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134 HONDA THE SAMURAI.
these legends about the tengus, when you hear how
Yoshitsune conquered Benkdi, about whom I shall
now tell you," explained Mr. Honda.
"Close to the shores of Lake Biwa, and near
the sacred city of Kyoto, are the two monasteries of
Hiye'isan and Miide'ra. From ancient times these
have been full of monks, or bonzes, and the hum
of their busy voices at study over the sacred books,
or the sound of their prayers, is heard at every hour
of the day. All the bonzes shave their heads, dress
in plain crepe robes, and live, so it is said, only on
water and vegetables.
" About seven hundred years ago there was a
bonze at Hiye'isan named Benkci. He was a countryman
of gigantic strength and loved athletic exercises
and feats of prowess far more than to study
Sanskrit letters or to read the sacred texts.
" In those days the bonzes, during the time of
civil war, often became soldiers. They put on armor
and fought in battle. Indeed, they were sometimes
robbers, and gave much trouble to the government.
" Benkel laughed at the idea of any soldier or
strong man being able to overcome him. He boasted
that he could fight any man that came along. So he
went out every night with his big blade-spear in
hand and took his post on the bridge of Sanjo, over
which all had to pass to enter Ky5to. Out of bravado
he wore no helmet, but only his priest cowl.
He allowed all quiet citizens and country people to
pass, but whenever he saw an armed man he called
on him to fight.
If he declined, Benkdi let him