e fast. His kitchen began to look like the place where the
Eta (outcasts) slaughter beasts. Densuke shuddered.

Circumstances, the results involved, make the timid brave. Grasping a
pole Densuke started up the ladder leading to the loft and the quarters
of the _ashigaru_. Arrived at the top his eyes took in the poor
apartment. The rafters and beams of a low-cast roof; six wretched
(Loo-choo) mats on the floor, for the men to sit, and sleep, and live
upon; such its bare equipment. In the middle of the mats was a great red
stain. Densuke was at once attracted to it. "A cat would eat a rat; but
it would not wipe up the blood." His eyes were caught by the straw
basket used to store away the raincoats. This was all stained red at the
bottom. Going close up he found it was wet. Perhaps the cat was at work
inside. Densuke raised the cover and looked in. In alarm he sprang back.
On the trunk and limbs of a body was placed a freshly severed head.
Without replacing the cover, with pole uplifted over his head in
defence, Densuke backed toward the ladder. His one idea was to flee this
_yashiki_. As he reached the top of the steps the voice of Daihachiro[u]
was heard below--"A pest on such filthy bath-houses; and filthier
patrons.... What! No rice yet, Densuke? Ah! Where is the fellow?"
Densuke looked down, to meet the altered countenance of Daihachiro[u]
looking up. He retreated as the latter sprang up the ladder.
Daihachiro[u] gave a rapid glance. He saw the raised cover of the
basket. The next moment the bosom of Densuke's dress was harshly
grasped, and he himself was forced down on the floor. Gloomily
Daihachiro[u] regarded him--"Rash and curious fellow! Why not keep to
your pots and pans? Densuke loses his life; and Daihachiro[u] a fool for
a cook." He had drawn his sword to strike. Densuke clung to his knees in
petition--"Pardon, master! Pardon! This Densuke is no idle gossip. The
dripping blood threatened to spoil the meal. Thinking the cat was eating
a rat, fearing the anger of the Danna Sama if the meal had to be
re-cooked, Densuke came up here to chase the animal away. Thus the crime
was discovered...."--"Crime!" thundered Daihachiro[u]. "Ah! This
intermeddler must certainly die. By the word of a _samurai_...." In his
terror Densuke almost put his hand over the irrevocable sentence. He
spoke with life at stake. "Deign, master, to pardon Densuke. He has
committed no offence; knows of no offence in others. Densuke has seen
n