Chapter 14

SHU[U]ZEN MEETS SHU[U]ZEN

Aoyama Shu[u]zen was not likely to brag of this exploit. All day he sat biting his thumbs, and drinking wine to obviate the effect of his nasty bath. An idea began to crystallize in his brain. But this matter pressed. The preparations for the night were to be made. He hoped for better luck in his vengeance on the miscreants. The watch of the rat again saw him skirting the Ushigafuchi on his way to the Bancho[u]. He had just started up the slope of the Gomizaka when he heard steps behind him. Oya! Oya! Two _chu[u]gen_ and a lady. About these there was nothing suspicious. But the lantern they carried? It was marked with the _mitsuba-aoi_, or triple leaf holly hock crest of the suzerain's House. Plainly the bearers were on mission from one of the San Ke (Princes of the Blood), or perhaps from the palace itself. Reverence must be done to the lantern. On his present mission, and thus arrayed, Aoyama sought to avoid notice. He disappeared into the long _suzuki_ grass at the road side. He could hear the lady express her anxiety and haste. Then with curiosity Aoyama watched their strange behavior. A bare sixty feet beyond they came to a halt. The lady shrank back as in terror. Haténa! Aoyama recognized him by his size, the antagonist and critic of the previous night. Without delay, or giving time for flight, the huge ruffian with one hand grasped the bosom of the lady's dress, with the other the arm of a _chu[u]gen_. A kick sent the other fellow very willingly to the ground. Tremendous was the apparition as he towered over his victims. He seemed taller than ever. His hair stood out like iron wire. His mouth grinned open wide from ear to ear; and now Aoyama could see distinctly the horns sprouting from his temples. Did he not have claws? Aoyama could not remember.

He would rescue the lady, beautiful of course. Rapidly passing through the grass Aoyama burst out upon the group. He took aim at the knave's breast bone. "Yai!" The fellow let go. The two prisoners, thrust violently into the knees of Shu[u]zen, brought him to the ground. When he had recovered balance the rascal had disappeared. The lady was in a dead faint. One _chu[u]gen_ seemed to be dead. The other was squatting at some distance, eyes saucer like in fright. He regarded Aoyama with grave suspicion. The _samurai_ called to him. "Here you! Your mistress has fainted. Water at once!" But the fellow did nothing but answer "Hei! Hei!" without sign of motion. "Don't sit and purr like a cat," roared Shu[u]zen. "Off with you, and fetch water." At last the man took courage to approach. "Alas! Danna Sama, this Bancho[u], where the thieves are apparitions, and apparitions turn to women, frightens this Isuké."--"Fear or no fear, water must be had. Such milk livered fellows are not for man's work. Weakness of loins won't do. Off with you."--"But how?"--"In your scabbard, fool." For answer the _chu[u]gen_ made a wry face and tugged at his weapon. As often the case with those men, it was of wood. Shu[u]zen laughed. Then he gave his own scabbard to the _chu[u]gen_. Off the fellow crawled, with gait and speed of a maimed insect.

Meanwhile what was to be done. Shu[u]zen put his hand into the bosom of the lady, and rummaged. Women were always dosing and fainting. Doubtless she was provided for such contingency. Surely a perfume reached his nostrils. Ah! Here it was. He drew out the fragrant package. Medicine without doubt. The drug savoured strongly of musk. At last the fellow was on hand with the liquid. Shu[u]zen made a pellet from the drug. "Raise up your mistress. Take her in your arms." But the man drew away in horror. He prostrated himself flat on the ground. "Deign forbearance. To touch with a finger one of the ladies of the palace is not to be ventured."--"Ah! Is that so?" grunted Shu[u]zen. "Circumstances of course don't alter cases. He who will not touch a woman is usually a most lecherous rascal." With this comment he roughly shoved aside the awkward efforts of this meticulous attendant. Taking the operation upon himself, he gently pressed the back of the lady's neck, forcing her to open her mouth. Inserting the drug he poured in water from the scabbard. A sudden slap on the back and down went the bolus. The lady opened and shut her eyes. Then they remained open. "Be firm," commented Aoyama Sensei. "Thanks," replied the dame. "Ah! What fright! With hand on dagger was this Bancho[u] entered on. So near, how suspect misfortune at hand? Truly honoured sir, great your trouble and inconvenience."

