Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/471

Rh lord His Excellency Ri Tōten. I order you to deliver the animal to us at once. If you refuse, you shall die."

Kokusenya laughed. "Well," he said, "if you are so eager to have this tiger, bring your master Ri Tōten to this spot. I wish to see him and to speak to him. If you refuse my request, I will not surrender the animal to you."

The soldiers were enraged at this bold challenge, and rapidly drawing their swords, they approached Kokusenya, and furiously cut at him. Before this happened, he had tied the amulet around the tiger's neck, and drawing his great sword from its scabbard, he waited their attack.

One of the Chinese officers, availing himself of the chance given him by a slight delay, rushed forward to attack the old woman, who stood calmly in the background. Then a miracle took place. The amulet, which was around the tiger's neck, inspired the beast, and roaring furiously, it sprang at the officer. Paralysed with fright he immediately took to his heels. Then the tiger rushed at the other soldiers who had suffered severe wounds from the mighty strokes dealt them by Kokusenya. They were frightened out