wn of Sasai, they sent a herald with the
following message--

"Whereas Kotsuke no Suke killed Sakai Iwami no Kami inside the castle
of Yedo, and has fled to his own castle without leave, he is attainted
of treason; and we, being connected with him by ties of blood and of
friendship, have been charged to seize him."

The herald delivered this message to the councillor of Kotsuke no
Suke, who, pleading as an excuse that his lord was mad, begged the two
nobles to intercede for him. Goto Yamato no Kami upon this called the
councillor to him, and spoke privately to him, after which the latter
took his leave and returned to the castle of Sakura.

In the meanwhile, after consultation at Yedo, it was decided that, as
Goto Yamato no Kami and Midzuno Setsu no Kami were related to Kotsuke
no Suke, and might meet with difficulties for that very reason, two
other nobles, Ogasawara Iki no Kami and Nagai Hida no Kami, should be
sent to assist them, with orders that should any trouble arise they
should send a report immediately to Yedo. In consequence of this
order, the two nobles, with five thousand men, were about to march for
Sakura, on the 15th of the month, when a messenger arrived from that
place bearing the following despatch for the Gorojiu, from the two
nobles who had preceded them--

"In obedience to the orders of His Highness the Shogun, we
proceeded, on the 13th day of this month, to the castle of
Sakura, and conducted a thorough investigation of the affair.
It is true that Kotsuke no Suke has been guilty of treason, but
he is out of his mind; his retainers have called in physicians,
and he is undergoing treatment by which his senses are being
gradually restored, and his mind is being awakened from its
sleep. At the time when he slew Sakai Iwami no Kami he was not
accountable for his actions, and will be sincerely penitent
when he is aware of his crime. We have taken him prisoner, and
have the honour to await your instructions; in the meanwhile,
we beg by these present to let you know what we have done.

"(Signed) GOTO YAMATO NO KAMI.
MIDZUNO SETSU NO KAMI.
_To the Gorojiu, 2d year of Keian, 2d month, 14th day_."

This despatch reached Yedo on the 16th of the month, and was read by
the Gorojiu after they had left the castle; and in consequence of the
report of Kotsuke no Suke's madness, the second expedition