ccepted the decree without a
murmur; and, having committed his wife and son to the care of his
relations, prepared to leave the country as a Ronin and search for
Banzayemon.

Before starting, however, he thought that he would go to his
brother-officer, Takagi Umanojo, and consult with him as to what
course he should pursue to gain his end. But this Umanojo, who was by
nature a churlish fellow, answered him unkindly, and said--

"It is true that Banzayemon is a mean thief; but still it was through
your carelessness that the sword was lost. It is of no avail your
coming to me for help: you must get it back as best you may."

"Ah!" replied Sanza, "I see that you too bear me a grudge because I
defeated you in the matter of the judgment of the sword. You are no
better than Banzayemon yourself."

And his heart was bitter against his fellow men, and he left the house
determined to kill Umanojo first and afterwards to track out
Banzayemon; so, pretending to start on his journey, he hid in an inn,
and waited for an opportunity to attack Umanojo.

One day Umanojo, who was very fond of fishing, had taken his son
Umanosuke, a lad of sixteen, down to the sea-shore with him; and as
the two were enjoying themselves, all of a sudden they perceived a
Samurai running towards them, and when he drew near they saw that it
was Sanza. Umanojo, thinking that Sanza had come back in order to talk
over some important matter, left his angling and went to meet him.
Then Sanza cried out--

"Now, Sir Umanojo, draw and defend yourself. What! were you in league
with Banzayemon to vent your spite upon me? Draw, sir, draw! You have
spirited away your accomplice; but, at any rate, you are here
yourself, and shall answer for your deed. It is no use playing the
innocent; your astonished face shall not save you. Defend yourself,
coward and traitor!" and with these words Sanza flourished his naked
sword.

"Nay, Sir Sanza," replied the other, anxious by a soft answer to turn
away his wrath; "I am innocent of this deed. Waste not your valour on
so poor a cause."

"Lying knave!" said Sanza; "think not that you can impose upon me. I
know your treacherous heart;" and, rushing upon Umanojo, he cut him on
the forehead so that he fell in agony upon the sand.

Umanosuke in the meanwhile, who had been fishing at some distance from
his father, rushed up when he saw him in this perilous situation and
threw a stone at Sanza, hoping to distract his attention; b