CHAPTER IX.
THE EXECUTION.
The Daimio was well served by his subordinates. Nothing was omittedwhich could add impressiveness to the coming rite. The two crossesstood facing the west, gaunt and forbidding, at a convenient distanceone from the other, backed by the green trees, and around them wasspread thick paper, to save the earth from pollution. It had been aknotty question with the chief samurai, who acted as master of theceremonies, as to the exact shade of punctilio which it would befitting to employ on the occasion. All the world knows that the mostminute instructions were laid down in 1336 by Ashikaga for theguidance of those of upper or military class who were to assist eitheras principals or seconds at harakiri, or suicide by disembowelling.The exact hour, the place, the number of lights, of mats, of screensand hangings, bows and genuflections, according to the rank of thesufferer, were arranged by him in the form of a long code, and socomplete and comprehensive were these instructions that no room wasleft for doubt as to the most trifling detail. But here was a casewithout precedent, for the sufferers were plebeians, too low andcommon to be worthy of the smallest candle or commonest mat, or,indeed, of anything whatever except an ignominious slaughter likeswine. But then the Daimio had insisted that the spectators should beregaled with pomp and circumstance,--that the criminals should havethe honour of being done to death within the castle precincts, andtherefore the chief samurai was obliged to hold a council with hisfellows for the fixing of this weighty matter.
In the first place, the farmer and his wife were of too mean a stockto be permitted to put an end to themselves, just as the childrenwere too young to perform the act, even if accorded the privilege. No,they must be handed over to the Etas, members of the lowest class inJapan--people who dig graves and kill animals--social outcasts beyondthe pale of society, filthy and degraded, who are never allowed toenter a house, or eat or drink or cook at any fire in company withdecent persons. Being unworthy of mats or hangings, the device of thepaper was an ingenious thought, for the blood of mere peasants mustnot defile the private ground of my lord, and yet the spirits of thedeparting must not be overcomforted by too much consideration. As theexecution was to take place at the hour of the cock, or sundown, itwould be necessary to have lights, but not too many, or of too grand akind, for excessive illumination would be indecorous. Four tall bamboopoles, carrying lanterns of plain white, were placed at four corners,while behind a screen were concealed a lance, a dirk upon a tray,buckets to contain the heads, an incense burner, cloths, and a pail ofwater. In the centre of the space facing the crosses, thick mats werelaid, covered with rich embroideries, for the accommodation of my lordand his party, behind which was to be arranged, standing in rows, hisbrilliant retinue in their most splendid and glittering array. Downthe sides, behind a low barrier, were mats of a coarser kind for thetown's-people, with fire boxes or hibachis, and bronze kettles and teathings, and cakes and sweetmeats on trays of gold lacquer, in orderthat none of his vassals might accuse his benignant lord of want ofhospitality or lack of thought for their comfort.
It was a beautiful and still evening in autumn, with the opalescentsky of crystalline clearness, which so often in Japan gives us a hintof the infinite. The sun was just dipping behind the outer wall,flanked by its massive towers, tipping with gold the eddies of thebrawling river which protected the side of the square opposite thecrosses, when a flourish of conch shells announced that the time wascome.
