“When we fall in with Matagoro and begin the fight, do you engage and slay your father’s murderer; attack him and him only, and I will keep off his guard of Ronins;” then turning to his two retainers, “As for you, keep close to Kazuma; and should the Ronins attempt to rescue Matagoro, it will be your duty to prevent them, and succour Kazuma.”  And having further laid down each man’s duties with great minuteness, they lay in wait for the arrival of the enemy.  Whilst they were resting in the tea-house, the governor of the castle-town arrived, and, asking for Matayemou, said—­

“I have the honour to be the governor of the castle-town of Todo Idzumi no Kami.  My lord, having learnt your intention of slaying your enemy within the precincts of his citadel, gives his consent; and as a proof of his admiration of your fidelity and valour, he has further sent you a detachment of infantry, one hundred strong, to guard the place; so that should any of the thirty-six men attempt to escape, you may set your mind at ease, for flight will be impossible.”

[Footnote 20:  “In respect to revenging injury done to master or father, it is granted by the wise and virtuous (Confucius) that you and the injurer cannot live together under the canopy of heaven.

“A person harbouring such vengeance shall notify the same in writing to the Criminal Court; and although no check or hindrance may be offered to his carrying out his desire within the period allowed for that purpose, it is forbidden that the chastisement of an enemy be attended with riot.

“Fellows who neglect to give notice of their intended revenge are like wolves of pretext, and their punishment or pardon should depend upon the circumstances of the case.”—­Legacy of Iyeyasu, ut supra.]

When Matayemon and Kazurna had expressed their thanks for his lordship’s gracious kindness, the governor took his leave and returned home.  At last the enemy’s train was seen in the distance.  First came Sakurai Jiuzayemon and his younger brother Jinsuke; and next to them followed Kawai Matagoro and Takenouchi Gentan.  These four men, who were the bravest and the foremost of the band of Ronins, were riding on pack-horses, and the remainder were marching on foot, keeping close together.

As they drew near, Kazuma, who was impatient to avenge his father, stepped boldly forward and shouted in a loud voice—­

“Here stand I, Kazuma, the son of Yukiye, whom you, Matagoro, treacherously slew, determined to avenge my father’s death.  Come forth, then, and do battle with me, and let us see which of us twain is the better man.”

And before the Ronins had recovered from their astonishment, Matayemon said—­

“I, Arake Matayemon, the son-in-law of Yukiye, have come to second Kazuma in his deed of vengeance.  Win or lose, you must give us battle.”