Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/420

340 was well under way in mid-stream, the boatmen purposely dropped their sculls as if by accident, and pretending to stoop in order to regain them, drew out the plug. They then plunged over the side of the boat, and swam to the bank. The water rushed into the boat, and rapidly filled it. Immediately afterwards Hangwan's troops appeared on one bank, and Kemmotsu's troops on the other, both uttering terrible war-shouts. They both came at the same moment, and shot a terrible shower of arrows at the unfortunate Lord Yoshi-oki and his officers. His lordship was infuriated at Kemmotsu's treachery, but it was impossible to fight under such adverse circumstances, so he stripped his abdomen, and stabbed himself to death. Then all the ten officers followed his example, and killed themselves. Seeing this, our troops were so disheartened, that they were easily and completely defeated by the traitor's army. Oh, it was terrible! Mortally wounded as I am, I have come back to report all this to you. Now the time for my death has come! Farewell, my lady, and my friends!"

With these words, Hachirō suddenly drew out a dagger, and cutting his throat, soon breathed