With a thunder of hoofs over the wooden drawbridge, first theredefiled a troop of cavalry with tapering lances and pennons, inglistening black armour and housings, each helmet adorned with thebadge of Hojo, the face of each horse covered by a gilded mask offrowning and horrific aspect. Solemnly the horsemen man[oe]uvred,forming a hollow square of gold and sable; then at a signal the outergates were opened, and with clatter of many clogs there poured in fromthe town a sea of men and women, old and young, with anxious pallidfaces. The invitation had been accepted by all classes. Fishermenthere were in short blue cotton shirts and tight gaiters, and mushroomhats roughly bedizened in colour with tigers or twisting dragons. Olddames and young rosy girls jostled and fought for places, for surenever had the oldest inhabitant been bidden to so strange a mummery.Artisans there were too, burly and bronzed, naked, save for aloin-cloth and loose jacket; and merchants and superior persons, inlong crape kimonos, adorned with curious designs, bound round thewaist with scarves of silk. The black phalanx looked down with scornbut half concealed, for never had so motley a rabblement been admittedwithin these walls, and many a timid wight glanced trembling at theswart fierce visages under shadow of the casques, wishing he hadstayed away. There was one, however, conspicuous for gay attire andmany hairpins, who, no whit abashed, looked saucily along the line,making loud remarks, with pointed finger, as if the motionless figureswere statues. A very pretty little lady like a humming bird, withdancing eyes and silvery laugh, and hair tricked out and stiffenedwith pomade, who, by her gay dress, was a geisha or professionaldancing-girl. All about her was small, but neat and natty and trim,from her tiny feet and lacquered clogs to her impudent little nose. Itwas plain that she was afraid of nothing, taking life lightly,resolved upon enjoying the day, however dark its setting; for,elbowing her way to the front, she commenced, with a comicalassumption of haughtiness, to criticise the arrangements, as if allher short career had been passed in castles and palaces.
The chief samurai was uncertain how to act respecting her, for shepresumed to mock at him, and mimic his rolling swagger and pompousstride, rating him the while for tardiness,--a lamentable lack ofpunctuality. Who was this forward wench? he asked, awaking from dumbamazement, who, respecting neither place nor persons, mumbledsweetmeats between cherry lips, and, tapping a garish fan, shouted forthe performance to commence! It was O'Kiku some one said, a celebrateddancer and spoilt beauty from distant Kamakura, who was in the habitof walking upon hearts, of attaching herself to richest youths like atarantula, and quickly sucking them dry. She was on a pilgrimage tothe groves of Ise--for even frail and flighty young ladies have soulsthat require doctoring--but hearing of what was toward, and thetemptation great, had gaily tossed aside her pilgrim robes of white,and postponed her journey and her prayers.
But now, even naughty and irrepressible O'Kiku was hushed to silence,for there was another flourish, and, stately and slow, with all thepomp of state, the procession of the Daimio marched across the bridge.Very handsome the two brothers looked as, in full dress, and wearingthe courtly Naga-bakama (full long trousers of red silk), they movedwith a lady between them--a lady who, by her exceeding stateliness andunusual pallor, riveted the attention of the geisha.
"Patrician to the finger ends," muttered the latter approvingly. "Ihave never seen so high-bred a lady--no, not even among the gorgeouscourt of the Shogun in distant Kamakura--as noble in bearing as hertwo supporters. Which is the Daimio, I wonder? The older one, ofcourse."
The older one. Her heart---or what served as such--went straight outto him; and from her worldly point of view, in which inclination andinterest seemed in unaccustomed fashion to mingle, she decided, asrustic Mine had done before her, that he, and he only, should be hermaster. The handsome stalwart fellow, bronzed and weather-worn, hisbrow crossed by a deep and honourable cicatrice! A typical soldier he,whom 'twould be a joy to love. The other one? Well, handsome too, butill-tempered evidently; as rich in scowls as a tiger in stripes; awild beast, whose taming might amuse. And yet toying with wild beastsis dangerous, for when they scratch they tear. Brothers apparently.The wife of which was the patrician lady? For a second the world-worngeisha felt the prick of a curious and new sensation. Could it bejealousy? If she were the wife of the soldier, she was a rival whom itwould be necessary to fight and crush. Cold--almost inanimate; adoll--stupid probably--entirely wrapped, like so many of her station,in contemplation of the family tree. Pooh! an absurd rival; for sureno man could love an icicle. Were they newly married? This bridegroomwith the scar was
delectably attentive to his bride. How mawkish! Andthen the observant little woman noticed that the scowls of the youngerbrother were specially turned upon the icicle. Why was that? There wasan air about him of discontented proprietorship. Suddenly she becameaware of the richness of his attire as he took his place in thecentre, amid the bows and genuflections of the spectators.
