Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/455

Rh the officers and soldiers, have all taken the side of Ri Tōten, and only a few of us remain to support you!"

"It is useless to indulge in mere regrets," said Go Sankei, "now that matters have come to this pass. As Madame will shortly become the mother of an Imperial heir, we must take special care of Her Highness. I will therefore protect her myself, and fight my way to find some place of safety for her. Give the baby to me, and I will take care of it myself. As to you, my wife, you will attend to Her Highness Princess Sendan, and flee with her to the sea-shore."

He then went out, and cried aloud:

"Behold General Go Sankei, a loyal warrior of the Ming dynasty!" and gathering together his small band of soldiers, he plunged into the enemy's lines, and cut and hewed around him, as if he possessed supernatural powers.

Whilst Go Sankei was absent, the traitor Ri Tōten and his younger brother Ri Kaihō, forced their way into the inner apartments of the palaces. They seized the Emperor, and with great cruelty struck off his head. Ordering his brother to capture Madame Kwasei, Ri Tōten departed, taking