“We may congratulate ourselves on our success.  We have handed in our petition to the Gorojiu, and now we may set our minds at rest; before many days have passed, we shall hear good news from the rulers.  To Master Sogoro is due great praise for his exertions.”

Sogoro, stepping forward, answered, “Although we have presented our memorial to the Gorojiu, the matter will not be so quickly decided; it is therefore useless that so many of us should remain here:  let eleven men stay with me, and let the rest return home to their several villages.  If we who remain are accused of conspiracy and beheaded, let the others agree to reclaim and bury our corpses.  As for the expenses which we shall incur until our suit is concluded, let that be according to our original covenant.  For the sake of the hundred and thirty-six villages we will lay down our lives, if needs must, and submit to the disgrace of having our heads exposed as those of common malefactors.”

Then they had a parting feast together, and, after a sad leave-taking, the main body of the elders went home to their own country; while the others, wending their way to their quarters waited patiently to be summoned to the Supreme Court.  On the 2d day of the 12th month, Sogoro, having received a summons from the residence of the Gorojiu Kuze Yamato no Kami, proceeded to obey it, and was ushered to the porch of the house, where two councillors, named Aijima Gidaiyu and Yamaji Yori, met him, and said—­

“Some days since you had the audacity to thrust a memorial into the litter of our lord Yamato no Kami.  By an extraordinary exercise of clemency, he is willing to pardon this heinous offence; but should you ever again endeavour to force your petitions; upon him, you will be held guilty of riotous conduct;” and with this they gave back the memorial.

“I humbly admit the justice of his lordship’s censure.  But oh! my lords, this is no hasty nor ill-considered action.  Year after year, affliction upon affliction has been heaped upon us, until at last the people are without even the necessaries of life; and we, seeing no end to the evil, have humbly presented this petition.  I pray your lordships of your great mercy to consider our case” and deign to receive our memorial.  Vouchsafe to take some measures that the people may live, and our gratitude for your great kindness will know no bounds.”

“Your request is a just one,” replied the two councillors after hearing what he said; “but your memorial cannot be received:  so you must even take it back.”

With this they gave back the document, and wrote down the names of Sogoro and six of the elders who had accompanied him.  There was no help for it:  they must take back their petition, and return to their inn.  The seven men, dispirited and sorrowful, sat with folded arms considering what was best to be done, what plan should be devised, until at last, when they were at their wits’ end, Sogoro said, in a whisper—­