two scoundrels, who had molested her before, appeared, and after scanning Miyuki's features said: "Oh! here you are! This time you shall not escape us. Come along, wench!" They would have carried her off indeed, had not the old woman thrust them aside, and with a menacing look roared out: "What is your business with this girl?"

"What, old beldame! The girl belongs to us because she is a bird limed on our twig. Come, pass her over to us!"

With that, the two caitiffs set upon the old woman. But lo and behold! she pinioned their arms and sent all two to the ground with a thud. Though her strength alarmed them, they rose to