“When I went in, I made many apologies; but I was beaten, and kicked in the head, and treated with the greatest indignity.  I would have killed that wretch, Zempachi, at once, but that I knew that, if I did so while I was yet a member of your household, I should bring trouble upon your family.  For your sake I bore this ill-treatment patiently; but now I pray you let me take leave of you and become a Ronin, that I may be revenged upon this man.”

“Think well what you are doing,” answered Shonosuke.  “After all, we have only lost a football; and my father will not care, nor upbraid us.”

But Tsimehei would not listen to him, and was bent upon wiping out the affront that he had received.  As they were talking, the messenger arrived from Zempachi, demanding the surrender of Tsunehei, on the ground that he had insulted him:  to this Shonosuke replied that his father was away from home, and that in his absence he could do nothing.

At last Shozayemon came home; and when he heard what had happened he was much grieved, and at a loss what to do, when a second messenger arrived from Zempachi, demanding that Tsunehei should be given up without delay.  Then Shozayemon, seeing that the matter was serious, called the youth to him, and said—­

“This Zempachi is heartless and cruel, and if you go to his house will assuredly kill you; take, therefore, these fifty riyos, and fly to Osaka or Kioto, where you may safely set up in business.”

“Sir,” answered Tsunehei, with tears of gratitude for his lord’s kindness, “from my heart I thank you for your great goodness; but I have been insulted and trampled upon, and, if I lay down my life in the attempt, I will repay Zempachi for what he has this day done.”

“Well, then, since you needs must be revenged, go and fight, and may success attend you!  Still, as much depends upon the blade you carry, and I fear yours is likely to be but a sorry weapon, I will give you a sword;” and with this he offered Tsunehei his own.

“Nay, my lord,” replied Tsunehei; “I have a famous sword, by Rai Kunitoshi, which my father gave me.  I have never shown it to your lordship, but I have it safely stowed away in my room.”

When Shozayemon saw and examined the sword, he admired it greatly, and said, “This is indeed a beautiful blade, and one on which you may rely.  Take it, then, and bear yourself nobly in the fight; only remember that Zempachi is a cunning spearsman, and be sure to be very cautious.”

So Tsunehei, after thanking his lord for his manifold kindnesses, took an affectionate leave, and went to Zempachi’s house, and said to the servant—­

“It seems that your master wants to speak to me.  Be so good as to take me to see him.”

So the servant led him into the garden, where Zempachi, spear in hand, was waiting to kill him.  When Zempachi saw him, he cried out—­

“Ha! so you have come back; and now for your insolence, this day I mean to kill you with my own hand.”