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MR. EAI TALKS POLITICS. 96
attacked one of the loyal garrisons inside a stockade.
Yoshi-iyd approached the besiegers' host, warily
guarding against surprise, though his officers thought
there was no danger, they being yet several leagues
distant from the stockade. Yoshi-iye' rode ahead,
keeping a sharp lookout for signs of the foe. Suddenly
his men saw him reign up his charger and
point to a flock of wild geese flying about in disorder
in the sky, and not in their regular soldierlike
line. (See frontispiece.)
" ' Look ! '
cried Yoshi-iye",
'
there are ambuscaders
near by. Throw out skirmishers of spearmen on
either flank and let them beat the underbrush. Let
the best archers go to the front and follow the spearmen.'
" The orders were quickly obeyed. Shortly after
the scouts found the rebels lurking in ambush;
Yoshi-iy^'s men quickly surrounded and after a short
fight captured them. It was ' as easy as splitting
a bamboo.'
" Then Yoshi-iye* addressed his troops and said :
" '
Military
science teaches me that when birds are
frightened and confused there is an enemy
near. If
I had not studied, I should have been in danger.'
" He then surrounded the stockade and bade the
conch-shell blowers sound the charge. It was a very
strong post, and though Yoshi-iye' himself led the
van the gates could not be forced. Just at this
time Yoshimitsu, or Yoshi the third, his brother,
having resigned his position in Kyoto
join his brave brother, reached the camp.
in order to
Yoshi-iye"