upon his sleeve the character
_ki_ [ki], bowed reverently, and disappeared. He awoke seeming to hear
her footsteps. How clear was this dream! The character _ki_, what did it
portend? The Buddha would not fail his priest. Taking himself to the
altar he prostrated himself before the seated figure. Then he prayed.
And as he prayed--perhaps resumed his nap--wonderful to say again the
character [ki] appeared, this time on the Buddha's sleeve. The Sho[u]nin
rubbed his eyes. Was he awake or dreaming? He did not know. "_Ki_," the
chance, the opportunity that the successful man in every undertaking
grasps, where others fail. He must apply it to his own calling and the
crisis. They exercised their brains; he was reputed to be well
furnished. This next night was the last of the third seven days.
Failing favourable issue he would take up his staff and depart to other
place, never to reappear in the beloved precincts of his hall. Thus
inspired he thought and thought. The grave, kindly, piercing eyes became
brighter and brighter. Then his monks came running in surprise and
alarm. The reverend prior was laughing--not in merriment, but with the
joy of him who has found the successful issue to be so plain and easy.

This last and critical night in storm and riot proved to be the worst of
all. Said the Sho[u]nin with grave kindness--"This night the Sho[u]nin
goes; others need not accompany." All rejoiced--until they saw his
preparation to face the rain and cold. Then they weakened, and all plead
to accompany him. Splendid the train assembled around the well curb.
Again the reading of the _sutra_ began, the intonation of the
_nembutsu_. Again the clerics cursed their ill timed enthusiasm, which
brought them out in the storm and to such unseemly company. Again the
ghosts issued forth from the old well in their obscene riot. Jeering,
menacing they swarmed around the frightened priestly band. Immoveable
the prior. Natural and supernatural seemed to hang on the issue between
priest and spectres. The figure of O'Kiku, wan, sad, malignant appeared.
She counted--"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,
nine...."--"Ten!" shouted the Sho[u]nin, extending the Junen. "Ara! What
joy! None lack. Ah! By the Sho[u]nin's virtue this Kiku secures Nirvana.
Gratitude and obeisance are due." With the words the figure faded, the
spectres disappeared, the storm rumbled and passed off rapidly to the
distance, and the stars shone out on the cold clear sky