A Japanese miscellany - University of Oregon

Drifting 27?
it. When that thing appears anywhere, the
fishermen expect to catch many katsuo. The
body is clear like glass ; but underneath there is
a kind of purple fringe, and long purple strings
and when those strings touch you, the pain is
very great, and lasts for a long time. . . . That
pain revived me ; if I had not been stung I might
never have awakened. I got on the plank again,
and prayed to Jizo-Sama of Ogawa, and to Kom-
pira-Sama ; and I was able to keep awake until
morning.
" Before daylight the rain stopped, and the sky
began to clear ; for I could see some stars. At
dawn I got drowsy again ; and I was awakened
by a blow on the head. A large sea-bird had
struck me. The sun was rising behind clouds
and the waves had become gentle. Presently a
small brown bird flew by my face, — a coast-bird
(I do not know its real name) ; and I thought
that there must be land in sight. I looked behind
me, and I saw mountains. I did not recognize
the shapes of them: they were blue, —seemed to
be nine or ten ri distant. I made up my mind
to paddle towards them, — though I had little
hope of getting to shore. I was feeling hungry
again, — terribly hungry
!
;