e cave.
Now possession was secure. From this there was no escape. But it was no
escape for Rokuzo. Now she turned into a huge obscene object, a very
_rokurokubi_, one of those hideous monsters with lengthy neck, gleaming
teeth, and distorted human-like face. Again there was change. He lay
supine and helpless; and extended full length over him was a fox of
portentous size. The sharp, yelping, nasal voice sounded in his ears.
"Coin, wine, then lechery: Rokuzo would drink, then play the beast. The
porter's wage is insufficient. Now let him pay the beast's wage." The
sharp gleaming teeth were at his throat. The foul breath filled his
lungs. Rokuzo struggled for air, shouted for an aid not at hand.
"Drunkard; lecher." By a final effort he would free himself from the
succubus--"Liar!... Namu Amida Butsu! Namu Amida Butsu! Holy the Lord
Buddha!"

A heavy chill went through his body, shaking him from head to foot. He
opened his eyes. In amazement he looked around him. The magnificent
apartment, the women, the garden, the feast, nothing remained of his
night's experience. It was the chill of early dawn, and he was lying on
the bare ground, in the midst of a wild grass grown and deserted moor. A
tree root was his pillow. He rose to find the waters of the Kanda marsh
under his eyes. He was still on the Ichimenhara. The Kudanzaka was yet
to be climbed. Ah! He had been foxed, bewitched by reynard or _tanuki_
(badger). Then remembrance of the _hana-furi-kin_ came to mind. Here
would be proof. He thrust a hand into his bosom--to draw out the leaf of
a tree. There was no doubt about it. And the banquet? At the very
thought of the viands Rokuzo squirmed. He made a gesture of nausea and
disgust. The _sake_--was excrement. The food--worse yet. He felt very
ill.

His aching limbs and heavy head accompanied him to his lord's _yashiki_
in Ichigaya. Rokuzo took to his bed. At the porter's lodge the
_kyu[u]nin_, Naito[u] Kyu[u]saburo[u], inspected the tickets of the
_chu[u]gen_. At last Rokuzo had made his appearance; and had made no
report. He was not long in reaching the _chu[u]gen's_ bedside. With
severe face he questioned him as to his absence and neglect. "Gluttonous
fellow! Something eaten is the cause of the sickness. Rascal that you
are, a good purge is the thing. Then a fast in the jail will restore the
stomach. This the punishment, if great your good luck. Otherwise--it
will be the garden front. Report is to be made." He turned to