So the younger of the twain was the Daimio, and the icicle his wife.What a pity that it was not the elder. It was with a twinge of genuineregret that the geisha turned from the bronzed hero to examine thechief of the clan. A forbidding savage! Clearly he did not love theicicle. He was fancy free. Inclination and interest as usual did notmingle. Heigho! must we always throw over romance for the betterfilling of our pockets? An unsatisfactory world, in sooth, wherethings have such a provoking way of clashing. A good-lookingaristocratic person this head of the clan, if cross.
"I did well to drop my foolish prayers; this is the moment forbusiness," she inly murmured. "I shall have first to ensnare thechief, and his stalwart brother after."
Her line of action thus promptly and practically decided, the youngwoman prepared her batteries.
Even No-Kami, with much cause, as he told himself, for displeasure,could find little room for carping in the attitude of his consort, nowfrozen into compliance with his mandate. She had, as it were, gone outof herself, leaving a stiffened body, moved by automatic springs.Condemned to do awful penance, she walked mechanically, leaning on thearm of her brother, who glanced from time to time at her, with mixedsatisfaction and surprise. He had dreaded lest, her task beyond herstrength, she should quail and break down, object of derision tosamurai; but no--the struggle was past--the blood of the Daimios ofNara asserted itself. Of what use was it for a girl to struggleagainst destiny? What must be, will be, despite our feeble protests.To beat soft palms against a wall is but to bruise and maim them. Onewho drowns, battles with futile strength among the waters, then driftsquiescent beyond the pale, power of resistance gone.
The watchful warriors smiled, relieved, behind their iron-mountedtans, as silently they dropped into their places. For once theirchatelaine was as chill and disdainful and impassable as thechatelaine of Tsu should be.
No-Kami cast his eyes, gleaming tawny with malice satisfied, over thethrong. He was well-pleased. As a pageant the affair was a distinctsuccess, for, hemmed round by the swart square, his vassals werelearning a lesson of fear that should stem their insolence in future.
The executioner and his aids stood ready on their lengthening shadows,chosen from among the Etas for their breadth of beam. Their athleticbodies stripped to the waist, dark as burnished bronze, tatooed inintricate designs, with loins girt up, and hair loosely knotted, andsandalled feet apart, they awaited the signal of their lord.
The Daimio raised his arm; the shells sent forth a blast, and at thewarning all heads were turned, for there appeared from among the greyand ghostly trees the sad procession of the doomed.
First, with chains about their ankles, and wrists fast bound, came theunlucky officials who for too slavishly literal obedience were toserve as a sop to the people. A purr of applause, a drawing in of thebreath, like the sibillation of the plashing wave, went round thethrong, as the heads of the condemned were severed; for there is nodenying that it is delicious to enjoy the discomfiture of foes. Butthis act of popular justice accomplished, there was a pause, and thenthe assemblage, changing its tone, sent up a protesting moan oftribulation, accompanied by tears; for, smiling, with head well poisedand brawny shoulders bare, the patriot, who was one of themselves,advanced to martyrdom. By his side, in mien as brave as he, walked inher best kimono his wife, the hapless Kennui, leading in each hand achild, pathetically crowned with simple field-flowers. Ah me! Howgrievous a spectacle was this of innocence marching to the slaughter.
There was a rustle and ripple as of wind over a rice field.O'Tei alone of all appeared unmoved. But for the twitching ofslightly-contracted brows, her delicate features might have beencarven, as, peering into space and seeing nothing, she sat motionlesswith bloodless lips.
Even the fair and outrageously irreverent and saucy O'Kiku, who hadmade so merry, with that musical strong voice of hers, Over the ruefulplight of the tax-gatherers, as to draw on herself the flatteringattention of the Daimio, was obliged, at sight of the babes, to dashaway one tiny crystal drop; but then remembering that weeping makespink the nose, and that life at best is brief, she resumed the reinsof composure. More, for she succeeded in emitting such a jocund andappropriate peal of laughter as disconcerted the mob and wrung forbehoof of the stranger a gratified inclination from my lord. Who wasthis bewitching creature? he began to ask. As good-looking assensible. The eyes of the pretty girl beyond the common barrier andthose of the great man on the mat of honour met, and from beneath asilky curtain the former shot forth a languishing glance of modest andreluctant but uncontrollable admiration, which was answered by abrazen ogle.
