f the cavern. Isuke spoke in surprise. "Naruhodo! At night the
place seems much brighter than by day." He looked around in some
suspicion and astonishment. Then his eye rested on the torches. "Oya!
The torch burns brightly, not dimly as before. Pfu! The stench is
unaltered, but the air at least is breathable." Preceding his master by
some ten paces, Shu[u]zen heard him give a shout. Hastening up, with
Isuke he bent over the aperture of what seemed to be a well. What was
its depth? "In with you, Isuke," said Shu[u]zen. The _chu[u]gen_
protested--"Nay! The Tono Sama deigns to jest. Is Isuke a bat
(_ko[u]mori_), one to fly off into the darkness.... Ah! The depth is
terrific. The light hardly shows the blackness of the place. It may
reach down to Meido itself." Shu[u]zen lit a second torch, then cast it
down into the cavity. He broke into a laugh. The light continued to burn
brightly. "Meido then is not far off. The bottom of the well lies not
five _shaku_ (feet) below. Now in with you!" Anticipating the
_chu[u]gen_ he sprang down himself.

Isuke spoke, holding his nose--"Heigh! Tono Sama, deign to go no
further. The stink passes beyond measurement. It increases with distance
gone. Peugh! It blows from yonder." He pointed to a low aperture in one
corner of the roundish space in which they stood. Shu[u]zen could
understand better now. The whole cave was due to water; had been formed
by water in the loose volcanic soil. The well was a mere passage way by
which it once had risen, and been drained off again. Isuke was right.
With decuple vigour the stench now rose close to hand. "In with you,"
was the peremptory order. "Anything found in way of gold and silver
belongs to Isuke; and caves are always rich in such finds."--"Is that
so?" said the _chu[u]gen_--"It is the tale of old books; which often
lie. But in with you, and find out." Under spur of avarice and command
Isuke crawled into the passage. He had gone but a bare ten feet when
Shu[u]zen heard a most fearful yell, saw the rapid progress outwards of
the posteriors of Isuke. The man's face was chalk white--"Deign, Danna
Sama, to go no further." He choked for utterance. "How now!" said
Shu[u]zen in pretended astonishment. "Fox or badger? They were to be
converted into soup for Katai Isuke, soft food for his grinders."--"For
fox or badger Isuke cares not. He invites their presence.... Kiya!"
Shu[u]zen in sport had placed a cold wet hand on his neck. "Ah! The
Danna jests. Of f