h hopes
of an early disposition of the incubus. He approached the ditch which
protected the wall of the _yashiki_ of Prince Kuroda. When about to put
down the bundle a hail reached him from the _samurai_ on guard at the
Kuroda gate. "Heigh there, rascal! Wait!" But Densuke did not wait. In
terror he gave the load a shift on his shoulder and started off almost
at a run. On doing so there was a movement within. The cold sweat stood
out on the unhappy man's forehead. A moment, and would the teeth of
Jusuke be fastened in his shoulder? "Ah! Jusuke San! Good neighbour!
This Densuke is but the wretched agent. 'Tis Daihachiro[u] Sama who
killed Jusuke. Deign to pursue and haunt Takahashi Sama. Jusuke San!
Jusuke San!" Fright gave him strength and boldness. The Tora no Mon
(Tiger gate) of the castle should be the place of disposal. Here the
ditch was deep and dark. But to its very edge swarmed the people with
their lanterns on this night of festival in early summer. The moor of
Kubomachi was his next goal. At this period it really was open ground.
With a sigh of relief Densuke let the bundle slip from his now weary
shoulders. Alive he would have laughed at the idea of carrying the
portly Jusuke. Yet here the usurer bestrode him, far heavier weight than
on other unfortunate clients. "Let's have a look at him; address him
face to face." His hand was on the knot, when a woman's voice spoke in
his ear. Densuke did not wait to ascertain the nature of her
solicitation. He sped away into the darkness, toward the distant city.
Without goal, he found himself at Shiodome.[9] Crossing the Shimbashi he
entered on the crowded and lighted Owaricho[u]. It was only the hour of
the pig (9 P.M.), and the house lanterns as yet burned brightly. He
hesitated, with the idea of turning toward Shiba, of trying his luck in
this still rustic district; or on the seashore, not far off.

A man close by greeted him. "Iya! Densuke San at last is found. The
honoured wife suffers great anxiety. Thinking that the festival might be
the attraction this Goemon set out to find you. Deign to hasten at once
to Goro[u]beicho[u]." Densuke shifted his burden away from the man. Did
it not already somewhat taint the air? His nostrils were wide open in
alarmed inquiry. He made excuses. With his heavy pack he would follow
after slowly. He was overwhelmed by his neighbour's kindness. Goemon
offered to share the work. Densuke did more than refuse. Unable to shake
off his comp