O'Kiku blushed like a budding peony, which made her look more engagingthan ever, and lowering her lids behind her fan, began seriously tocongratulate herself. How clever she had been, adapting herself tocircumstances, to postpone those tiresome prayers at Ise; for 'twasmore and more evident that the great man cared nothing for the stonyimage by his side, and was susceptible to the blandishments of beauty.It was rather fortunate, too, that that other one with the scar uponhis brow should be glumly engrossed in contemplating the heavens. Hadshe not, with a precision of judgment that was worthy of all praise,arranged that she would ensnare the great man first, and dally withthe other afterwards? Even so well skilled a person as the geishawould have found it difficult to angle for both in the presence of oneanother. The Daimio caught and landed, fishing for the elder brotherwould be a delightful pastime. Yes. Business first and pleasureafterwards. Buddha is always on his lotus, calm and cross-legged, andto him, in matter of favours asked, all times are one, for is he noteternal? Whereas it must be evident to the smallest capacity that thegreat ones of the earth are not always accessible, but, within range,must be shot flying as they pass.
Her plans arranged with accuracy and speed, the wily damsel commencedsuch a series of arch man[oe]uvres with eyes and fan as a long andvaried experience had taught were deadly; a silent yet eloquentlanguage, which pleasantly titillated the nerves of the first of herintended victims. When public opinion and your own conscience upbraidyour act, it is consoling to be encouraged by a pair of lustrous orbs.Sympathy, always sweet, is doubly so when we secretly know that we arewrong. By contrast, O'Tei's recent behaviour now seemed doublyexecrable to No-Kami. Her cold glance, even in the early days hadbetrayed a polite indifference, which gradually changed, as heremembered now with sullen ire, into an expression of scorn halfveiled, varied with dread and horror. As he gazed on the dazzlinggeisha, his spirits rose to blytheness.
How whimsical are the arrangements of Nature! He could see now why hiswife, despite her beauty, had always been repellent. She was tall andfrigid, with an assumption of faultlessness which cannot but bedisapproved by those who make no pretence to ph[oe]nixdom; whereasthere, opposite, sent by the gods to comfort his loneliness, was afairy vision replete with glowing perfections, accentuated by thepiquancy of frailty, which he yearned to clasp in his arms. Sure sofragile an atomy would melt away in the fervour of a hot embrace? Yetno. The flesh was flesh--warm with life, deliciously solid and plumpand peachen, if sylph-like in contour.
Thrilled with desire of possession, the pageant interested my lord nomore save for the amusement it afforded to the stranger. Somewhatvexed and annoyed by the ill-timed gurgles of the scum (yet what canyou expect of low people but vulgarity?), he was pleased to perceive,by engaging little pouts and shoulder-shrugs and entrancingnose-wrinklings, that the stranger from afar was with him. It wasevident that she deemed the sentence just--his severity wise andopportune. Stealing a glance at the chill statue by his side, uponwhich the anxious gaze of his brother was fixed, he became muchannoyed; for in every line of O'Tei's suffering face was imprinted
remonstrance and despair. Sampei, too, the milksop, appeared quite asmiserable. It was a fortunate chance indeed that had brought thegeisha to the castle.
From afar there boomed across the flat a sweet but solemn sound thatstirred the hearts of all; for was not the peal of the great bronzebell of Buddha a mystic friend close woven in the life of each? Everyday its toll awoke the slumbering peasants for miles around, preachingwith mellow voice a life of honest labour; and, ablutions over, eachsimple man and woman, with fervent face turned to the rising sun,clapped palms together, craving a blessing on their toil.
To the superstitious Japanese the bronze temple bell is a livingentity. It breathes with their breath, joys with their joy, grieveswith their sorrow. As wood and brook are peopled, so are the templeand groves; and the great bronze bell is the voice of the myriadspirits, messengers of Buddha's will. How exasperatingly pestilent,therefore, was it now of Masago to give to the festivity a mournfulturn of warning by slowly beating the bell as if for some popularcalamity.
