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"Nay, Sir Sanza," replied the other, anxious by a s<strong>of</strong>t answer to turn<br />
away his wrath; "I am innocent <strong>of</strong> this deed. Waste not your valour on so<br />
poor a cause."<br />
"Lying knave!" said Sanza; "think not that you can impose upon me. I<br />
know your treacherous heart;" and, rushing upon Umanojô, he cut him<br />
on the forehead so that he fell in agony upon the sand.<br />
Umanosuké in the meanwhile, who had been fishing at some distance<br />
from his father, rushed up when he saw him in this perilous situation<br />
and threw a stone at Sanza, hoping to distract his attention; but, before<br />
he could reach the spot, Sanza had delivered the death-blow, and Umanojô<br />
lay a corpse upon the beach.<br />
"Stop, Sir Sanza—murderer <strong>of</strong> my father!" cried Umanosuké, drawing<br />
his sword, "stop and do battle with me, that I may avenge his death."<br />
"That you should wish to slay your father's enemy," replied Sanza, "is<br />
but right and proper; and although I had just cause <strong>of</strong> quarrel with your<br />
father, and killed him, as a Samurai should, yet would I gladly forfeit my<br />
life to you here; but my life is precious to me for one purpose—that I<br />
may punish Banzayémon and get back the stolen sword. When I shall<br />
have restored that sword to my lord, then will I give you your revenge,<br />
and you may kill me. A soldier's word is truth; but, as a pledge that I will<br />
fulfil my promise, I will give to you, as hostages, my wife and boy. Stay<br />
your avenging hand, I pray you, until my desire shall have been<br />
attained."<br />
Umanosuké, who was a brave and honest youth, as famous in the clan<br />
for the goodness <strong>of</strong> his heart as for his skill in the use <strong>of</strong> arms, when he<br />
heard Sanza's humble petition, relented, and said—<br />
"I agree to wait, and will take your wife and boy as hostages for your<br />
return."<br />
"I humbly thank you," said Sanza. "When I shall have chastised Banzayémon,<br />
I will return, and you shall claim your revenge."<br />
So Sanza went his way to Yedo to seek for Banzayémon, and<br />
Umanosuké mourned over his father's grave.<br />
Now Banzayémon, when he arrived in Yedo, found himself friendless<br />
and without the means <strong>of</strong> earning his living, when by accident he heard<br />
<strong>of</strong> the fame <strong>of</strong> Chôbei <strong>of</strong> Bandzuin, the chief <strong>of</strong> the Otokodaté, to whom<br />
he applied for assistance; and having entered the fraternity, supported<br />
himself by giving fencing-lessons. He had been plying his trade for some<br />
time, and had earned some little reputation, when Sanza reached the city<br />
and began his search for him. But the days and months passed away,<br />
and, after a year's fruitless seeking, Sanza, who had spent all his money<br />
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