Umanosuke, who was a brave and honest youth, as famous in the clan for the goodness of his heart as for his skill in the use of arms, when he heard Sanza’s humble petition, relented, and said—­

“I agree to wait, and will take your wife and boy as hostages for your return.”

“I humbly thank you,” said Sanza.  “When I shall have chastised Banzayemon, I will return, and you shall claim your revenge.”

So Sanza went his way to Yedo to seek for Banzayemon, and Umanosuke mourned over his father’s grave.

Now Banzayemon, when he arrived in Yedo, found himself friendless and without the means of earning his living, when by accident he heard of the fame of Chobei of Bandzuin, the chief of the Otokodate, to whom he applied for assistance; and having entered the fraternity, supported himself by giving fencing-lessons.  He had been plying his trade for some time, and had earned some little reputation, when Sanza reached the city and began his search for him.  But the days and months passed away, and, after a year’s fruitless seeking, Sanza, who had spent all his money without obtaining a clue to the whereabouts of his enemy, was sorely perplexed, and was driven to live by his wits as a fortune-teller.  Work as he would, it was a hard matter for him to gain the price of his daily food, and, in spite of all his pains, his revenge seemed as far off as ever, when he bethought him that the Yoshiwara was one of the most bustling places in the city, and that if he kept watch there, sooner or later he would be sure to fall in with Banzayemon.  So be bought a hat of plaited bamboo, that completely covered his face, and lay in wait at the Yoshiwara.

One day Banzayemon and two of Chobei’s apprentices Token Gombei and Shirobei, who, from his wild and indocile nature, was surnamed “the Colt,” were amusing themselves and drinking in an upper storey of a tea-house in the Yoshiwara, when Token Gombei, happening to look down upon the street below, saw a Samurai pass by, poorly clad in worn-out old clothes, but whose poverty-stricken appearance contrasted with his proud and haughty bearing.

“Look there!” said Gombei, calling the attention of the others; “look at that Samurai.  Dirty and ragged as his coat is, how easy it is to see that he is of noble birth!  Let us wardsmen dress ourselves up in never so fine clothes, we could not look as he does.”

“Ay,” said Shirobei, “I wish we could make friends with him, and ask him up here to drink a cup of wine with us.  However, it would not be seemly for us wardsmen to go and invite a person of his condition.”

“We can easily get over that difficulty,” said Banzayemon.  “As I am a Samurai myself, there will be no impropriety in my going and saying a few civil words to him, and bringing him in.”

The other two having joyfully accepted the offer, Banzayemon ran downstairs, and went up to the strange Samurai and saluted him, saying—­