“So it seems that you have been getting drunk and quarrelling, and that you have killed one of your friends; and now I suppose you will have determined to perform hara-kiri.  It is a great pity, and in the face of the laws I can do nothing for you openly.  Still, if you will escape and fly from this part of the country for a while, in two years’ time the affair will have blown over, and I will allow you to return.”

[Footnote 40:  Shikoku, one of the southern islands separated from the chief island of Japan by the beautiful “Inland Sea;” it is called Shikoku, or the “Four Provinces,” because it is divided into the four provinces, Awa, Sanuki, Iyo, and Tosa.]

And with these words the prince presented him with a fine sword, made by Sukesada,[41] and a hundred ounces of silver, and, having bade him farewell, entered his private apartments; and Jiuyemon, prostrating himself, wept tears of gratitude; then, taking the sword and the money, he went home and prepared to fly from the province, and secretly took leave of his relations, each of whom made him some parting present.  These gifts, together with his own money, and what he had received from the prince, made up a sum of two hundred and fifty ounces of silver, with which and his Sukesada sword he escaped under cover of darkness, and went to a sea-port called Marugame, in the province of Sanuki, where he proposed to wait for an opportunity of setting sail for Osaka.  As ill luck would have it, the wind being contrary, he had to remain three days idle; but at last the wind changed; so he went down to the beach, thinking that he should certainly find a junk about to sail; and as he was looking about him, a sailor came up, and said—­

“If your honour is minded to take a trip to Osaka, my ship is bound thither, and I should be glad to take you with me as passenger.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted.  I will gladly take a passage,” replied Jiuyemon, who was delighted at the chance.

[Footnote 41:  Sukesada, a famous family of swordsmiths, belonging to the Bizen clan.  The Bizen men are notoriously good armourers, and their blades fetch high prices.  The sword of Jiuyemon is said to have been made by one of the Sukesada who lived about 290 years ago.]

“Well, then, we must set sail at once, so please come on board without delay.”

So Jiuyemon went with him and embarked; and as they left the harbour and struck into the open sea, the moon was just rising above the eastern hills, illumining the dark night like a noonday sun; and Jiuyemon, taking his place in the bows of the ship, stood wrapt in contemplation of the beauty of the scene.

[Illustration:  JIUYEMON ON BOARD THE PIRATE SHIP.]