A shudder passed over the crowd. Hark' What was that? The soughing ofthe wind? The twee-twee of the shrill cicada? No. A faint and distantchant, growing each moment louder; and, as he heard, the face of mylord grew purple and his brow black with rage, which he was vainlyseeking to control. He, like the others, guessed the purport of themusic, and his fingers mechanically sought his sword-hilt. Thatabominable Abbess, not to be daunted by recent contumely, was againcoming to the castle with all her bonzes and her maidens to demand atleast the lifeless bodies of those who were about to die. Nothingcould be more inopportune,--better calculated to mar the pageant; forof what use were sweetmeats and fruit and the best tea as concomitantsto a grim enjoyment made fascinating by wholesome terror, if theoccasion were suddenly to be turned into one of open mourning? Whatwas to be done? If 'twas but a bevy of priests, a few deft taps intender places with the bamboo would send them squealing; but thevoices were those of women, and even a tyrannical daimio will not gainin dignity by the scourging of a posse of girls. For an instant hebreathed a deep curse upon all women--universal marplots; but,catching the glance of the stranger, he recanted. Even she found itdifficult to combat her emotion. Her cheek had blanched, her lovelybosom heaved under the crape kimono; but being a damsel of strongwill, gifted with a power of seeing ahead, she forced an arch flashfrom her eye, for the comfort of her new adorer. By a swift signalshe bade him know that her sympathy was with him still. By instinctborn of new affection, he seemed to read her thoughts. Abbesses arecross-grained, churlish hags, she seemed to say,--disappointed becauseyouth has fled. Yet, in her heart, she could not but be aware thatthings were going badly, and that the effect produced by that gruesomefestivity was far from the one intended. Well, so much the better, forher sympathy was rendered thereby more precious. Instead of acceptingtheir harsh lesson with humble and meek duty, the fractious mob ofartizans and mean persons, who should have been awed by mere admissionwithin the castle, were presuming, with sighs and lamentations, openlyto side with the convicted! With sobs and streaming cheeks thespectators leaned over the barriers, and, with low murmurs of "Cruel!"and "Pitiless!" threw their sweetmeats to the little ones.
Beyond the outer wall, glinting through embrasures in the masonry, therapid river rushed red and golden, flushed by the sinking sun. Itsglitter was reflected in the eyes of Koshiu, who, with a martyr'ssmile, hearkened to the swell of the dirge. How comforting it was! Howgood of Buddha, the silent and watchful, thus to have inspired hispriestesses! The will of a wicked man could keep them beyond the moat,but their voices, preternaturally clear with words from beyond thegrave, floated over bolts and barriers. 'Twas with exultation andglee, as of one heated with warm wine, that, drawing his burly form toits full height, Koshiu turned him to his wife as both were bound totheir crosses.
"Cheer thee, dear Kennui!" he gaily laughed. "A spasm, and thenhappiness. It is given me to see, and I behold. Our poor transientlives are forfeit in this dim world of twilight, but our end isgained. The odious taxes are removed, and our brethren, not yet ripefor flitting, may rise upon their feet; for my lord is banned, thedays of his oppression numbered. With deep humility and praise I see amiracle. In the next cycle--which is but a tiny step--we are rich andprosperous, ay and, oh wonder! reunited. Gennosuke will be reborn tous, and our little Sohei and dear Kihachi, in a clime where the Hojosare not."
As the chant pealed louder yet, the chief victim was wrapped inecstasy, shared as it seemed by his faithful helpmeet, for with brighteyes fixed on him she forgot her children's suffering, wistfullyawaiting their rebirth.
