Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/381

Rh arm of every assailant, and threw him down. While the mêlée was at its height, a traveller happened to pass there. He took pity on the couple and fought on their side with all his strength. The governor and the peasants were all more or less injured, and soon took to their heels.

Katsugorō, groping in the darkness, whispered: "Where are you, Hatsuhana? Are you wounded?"

"Thank you, Katsugorō," answered Hatsuhana. "I am all right, but are you hurt?"

"No. I am not. Who was it who helped to defend us?"

"I have no idea."

The traveller in question was listening to their talk, and walked up to them. "You are Iinuma Katsugorō, I believe," asked he.

"Well!" said Katsugorō with surprise. "Who are you, sir?"

"I am Fudesuké. Am I not right in supposing that you are Iinuma Sama?"

"Are you indeed Fudesuké? I am so glad to meet you!"

"I am also very glad to meet you, my lord!"

Fudesuké had been searching for Gōsuké in vain, for several years, and had almost despaired