e characters: you can see for
yourselves that they have not been painted. Moreover, it is well known
that such goblins have been dwelling in the mountains of the province
of Kai from very ancient time... But you, Sir," he exclaimed, turning
to Kwairyo,--"what sort of sturdy priest may you be? Certainly you have
given proof of a courage that few priests possess; and you have the air
of a soldier rather than a priest. Perhaps you once belonged to the
samurai-class?"

"You have guessed rightly, Sir," Kwairyo responded. "Before becoming a
priest, I long followed the profession of arms; and in those days I
never feared man or devil. My name then was Isogai Heidazaemon
Taketsura of Kyushu: there may be some among you who remember it."

At the mention of that name, a murmur of admiration filled the
court-room.; for there were many present who remembered it. And Kwairyo
immediately found himself among friends instead of judges,--friends
anxious to prove their admiration by fraternal kindness. With honor
they escorted him to the residence of the daimyo, who welcomed him, and
feasted him, and made him a handsome present before allowing him to
depart. When Kwairyo left Suwa, he was as happy as any priest is
permitted to be in this transitory world. As for the head, he took it
with him,--jocosely insisting that he intended it for a miyage.

And now it only remains to tell what became of the head.

A day or two after leaving Suwa, Kwairyo met with a robber, who stopped
him in a lonesome place, and bade him strip. Kwairyo at once removed
his koromo, and offered it to the robber, who then first perceived what
was hanging to the sleeve. Though brave, the highwayman was startled:
he dropped the garment, and sprang back. Then he cried
out:--"You!--what kind of a priest are you? Why, you are a worse man
than I am! It is true that I have killed people; but I never walked
about with anybody's head fastened to my sleeve... Well, Sir priest, I
suppose we are of the same calling; and I must say that I admire
you!... Now that head would be of use to me: I could frighten people
with it. Will you sell it? You can have my robe in exchange for your
koromo; and I will give you five ryo for the head."

Kwairyo answered:--

"I shall let you have the head and the robe if you insist; but I must
tell you that this is not the head of a man. It is a goblin's head. So,
if you buy it, and have any trouble in consequence, please to remember
that yo