Aoyama accepted the thanks, to satisfy curiosity. "But so late abroad ... and doubtless of the honoured San Ke...." Replied the lady--"The mission was of Kishu[u] Ke, said to be of grave import. Hence the late hour of the night. This insignificant person is lady in waiting at the San no Ma of the palace; Takigawa by name. The _yashiki_ of Okumura Shu[u]zen, my father, lies close at hand. Great the cowardice shown by this Taki." Shu[u]zen grasped the whole affair. Between Kishu[u] Ke and the parent House the feeling in those days was none too good. Grave suspicion on the part of one, angry resentment on that of the other. He would see more of the matter. It was his duty as _hatamoto_. "To go abroad with _chu[u]gen_ is no safe thing. At this hour and place _samurai_ could well have been taken as company. As for courage--of that kind it is not expected of a woman. Valour was shown in undertaking the mission. And this fellow...." He turned sharply to the _chu[u]gen_ and pointed to his fellow. "Mujina-také."--"What!" roared Shu[u]zen. He looked from _chu[u]gen_ to lady, and from lady to _chu[u]gen_. They seemed surprised. Stammered the man in fright--"It is but a nickname. His name is Také, and he is very worthless. Hence he is called Tanuki-také. I am called Yo[u]kai Isuké (Apparition Isuké), being nothing but wind." Aoyama grunted a ready assent to this self critic. The fellow's ignorance and cowardice was as gross as the material flesh which Shu[u]zen tested with a well applied kick in the buttocks, bringing Isuké in position to render first aid to his companion. This was done by passing on the application. A vigorous snort followed the thump on the back administered to Mujina. He sat up and regarded his mate with astonishment. "Ah! The Yo[u]kai.... No more of that. 'Tis Mujina's turn." This, when his fellow proposed a second application. The return came sooner than anticipated. A terrific sneeze followed. Up came his head sharply, and the _yo[u]kai_ rolled over backwards on the ground. He rose in fury, holding his jaw. Shu[u]zen was laughing, the lady smiling. "The distance is but short? Plainly those fellows are next to worthless. This Shu[u]zen will act as guard." Thus did Aoyama go in company to the _yashiki_ of Okumura Shu[u]zen; and thus was his second night's venture brought to naught.

The arrival of the Ojo[u]sama (lady daughter) in company with Aoyama caused much excitement. Okumura was of five hundred _koku_; Aoyama of twelve hundred _koku_. The latter was at once ushered to the inner apartments. The lady wife of Okumura came forward to urge his stay for some entertainment. Aoyama in turn was curious to know more of this mission in connection with a _hatamoto_ like himself. He spoke gravely of the dangers in this neighbourhood, apart from the strange tales told. Okumura Shu[u]zen heartily agreed. The charge being to Kishu[u] Ke was not to be declined. Himself he had many strange tales to relate. Though the hour was late, every effort was made. Aoyama Shu[u]zen was gratified with a beautiful repast. The wine was served in person by Takigawa Dono. The talk passed from personal affairs to tales of war. Here Aoyama was in his element, both from experience and the tales of others heard in the _hiban_ and at the meetings of the Gaman Kwai. This was a first meeting, not to be too long drawn out. Okumura was a new comer in the Bancho[u], his service was in connection with the public works. Aoyama had been of the palace staff until very recently. Both expressed deepest gratification at their encounter. As he took his way home in the morning light, Aoyama Shu[u]zen could but contrast with pleasure his present arrival with that of the previous morning. He had feasted well, and made an acquaintance of some value.

The following day he would make his acknowledgments. Aping no great style he walked accompanied by a page and two _chu[u]gen_. Inquiry soon brought him to the _yashiki_. Inquiry soon introduced him to a sitting room. "Lucky fellow!" thought Aoyama. "The influence of Matsudaira Ko[u] lands him in affluence. A modest income; a double _yashiki_!" This part of the house was different from that of his last night's introduction. Then he stated his business to the _karo[u]_. The night before he had accompanied the Ojo[u]san to the _yashiki_. He would make acknowledgment of the courtesy then received. The face of old Beita Heima was a puzzle. Deep the respect due to twelve hundred _koku_ Aoyama, but had he been drunk or dreaming?--"Has not your lordship mistaken the _yashiki_?" Aoyama was a little severe at what seemed gratuitous assumption. "You were not on the guard last night." Beita spoke, prostrate and with great respect, but with an earnestness and obstinacy not to be mistaken. He had been on the guard--from sunset to dawn. Aoyama began to feel uncomfortable. Veiling the sharpness--"Is this not the _yashiki_ of Okumura Dono?" Heima gulped assent. "Is not Takigawa Dono, of the San no Ma, the Ojo[u]san of the House?" Here Heima was on sure ground. "Ojo[u]san of the House there is none. It is very rude; but surely there is mistake as to the _yashiki_." Aoyama now was beginning to see light. He felt very hot and uncomfortable. He ventured a last question for surety. "And Okumura Dono?"--"The Tono Sama absent in Shimosa, the _yashiki_ has been in this Heima's charge for this past month's course." With such grace as he could in his discomfiture Aoyama Shu[u]zen took his leave. The astonished page and _chu[u]gen_, still retaining the intended presents of acknowledgment, with difficulty kept up with their master. Ah! The beasts again had scored. Detestable! Shu[u]zen thought with horror of his repast of the previous night. He had no better fare than Rokuzo the _chu[u]gen_. In rage he sought his room, and swallowed all the purges and emetics to hand. Occupied in retching, and thinking, and other matters germane to his condition, he concocted the plan by which he hoped to bring the foe to book, and himself to the presiding chair which surely he had earned.