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266 HONDA THE SAMUEAI.
helpful against the disease as so much ink and paper,
but no more. There, on that house, for variety,
they have a red sheet of paper marked with the
three Chinese characters for a horse as valuable
for the purpose as the proverbial wind in a nag's
ears. Pustules are about as much influenced by it."
" The red color," said Mr. Rai, on looking at the
amulet by the aid of the moonlight, " reminds me
of what I saw a sailor do on a ship before we
started on our voyage from Higo. He wrote the
'
'
Chinese character meaning red on his left hand,
and then licked it off, believing thereupon he would
have a lucky voyage."
" Which he did," laughed Mr. Koba.
"
By the way, gentlemen," said Doctor Sano, " to
enter upon a more agreeable subject, let me ask,
if the question be proper, Are the negotiations for
the marriage of the daughter of the lord of Higo
with our prince's son proceeding happily ? "
" Yes ; in confidence let me tell you, the young
people are betrothed, and will be married in the
time of the cherry blossoms two years from now.'
"Good! In view of such an occasion I think it
will be quite possible to prevail upon our lord to
intercede with the Yedo government for the release
of Honda Jiro. Even though he be a ronin, I think
if you use your influence, Mr. Rai, the matter is
settled."
" I shall be happy to do so. As we are now in the
city, let us say Sayonara, in this hope."
" Sayonara (farewell)."