Not so the appalled audience, who, shivering with terror, watched theEtas at their work. Who may presume to gauge the designs of theEternal? For his own mysterious ends--upright on his lotos--he waspermitting this great wickedness; but whilst permitting, and lestmortals should lose their trust, and topple into unbelief, he deignedto raise a corner of the veil. 'Twas clear that the doomed farmer wasbig with prophecy. What words would next drop from his lips? And aboutthe heads of the children too--the innocents--there gleamed a mysticradiance. When, to accompany their feudal leader on his passage of theriver Sandzu, the privileged members of his bodyguard perform the riteof harakiri, 'tis the deliberate act of mature men, whose hands aresteadied by faith unwavering. As such, it inspires respect and awe inwhich there is no fear. But to look on at ignorant and helplessinfants butchered! oh, woeful sight! And, while the dread deed isbeing done, to hearken to the prophetic words of him who stands besidethem on the brink. Well may the cheek blanch and the breast heave ofthose privileged to witness such a spectacle! Sure 'twas supported bythe holy finger of the Unseen himself that Gennosuke assumed a manlydignity beyond his thirteen years as, stretching forth his head to theknife, he looked calmly up at the executioner. "Oh, father andmother," he simply said, "and little brothers, I go first, to wait foryou, and will put forth my hand to help you across the river. All youwho have come to see us die, farewell! and to you, sir, also a kindfarewell. Hurt me as little as you may."
Even the headsman, a stalwart Eta, brutalised by his bleeding and longyears of taunts and flouts, turned a glassy eye of appeal upon hislord, but seeing no mercy on his gloomy visage, was fain, unnerved andstricken to the heart, to do his revolting duty. A gleam through thestill air, and straightway a piteous wail from the onlookers, inharmony with the distant dirge.
Then said the second lad, miraculously brave,--"I know not how to die,sir, and I beg you teach me." His blood was quickly swallowed by thegreedy sand; and then 'twas the turn of the babe--the wee naked urchinwith skin so berry-brown, who wist so little what was forward that, ashe stretched his tiny fingers for a persimmon that was tossed to him,he was sent to rejoin his brethren.
Roused by the groan that was forced from many breasts, Kennui spoke,her eyes fixed steadily upon her husband. "Mourn not," she said, asone who beholds a vision. "How blessed are we! From the first youforesaw this fate. A little wrench--no more. Man lives but for alifetime, his good name for many, and that is more precious thanlife!"
The voice of Kennui waxed faint, for, tight bound as she was, thespear of the Eta was more kindly than the Hojo; and it was only whenhe knew himself alone--all those he loved waiting on the furthershore--that the farmer roused himself from musing.
Twisting his body towards my lord so far as his bonds permitted, heslowly wagged his head and laughed low and long. "Could I live herefive hundred lives in pomp like thee," he said, "I would not, knowingthat which will come after. Oh, cruel one! oh, pitiless!--steeped tothe lips in crime. Fence thee with walls, and moats, and barriers ofstone, my spirit shall burst them all to avenge thy deed this day!Hearken to my voice. Mark my red eyes. Waking and sleeping--in the dinof battle--in thy secret chamber--they shall be with thee. When theyfade, know that thy end is nigh. Thy time is brief. All-patient Buddhasickens at thee. Last of thy race. Thou and thine--all, all--shallperish miserably--thy name a horror for all time."
The voice of the martyr choked. The sable phalanx of grim warriorsq
uaked and rustled in their armour like leaves before the comingstorm. The Eta, scarce knowing what he did, beside himself with fear,plunged the lance into his side.
The head of the farmer drooped; his eyes filmed, then opened widelurid, reflecting the crimson sunset. "See yonder river," he gasped,"and take a sign. 'Tis tinged with blood already, sucked from thyfortress stones. See how red it flows! A day shall come when it willlap those stones no more. Then shall thy house fall, a shapeless ruin.Cursed, thrice cursed, be the long line of Hojo! In cycles yet to comemay they stumble and wander, led astray, hopeless, and blind, andnever attain oblivion!"
The Daimio, with lightning in his glance, and terror in his heart,rose up, and, speechless with passion, stretched forth his hand. Thetrembling Eta again thrust in his weapon, and the voice of menace washushed. But the sightless eyes still gazed at him, who was accursed asfrom out of the infinite, and the reflection from the river shoneforth, cast back ensanguined, from them.
