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"THE AMERICANS HAVE COME." 183
"Reverently I prostrate myself before the holy
gods. Cleanse me of fault and defilement. Blow
away from me all hindrance to my purpose whether
within or without. Avert the calamities that may
threaten me, until I accomplish my purpose. Make
me a servant of the gods in saving the Holy Country
from defilement and in calming the spirits of
the emperor's divine ancestry.'' The prayer ended,
the young man rose, thrust his sword into his
girdle and his feet into his sandals and was about
to move off down the hill.
Seeing this, Rai moved
out in the graveled path and in full moonlight
fronted him.
"Who are you?" asked the youth, as his hand
was held over his sword, ready to turn it in the
belt and draw.
" Rai Goro, your kinsman," was the answer.
Both bowed, and after salutations and remarks on
r
the beaut} of the night and strangeness of meeting,
Mr. Rai said :
"Honda Jiro, I know your purpose and have heard
your prayer just offered to the gods. Be wise. Before
you can possibly arrive in Yedo, you will be
either headed off and thrown into prison or the
American ships will have gone away. This is only
their preliminary visit. I could command you and
have orders to arrest you, but say the word, that
you will reconsider your scheme. I do not ask you
to give it up entirely, but only to postpone the fulfillment
of your vow."
" Try not to move me ;
do not tempt me, uncle.
I will kill the defiler of our holy country."