“Now, my man, you must write another letter to confirm the intelligence
contained in this one, and both letters shall be at once shot over the
walls. What! do you hesitate?”
Seeing no course open to him but to obey, Katsutaka did as required.
The two missives were then fastened to an arrow and shot into the
castle by a skilled archer.
The consternation and disappointment of the expectant garrison can be
better imagined than described. All the more bitter was this news from
the hope that had preceded it. Strong men wept.
But Okudaira Jiyemon, chief Councillor, having closely examined the
letters, burst out laughing.
“It is hardly an occasion for mirth, Jiyemon,” said Sadamasa, much
displeased at this untimely merriment. “May I inquire the nature of the
joke?”
“Ha, ha, ha! I beg your lordship’s pardon, but Katsuyori is a dull
fellow to imagine we could be taken in so easily. Be so good as to look
at this paper—it is not the kind manufactured in this province such as
our lord always uses, but in theirs. That one fact gives them away.
Never fear, my lord! Take my word for it, Katsutaka’s signals told the
truth. This is but a plot to deceive us into surrendering before help
comes.”
It was now plain to all that the letters were not genuine and their
spirits again rose. Going up to the high tower Sadamasa called so that
the sentinels on the other side could hear him.
“Soldiers of Kai, approach! I have something to say in answer to the
letters sent me but now. Request an officer to come near enough to hear
my words.”
[Illustration: He raised his voice so that every word rang clear and
distinct]
Nothing doubting but that Sadamasa wished to make terms of surrender,
Katsuyori himself came forth, attended by his suite.
“Accept my best thanks for your arrow-letters,” began Sadamasa
politely. “It was good of you to pass on my father’s communication
and I am much obliged to you.” Then suddenly changing his tone, “Do you
think,” he thundered, “that such a clumsy trick could deceive us or
induce me to give up the stronghold of my ancestors? Fools! The laugh
is on our side! Ha, ha, ha!”
“Ha, ha, ha!” roared the men behind him greatly enjoying the
discomfiture of the men below.
Katsuyori was furious.
“Go, Katsutaka,” he shouted. “Go to the edge of the moat and tell them
that no reinforcements are coming—that they must surrender!”
Guarded by two men, for he had not yet been set at liberty, Katsutaka
stepped forward to the edge of the moat, and raising his voice so that
every word rang clear and distinct:—
“Listen, my lord, and comrades,” he said. “What I tell you is the
truth. Lord Tokugawa and the two Lords Oda, with an allied army of
70,000 men are hastening to your rescue. They will be here to-morrow
without fail. The arrow-letters are utterly false. Rest assured!”
So wholly unexpected was this bold speech that no one thought of
stopping it till the mischief was done. As a mighty cheer
went up from the besieged, however, the infuriated soldiers of the
investing army seized Katsutaka and in mad fury kicked and cuffed
him mercilessly. Then at Katsuyori’s command they crucified him just
opposite the main gate of the castle he had given his life to save.
* * * * *
Early the next morning the allied forces came and the Kai army being
utterly routed, the siege was raised.
[4] A koku is about four bushels; in feudal days it was customary to
pay the samurai in rice.