A panic fell on the spectators. The men, fearing they knew not what,grew pale; the women shrieked, and stuffed fingers into ears, or clungwildly one to another. The samurai, grouped behind their lord, placedhands on swords, irresolute; for there was no foe worthy of theirsteel. A regrettable _denouement_. 'Twas the Eta's fault--the tardycaitiff! His life should pay the penalty. Then of a sudden there was adiversion. The lady O'Tei, who, statue-like and numb, had witnessedthe scene as one who saw not, willowed forward with a moan, and fellon her face unconscious.
No-Kami looked around, his eyes bloodshot like the dead. Humiliationon humiliation. So intense was the depth of his impotent wrath, thathis hands trembled, and his nerves were wrung with agony. What?He? Hojo No-Kami--tyrant of broad Japan, master of the Emperorhimself--before whom all daimios and kuges and hatamotos were wont tobow, was to be bearded--openly insulted--by a low peasant fellowwithin the precincts of his castle, before his assembled vassals! Thewretch was dead, worse luck, out of reach of further torment, bleedingfrom many spear-wounds; but ere he died he had covered his lord withridicule. How different was the result of the pageant from that whichhad been proposed. The superstitious people clearly believed that thebody hanging by its ropes was that of a martyred saint, who had spokenthe words of Buddha; not of an insolent varlet who had perished withdeserved ignominy. They believed the absurd threat about the river,and looked with awe for the accomplishment of the prophecy. The onlydignified way out of the dilemma was by treating it with lightcontempt, turning it off as a sorry jest, with a peal of disdainfulmerriment. The attitude of Sampei was worthy of his stock. Involvedwith his brother in the curse, he had raised his brows in angry scorn,while his fingers moved towards his dirk. Then of a sudden, his mannerhad lamentably changed. With a sibillation of dismay, he had kneltover the swooning chatelaine, striving to call her to herself withgentle words of comfort. O'Tei! Ah, there was the worst point of all!By fainting thus inopportunely, she had accentuated the falseness ofthe position. That she (the chatelaine of Tsu) should cower under theanathema of a peasant. How different would have been the conduct ofthe bellicose Tomoye. To swoon thus in public, was to betray unfitnessfor her rank,--to allow the scum to perceive that she believed inthe curse, and its justice,--that she disapproved the fiat of mylord,--regretted his well-timed severity. Sampei was right when hepleaded for the too weak O'Tei. So scalding was the shame of theDaimio, that, but for the intervening figure of his brother, he wouldthen and there have struck the craven chatelaine. And yet not so. Hisloathing and hatred for his unworthy partner was so intense, thatcontact even with her robe-hem would at this juncture have been mostdistasteful. Glancing about for consolation, his eyes met those ofO'Kiku, and there shot into his heart a glow of solace which to itsemptiness had been long unknown.
Circumstances were assisting the man[oe]uvres of the cunning geishamore than she could have dared to hope. The helpless misery ofNo-Kami, as he looked down upon his wife, was a confirmation of herconjectures. A chicken-hearten rival, easily vanquished, thishigh-bred chatelaine would prove, since she would obtain no supportfrom her spouse. The brother was unnecessarily affectionate. What didthis portend? O'Kiku's smooth brow was wrinkled by a frown. Pooh! Shehad heard much of the General, whose name was Sampei--the name shelearned from the crowd. He was good-natured and generous, no more.This was not the moment to dream of him, since the head of his clanwas standing by in need of moral support.
O'Kiku had lived an eventful life, if a short one, and was not one tobe alarmed by spectres. Taken aback for a moment, somewhat frightenedby the scene, involved for a few seconds in the unreasoning panic ofthe mob, she had quickly regained aplomb.
Tapping her fan against the barrier with a peevish shrug of shapelyshoulders, she demanded, in a chirrupping voice, as loud and clear asmusical, to be instantly rescued from contamination.
"It serves me right," she cried, tossing her chin, "for abandoning therealm of fashion. Faugh! Was there ever anything so disgusting asthese rustics? The country with its evil-smelling rice paddy and foulslush was fit for them, and they for it. What a ridiculous pother, tobe sure, over one paltry man's impertinence! The ways of the coolieswere nauseous. Thank the gods, she was unaccustomed to coolies. Ifsome one would have the gallantry to remove her from their contact,she would skip into her kago, and return to Kamakura forthwith." Oh,intriguing and long-headed O'Kiku! Ah, if O'Tei had had presence ofmind to accept the situation in this spirit! Could No-Kami ever lavishsufficient gratitude for so signal a service rendered in the nick oftime?
