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122 HONDA THE SAMURAI.
"Each one, as he took hold of the hot vessel,
dropped it in a fright, and went off howling and
blowing his fingers ; but when Yoshitsun6 grasped
it, holding it with both hands, he never changed
heart or color, but held it until his brother had
finished washing.
" Yoritomo knew then that his brother Yoshitsune"
had the courage and patience to
to the end."
carry the campaign
"I wonder if my boy could stand such a test,"
said Mr. Rai, looking archly at his son Taro.
" I think he could, husband," said Mrs. Rai
proudly.
" Ah ? Good," said Mr. Rai ;
" give me your spe-
cial reason for thinking so."
" This," answered the proud mother. " Last month
while you were away, Mr. Honda Jiro took Taro off
to Ono during a hunting trip, and there trapped a
badger. Mr. Honda trusted Taro to open the trap,
telling him to dispatch the brute without club or
sword. Though the badger kicked, scratched, and
bit, twisting itself around in a terrible manner, our
boy held on, not afraid of tooth or claw, until he
settled the animal's fate with only his hands and
foot. Mr. Honda himself told me of it. I think
killing a live badger equal to holding a jug of hot
"
water. There now ! said Mrs. Rai.
Taro blushed, for he himself had as yet told no
one of it; and Mr. Rai, with a pleased face, con-
tinued :
"So Yoshitsune" was put in command and marched