Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/440

356 be afraid, my men. This storm is doubtless caused by the ghost of Yoshiminé," Hardly had these words left his lips, when a voice cried from overhead:

"Harken! Takezawa Kemmotsu. The spirit of Nitta Yoshi-oki, who was murdered here by means of your vile scheme, has returned to take its revenge on you."

Then waves as high as hills dashed against the boat and broke it in pieces, and all the soldiers were drowned. The stout-hearted Kemmotsu was not killed, however, and for some minutes he battled valiantly with the waves. Suddenly there was a loud peal of thunder, and the clouds parted. In the midst of them appeared the figure of Yoshi-oki, clad in armour and riding on horseback. Around him were standing the vivid figures of the ten officers who had shared his fate. The spectre of Yoshi-oki swept down upon Kemmotsu, and seizing his hair, cleft his head in two.

Soon after the events narrated above had taken place, peace was concluded between the Southern and Northern dynasties. Taka-uji erected a