The evening before the appointed day all the inns were filled to
overflowing, and fresh visitors arrived far on into the night, only to
be followed, with the dawn, by still greater crowds. Most of them were
farmers from the surrounding country; but a goodly share of strangers was
not wanting, and all found plenty to interest them.
Theatres at that time were not known; but tight-rope performers,
jugglers, dancers, story-tellers, and ballad-singers were in abundance,
all doing a thriving trade.
[Illustration: SINGING GIRLS.]
Among the spectators was a party of three, who had come late in the day
and who stood on a little knoll close to one of the entrances, looking
at the feats of riding and of _kisha_ (archery on horseback), _dakiu_
(polo), _inu-o-mono_ (dog-hunting), and other sports. The group consisted
of a tall, sinewy man of about thirty-five years, although his sad,
furrowed face at first sight made him look much older, a boy not more
than ten by his side, and behind these two one who was evidently an old
retainer. The boy was the son of his companion, as could be seen at a
glance, in spite of the difference between the fresh, bright, sunny
countenance of the one, and the careworn, anxious look of the other. The
contour of the lad’s face was the same as that of the man; the mouth,
although smiling with the innocence of childhood, had the same resolute
cast, and the eyes, now flashing with delight at the gay scene before
them, shone with that look of cool, determined daring so conspicuous in
the father. In the man’s case, indeed, this last feature was developed
to an extent rarely seen; yet it nevertheless seemed so utterly at
variance with the settled, gloomy dejection which overspread his face
that even a passer-by would have been disposed to step and wonder whether
such a character could bear to submit to even the most pitiless blows
of fortune, rather than battle with them and win victory or find rest
in death. In this melancholy aspect, the man offered a marked contrast
to the great throng of sight-seers, whose faces reflected only mirth
and enjoyment; and they looked at him from time to time with no little
awe, giving to him and his companions a wide berth, although the grounds
elsewhere were crowded. Perhaps the dresses of the party, which showed
them to be _samurai_, contributed to this feeling of respect; for members
of the military class did not generally, on such occasions, mix with the
common people, but remained on the platforms and stands erected for them.
Although, however, the three travellers wore _samurai_ dresses, these
were of the poorest description, stained by travel and weather, and the
two swords which each carried in his girdle showed no ornament whatever.
The games had been progressing for some time, and the horses—often
mercilessly punished—became excited and restive; when at last one, whose
youthful rider had treated him to too many kicks of his heavy stirrups,
became uncontrollable, and dashing madly by the grand stand where Lord
Ono ga Sawa was sitting, galloped headlong toward the entrance. Two of
the nimble-footed _bettoes_ (horse-boys) who tried to stop the runaway
were thrown off without difficulty, and a few steps more would have
brought the horse in contact with the frightened crowd of human beings
congregated beyond the barriers, when the older stranger, already
mentioned, stepped forward, and catching hold of the bridle, arrested the
animal without apparently any very great exertion. The rider, who had
managed to keep his seat upon his runaway steed, expressed his warmest
thanks; and shortly afterward a special messenger came with Ono ga Sawa’s
orders to offer places to the stranger and his party, and to invite them
to participate in the games, if they desired to do so. A ready assent
was given to this invitation, and after seeing his companions seated,
the stranger mounted a horse provided for him and entered the lists.
From the very outset he showed himself to be more than a match for any
one present, excelling in riding, fencing, archery, and in every other
manly accomplishment there displayed. Yet his face never relaxed its
severe, taciturn expression; and although he was scrupulously polite and
attentive to every detail of knightly courtesy, he went through it all,
not like an enthusiastic votary, but rather as a man fulfilling a duty
which involved no thought of pleasurable excitement. A very flattering
invitation to visit the castle and partake of the feast spread there, and
also to present himself formally before the Duke, was at once extended to
him.
[Illustration: THE DUKE RECEIVING MUTTO.]
When in the evening he repaired thither with his companions, it was
easy to see that the report of his exploits had preceded his arrival.
Every eye was upon him as he passed to the inner hall, where Ono ga
Sawa, surrounded by his principal vassals, received him with more state
and ceremony than an unknown and unheralded stranger could well have
expected. “I have been a pleased witness of your feats of strength and
skill to-day,” the Duke began, after the new-comer had made the usual
obeisance, “and I wish to ask you whether, if not bound by other ties,
you are willing to engage yourself at my court.”
“I am now seeking where to tender my services, and I shall be thankful
to be able to do so here,” was the rather short, but respectfully given,
answer. When the Duke spoke again, his tone was a shade less courteous
and pleasant. The stranger had taken his grace too much as a matter of
course. He expected a little more _empressement_. He was accustomed to
see his favors received more demonstratively; and being of a jovial
disposition himself, this cold, unbending reserve in place of the warm
acknowledgments which he expected somewhat displeased him.
“You know who I am,” he said, and as he continued, the shade of
_hauteur_ which he had assumed deepened; “I am Ono ga Sawa, the lord
of this province, the descendant of Kamatari; and I require that those
who surround me shall be men of tried valor and attainments, as well
as of distinguished family and honorable name. The first of these
qualifications you have shown that you possess in an eminent degree, and
it only remains for me to ask who you are and where you come from.”
The stranger bowed his head low; but his humility did not affect his tone
of speech, which was firm and decided. “If your highness deigns to accept
my services, although there may be many superior to me in abilities,
none will excel me in strict performance of my offices and in readiness
to fulfil a _samurai’s_ duties, even to the shedding of the last drop
of my blood in your behalf. I come from a family old and noble, and not
very long ago standing high in the country where we lived; and were it
not that I had known that your highness was a lord of great merit and
high repute, I never would have asked for or even accepted your offer of
engagement. I am now a _ronin_, and am called Mutto Nobuyuki; but my real
name and where I come from I cannot disclose.”
There was a pause which appeared very long to the assembled courtiers,
during which the Duke scrutinized the stranger with a searching glance.
What he saw there probably satisfied him that the other had spoken truly.
In a tone which, although stern, showed nothing of displeasure, he at
last said,—
“You have given me abundant proof of your prowess of body and skill of
arm; and if the strength and depth of your devotion prove equal to these,
as well as to your boldness of speech, I can well congratulate myself
upon enlisting you in my service.”
“I have spoken as becomes a free, unfettered _samurai_,” replied the
stranger. “Once admitted among your liegemen, my speech will seldom be
heard except in due deferential response to your orders.”
“Be it so, then. You shall have your house within the castle, and I
will herewith make you an allowance of fifty _koku_ of rice for your
maintenance.”
This was certainly a liberal allowance for those times, and Mutto
acknowledged it in fitting terms. He then asked permission to introduce
his son, and the boy’s bright, intelligent face and frank yet respectful
behavior found great favor. The Duke spoke to him in a kind, almost
fatherly, way, and on dismissing him ordered his treasurer to give him
a few gold ornaments to put on his sword. He also directed that a seat
at the banquet should be assigned to him by the side of his father. This
brought the audience to a close. Etiquette required them to remain at
the feast until after the Duke had left the hall, and it was far into
the night before they retired to the house which in the mean time had
been prepared for their reception. Their servant, Yamagawa, had arranged
everything in their new domicile; and although their own luggage was
meagre enough, nothing necessary for comfort was lacking, the Duke having
given special orders that everything that was wanted should be supplied
from the ducal storehouses.
[Illustration: SWORD ORNAMENTS.]