a wrong to avenge, was biding his time to meet with his enemy; and wishing to help so brave a man, he went in the evening, with his two faithful apprentices, Token Gombei and Shirobei “the loose Colt,” to the bank outside the Yoshiwara to seek out the beggar.  The latter, not one whit frightened by the adventure of the previous night, had taken his place as usual, and was lying on the bank, when Chobei came up to him, and said—­

“Sir, I am Chobei, the chief of the Otokodate, at your service.  I have learnt with deep regret that two of my men insulted and attacked you last night.  However, happily, even Gompachi, famous swordsman though he be, was no match for you, and had to beat a retreat before you.  I know, therefore, that you must be a noble Samurai, who by some ill chance have become a cripple and a beggar.  Now, therefore, I pray you tell me all your story; for, humble wardsman as I am, I may be able to assist you, if you will condescend to allow me.”

The cripple at first tried to shun Chobei’s questions; but at last, touched by the honesty and kindness of his speech, he replied—­

“Sir, my name is Takagi Umanosuke, and I am a native of Yamato;” and then he went on to narrate all the misfortunes which the wickedness of Banzayemon had brought about.

“This is indeed a strange story,” said Chobei who had listened with indignation.  “This Banzayemon, before I knew the blackness of his heart, was once under my protection.  But after he murdered Sanza, hard by here, he was pursued by these two apprentices of mine, and since that day he has been no more to my house.”

When he had introduced the two apprentices to Umanosuke, Chobei pulled forth a suit of silk clothes befitting a gentleman, and having made the crippled youth lay aside his beggar’s raiment, led him to a bath, and had his hair dressed.  Then he bade Token Gombei lodge him and take charge of him, and, having sent for a famous physician, caused Umanosuke to undergo careful treatment for the wound in his thigh.  In the course of two months the pain had almost disappeared, so that he could stand easily; and when, after another month, he could walk about a little, Chobei removed him to his own house, pretending to his wife and apprentices that he was one of his own relations who had come on a visit to him.

After a while, when Umanosuke had become quite cured, he went one day to worship at a famous temple, and on his way home after dark he was overtaken by a shower of rain, and took shelter under the eaves of a house, in a part of the city called Yanagiwara, waiting for the sky to clear.  Now it happened that this same night Gompachi had gone out on one of his bloody expeditions, to which his poverty and his love for Komurasaki drove him in spite of himself, and, seeing a Samurai standing in the gloom, he sprang upon him before he had recognized Umanosuke, whom he knew as a friend of his patron Chobei.  Umanosuke drew and defended himself, and soon contrived