Before starting, however, he thought that he would go to his brother-officer, Takagi Umanojo, and consult with him as to what course he should pursue to gain his end.  But this Umanojo, who was by nature a churlish fellow, answered him unkindly, and said—­

“It is true that Banzayemon is a mean thief; but still it was through your carelessness that the sword was lost.  It is of no avail your coming to me for help:  you must get it back as best you may.”

“Ah!” replied Sanza, “I see that you too bear me a grudge because I defeated you in the matter of the judgment of the sword.  You are no better than Banzayemon yourself.”

And his heart was bitter against his fellow men, and he left the house determined to kill Umanojo first and afterwards to track out Banzayemon; so, pretending to start on his journey, he hid in an inn, and waited for an opportunity to attack Umanojo.

One day Umanojo, who was very fond of fishing, had taken his son Umanosuke, a lad of sixteen, down to the sea-shore with him; and as the two were enjoying themselves, all of a sudden they perceived a Samurai running towards them, and when he drew near they saw that it was Sanza.  Umanojo, thinking that Sanza had come back in order to talk over some important matter, left his angling and went to meet him.  Then Sanza cried out—­

“Now, Sir Umanojo, draw and defend yourself.  What! were you in league with Banzayemon to vent your spite upon me?  Draw, sir, draw!  You have spirited away your accomplice; but, at any rate, you are here yourself, and shall answer for your deed.  It is no use playing the innocent; your astonished face shall not save you.  Defend yourself, coward and traitor!” and with these words Sanza flourished his naked sword.

“Nay, Sir Sanza,” replied the other, anxious by a soft answer to turn away his wrath; “I am innocent of this deed.  Waste not your valour on so poor a cause.”

“Lying knave!” said Sanza; “think not that you can impose upon me.  I know your treacherous heart;” and, rushing upon Umanojo, he cut him on the forehead so that he fell in agony upon the sand.

Umanosuke in the meanwhile, who had been fishing at some distance from his father, rushed up when he saw him in this perilous situation and threw a stone at Sanza, hoping to distract his attention; but, before he could reach the spot, Sanza had delivered the death-blow, and Umanojo lay a corpse upon the beach.

“Stop, Sir Sanza—­murderer of my father!” cried Umanosuke, drawing his sword, “stop and do battle with me, that I may avenge his death.”

“That you should wish to slay your father’s enemy,” replied Sanza, “is but right and proper; and although I had just cause of quarrel with your father, and killed him, as a Samurai should, yet would I gladly forfeit my life to you here; but my life is precious to me for one purpose—­that I may punish Banzayemon and get back the stolen sword.  When I shall have restored that sword to my lord, then will I give you your revenge, and you may kill me.  A soldier’s word is truth; but, as a pledge that I will fulfil my promise, I will give to you, as hostages, my wife and boy.  Stay your avenging hand, I pray you, until my desire shall have been attained.”