3 182202465 1721 s$J%*mf- m^W Jfe*'^^*^ *'* WWW;: -'W

182 HONDA THE SAMURAI.
first of all the world by the gods, was sacred, and
invasion by foreigners was defilement. His own
province, Echizen, he believed rose out of the waves
by divine command next after the islands of Awaji
and Sado. He hated the Yedo rulers for not suffi-
ciently honoring the emperor. He even thought
his own prince tardy and lukewarm in zeal. Not-
withstanding that his ancestors had been feudal retainers
of the house of Echizen for over two hun-
dred years, he severed his allegiance by having his
name erased from the muster-roll. He gave up his
salary, payable in rice, withdrew from all support,
and was now a ronin, that is a " "
floating or
" wave
man," free to go his own way but also obliged to support
himself. Concerning this young man, as we
have said, Rai Goro had his suspicions.
Arriving near the imperial shrine on the mountain,
Mr. Rai, remaining in the deep shadows, de-
scried by the aid of the moonlight a kneeling figure.
Gently approaching to within a few steps he recognized
him at once as Honda Jiro by his dress and
the peculiar glitter of his sword-scabbard lying near.
Wishing to be sure of the suppliant's object, he
bade his servant wait behind, while he, removing
his sandals, moved in his socks to within a few feet
without being discovered. Once within easy ear-
shot he heard his prayer repeated over and over.
The young man lay prone upon the ground, his lips
touching the earth. He then raised his body, rest-
ing on his knees and heels, and putting his hands
together palm to palm prayed again and again as
follows :