with his preparations for out door service. His wife,
granddaughter of old Nagasaki Chiyari Kuro[u]--he of the "bloody
spear"--was the _samurai_ woman, to aid her lord in his duty, not to
hold him back with tears and plaints. The pair were admirable specimens
of their caste. Endo[u] Saburo[u]zaemon's grand-father had been a
retainer of that hard hitting Asai Nagamasa who had to bow the head
before the sword of Hideyoshi. The son Kiemon perforce had served the
Taiko[u], and well. It was with more than readiness that he had appeared
in the army of the Tokugawa at Sekigahara, to be killed in all loyalty
before O[u]saka in Genwa 1st year (1618). Saburo[u]zaemon was then but
five years old. But the early Tokugawa did not forget loyal service.
When of age he was summoned to Edo from his native province of O[u]mi,
given duty in the palace service, to become with years a _hatamato_ with
income of four hundred _koku_ and a _yashiki_ in Ichigaya, just beyond
the Gomon or great gate at the outer moat.

In the present matter night must be awaited. When the bell of the
Gekkeiji, the huge temple of the district, struck the watch of the pig
(9-11 P.M.) Endo[u] prepared to set forth. "In case of necessity ask the
aid of Hikoroku Dono, of Juro[u]zaemon."[4] This to his wife. "At least
one attendant? Kyu[u]saburo[u] is old enough to know that these rascals
never deal with more than one human." This to the old _kyu[u]nin_, who
with anxiety watched him depart into the darkness. With a sigh the
officer shut fast the outer gate. Then, sword over his knees, he
squatted himself at the house entrance, to slumber and await his lord's
return.

As officer of the fire ward Saburo[u]zaemon met with little difficulty
in passing the Ichigaya gate, beyond which lay the suspected district of
the Bancho[u]. To the sharp hail and protest at his appearance without a
lantern he sought the service of those of the guard. Surprise and abject
apology followed the bringing of face and equipment into their light. As
on urgent mission to the palace he explained the one and disregarded the
other. For form he borrowed a lantern at the guard house, to leave it in
a hedge close by, to hand for his return if in the darkness. Straight
ahead he walked for some distance. Now he was in the very centre of the
Bancho[u]. It was a most lonely place. The district had been set apart
for the _yashiki_ of _hatamoto_ and the houses of _gokenin_ who showed
no haste to apply for it