The bewitching tourist had touched the right note, and saved theDaimio from embarrassment. With a smile of thanks, he bowed, andcommanded an officer without delay to extricate the lady from thescum. With courteous apologies and well-turned compliments hedescended from the dais, and, taking the stranger by the finger-tips,led her to the place of honour. Ignoring his wife, who, seemingly aslifeless as the farmer's family, was being gently borne away, underthe tender surveillance of his brother, he was free to superintend thestranger's comfort, to see that the new-comer was provided with tea,in a cup of the best hirado, and plied with the choicest sweetmeats. Ablush of gratified vanity served to add piquancy to her beauty, as,with an engaging air of bashfulness that went well with long lashesand sly glances, she seemed to deprecate attention.
"I was so sorry for you," she gently purred; "but 'tis the penalty ofgreatness to be misinterpreted."
Fanning herself with demure grace, she turned her pretty head aside tohearken to the words of her host, gazing the while with studiednonchalance at the proceedings of the Etas as they placed the heads inbuckets, piled the bodies of the infants behind a convenient screen,did away with tokens of the sacrifice. The hollow square ofdark-mailed men remained motionless till it should please their lordto move; but under many an iron vizard was a smile lurking, for theconduct of the saucy lady was approved by all, and the admiration ofNo-Kami no more than natural. Unlike the one who had been borne away,she was an honour to her sex, a vision of brightness and of courage,and gladly would one and all have hailed such as she for theirmistress.
"You were cruel just now," whispered No-Kami; "though, after what hashappened, 'twas your right."
"Cruel? Poor little I?" exclaimed the artless geisha. "Why, I neverhurt so much as a buzzing mantis when it tumbled on my head, as thevexatious insects will! I cruel indeed!"
"You said you would depart forthwith; but you forgot that within thesewalls you are our prisoner."
"I was on my way to pray at Ise," remarked the demure damsel; "sureyou would not balk so pious an intent?"
"That can wait--and must!" returned the Daimio. "Bad impressions mustbe effaced. You must not relate to the Shogun, on your return toKamakura, how the lion of Tsu was bearded. For a few days, at least,you stay as our guest, or else our captive."
O'Kiku laughed a rippling laugh, as she considered within herself asto which was likely to be the captive.
"When a great lord commands," she murmured, "a poor weak girl obeys."
Exultant glee pervade
d the bosom of the Daimio. The welcome new-comershould be his guest--his honoured guest---and the pusillanimous O'Teishould be taught manners by example. He was about to move towards thecastle, conducting with due ceremony the lady thither, when, with afamiliar fan-tap on the arm, she stayed his progress.
"You are so good and kind,--so generous, and so wickedlymisinterpreted," she whispered hurriedly, "that I take courage,although a stranger, to crave a boon. Your object accomplished, 'tisthe moment to show clemency, and disclaim the stigma of the tyrant.Those nuns still sing without, awaiting the bodies for interment. Letthem be delivered up to them. The first favour I ever asked," sheadded gently, seeing the Daimio hesitate. "Believe me, 'twould be anact of policy, and stay farther clamour."
No-Kami looked down into the deep dark well of her eyes, from which hecould see peeping his own pleased reflection. Why, what a treasure wasthis--a wise little counsellor! More than ever was he disgusted withthe absent chatelaine, who could only implore, and writhe, and groan,and grovel on the ground in intervals of stony glaring. Practical, andshrewd, and plump, and purring was this fairy by his side. She shouldhave her boon, and welcome, with many thanks for the suggestion.
The Daimio having been pleased to announce that, yielding to theintercession of his charming guest, Masago might be permitted toremove the corpses, he crossed the inner moat, followed by hisbrilliant train, while the grim samurai laughed behind their vizards,wondering how the ladies would agree.
The Curse of Koshiu: A Chronicle of Old Japan Page 9
