r fall into the water, saying that if the gods favored her design her
tresses would come out of the water dry and parted in two divisions.
Again the celestial powers heard. Her abundant black locks left the
water dry and neatly parted as by a comb.

Doubt no longer troubled her soul. She at once ordered the generals of
the army to recruit new forces, build ships, and prepare for an ocean
enterprise.

"On this voyage depends the glory or the ruin of our country," she said
to them. "I intrust its details to you, and will hold you to blame if
anything goes amiss through lack of care. I am a woman, and am young.
But I shall undertake this enterprise, and go with you disguised as a
man, trusting to you and my army, and, above all, to the gods. If we are
wise and valiant, a wealthy country shall be ours. If we succeed, the
glory shall be yours; if through evil fortune we fail, on me shall lie
all the guilt and disgrace."

The enthusiasm of the empress infected the commanders, who promised her
their full support in her enterprise, which was by far the greatest that
Japan had ever ventured upon. The ships were built, but the perils of
the voyage frightened the people, and the army increased but slowly.
Impatient at the delay, but with no thought of giving up her task, the
empress again appealed to the gods. A shrine of purification was built,
lustrations were made, sacrifices offered, and prayers for speedy
success sent up to the celestial hosts. The Kami, or gods, proved
favorable still. Troops now came rapidly in. Soon a large army was
assembled and embarked, and all was ready for the enterprise. It was the
year 201 A.D., the first year of the third Christian century.

Jingu now issued her final orders, to the following effect:

"There must be no plundering.

"Despise not a few enemies, and fear not many.

"Give mercy to those who yield, but no quarter to the stubborn.

"The victors shall be rewarded; deserters shall be punished."

Then through her lips the gods spoke again: "The Spirit of Peace will
always guide and protect you. The Spirit of War will guide your ships
across the seas."

It must here be remarked that the annals of Japan do not seem to be in
full harmony. In the days of Sujin the civilizer, a century and a half
earlier, we are told that there was regular communication between Corea
and Kiushiu, and that a prince of Corea came to Japan to live; while the
story of Jingu seems to indicate that Corea wa