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MR. BAI TALKS POLITICS. 97
" The rebels tried all sorts of plans to increase
their provisions or to get Yoshi-iy away. Once,
when the} r sent several scores of their weakest men
into Yoshi-iye"s camp to surrender themselves, Hide"taka,
one of his captains, said, ' It is only to make
their food last longer. Better cut off their heads.'
The prisoners were made to kneel down in a row
and their heads were cut off.
" The rebels now begged to be allowed to surrender,
and asked that Yoshimitsu should come to them
to make conditions. Yoshi-iye' sent Hide'taka, who
entered the rebel lines. They surrounded him with
their swords drawn out. But Hide'taka was not in
the least frightened. Then they tried to bribe him,
and offered a great share of booty.
" ' I '11 not trouble you to bribe me : we may make
booty of your goods at any moment ;
'
and stroking
his sword he went out.
" The weather became still colder, thick ice formed,
and fuel was scarce. One night Yoshi-iye' issued
orders to his army, ' Burn your camp to keep warm.
The rebels' stockade will fall to-night. We '11 not
need the camp again.'
"At the dawn of day the stronghold was forced
and set on fire. The rebel chiefs folded their hands
and surrendered. Their den was swept out and
handed over to the civil authorities ;
the treasonable
rebels all became the subjects of the Mikado, and
the great province DeVa was added to the peaceful
realm of the sovereign of Great Japan.
" With all his victories Yoshi-iye* was very modest.