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254 HONDA THE SAMURAI.
others or which he published himself that made
the government spies suspect
that Takano was still
alive. By the aid of a prisoner who had formerly
known him in jail
he was treacherously entrapped.
His house was entered by armed men. He fought
desperately for his life, and unable to drive off his
assailants, thrust his sword into his own neck. His
wife and four children, and all suspected of employing
and of aiding him, were thrown into prison.
This was in 1846, and their imprisonment and trials
continued until 1850 only four years before the
discussion at Fukui which we have given above.
"Honored teacher," said Doctor Sano, "listen to
your friend Rai, and please be cautious. To hear of
your imprisonment or death would make our hearts
cold in our bosoms. Don't let the curtain government
add you to its long
list of victims and martyrs.
Please be patient and careful."
" Well said ! And now my good friends, this I
must declare : To the moral improvement of my
country I have devoted my
life. For the elevation
of the eta to the level of humanity and citizenship ;
to the abolition of gambling ; to making it legal for
students to go abroad to Europe to learn, and for
the liberty of intelligent men to choose Christianity
as a religion,
I have devoted myself."
" All but the last, teacher. How can you propose
anything so radical " ? said Rai Goro.
" Friends," said Koba with " deep solemnity, there
sounds the bell for Mouse-time, one hour before midnight
and we have an ;
engagement elsewhere, as you