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ABOUT TOSHITSUNfi. 135
pass on, considering him a coward; if he accepted
the challenge, Benkdi fought him, overcoming all
comers. The lusty bonze gave out that he should
stand on Sanjo bridge till he had whipped ten thousand
men.
" Yoshitsune", when yet a mere boy, hearing of this
famous bully, resolved to have a tilt with him, and
lower his pride by conquering strength with skill.
Waiting for a moonlight night, he approached the
bridge, when Benke*i, stepping before him, blocked
up the way with his spear and dared him to fight.
Yoshitsun^ drew his sword and showed fight. Then
Benke*i made a lunge with his spear, expecting to
knock down or pierce his antagonist, whom he
laughed at as a little boy.
" But Yoshitsune', using the power of magic taught
him by the tengus, flew up in the air and leaped on
the copper cap of the bridge-post, hopping around
as lively as a cricket. Benke*i, with his clumsy
strength, followed him about, but could not touch
him. Yoshitsune' flashed his blade over Benk6Ts
head, and though he might have killed the bully,
yet he spared his life. Then Benke*i, seeing this,
that in spite of his gigantic strength he had been
overcome, bowed his head, laid down his spear, and
declared himself Yoshitsune"s servant for life.
" So Benk^i became the retainer of Yoshitsune* and
helped his master in various ways. Benkdi was skillful
at many trades. When on a journey he carried
at his back a bag containing a mallet, a reaping-hook,
a rake, an iron club, a saw, pincers, and other tools,