der. At a safe distance wonder and advice
was expressed. "Deign to be off, Kakunai San. Truly the animal is foxed,
and foxes enough are to be found in Yoshiwara. He will find company
without fail." Kakunai, as he restrained the beast, now full at
ease--"Of that we are assured. Alas! He cannot squat. In that he is
clumsy, as is the red haired, green-eyed western barbarian. Otherwise it
is not Kakunai who would bring coin to Nakanocho[u], but convey money
hence." Some agreed, and some disagreed, and all congratulated. Thus did
horse and groom get much advertisement at the O[u]te-mon, to the
subsequent profit of both.

Shu[u]zen, audience granted, appeared at the castle gate. Respectfully
the crowd drew apart, and watched the lord depart with his train. Never
had one of the minor _hatamoto_ attracted greater attention; and of
these many were notable men for personal exploits. Entirely unconscious
of this notice Shu[u]zen rode off to his _yashiki_. In the course of
the succeeding days many visits were to be paid, and the wondrous fact
had chance to spread from the under world to the surface. At the
_yashiki_ of Abe Shiro[u]goro[u] the salutations were exchanged; the
spiced _sake_ to preserve life--the _to[u]so_--was brought forth.
Shu[u]zen detected in his host a quizzical, even amused attitude. Said
Shiro[u]goro[u]--"Shu[u]zen Uji, did he deign to ride, or mount the
_kago_ (palanquin)." The question was abrupt, and seemed not over
courteous. A _hatamoto_ of four hundred _koku_ possessed steed and
spearmen. Abe Shiro[u]goro[u] was a great lord, and Shu[u]zen answered
smoothly, seeking any source of offense. To his affirmative, said the
host--"Then Shu[u]zen Dono perhaps deigned to mount the favourite and
talking horse.... Surely he knows of the animal's great gift....
Congratulations are due, for what is the talk of the castle precincts."
Shu[u]zen's astonishment was too great not to be genuine. He was the
first to propose to Abe Dono the taking of a look at the noted beast. He
was eager to inspect an animal, which, it seemed, he had as yet never
seen. The two lords came forth to the _genkwan_ (house entrance). On
summons Kakunai brought forward the horse, expecting his lord to mount,
not exactly understanding the presence of the lord of the mansion.
Shu[u]zen's first words enlightened him unpleasantly. With some
severity--"Kakunai, does this horse talk?" Thunderstruck Kakunai did not
know what answer to make. Kage could bi