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52
HONDA THE SAMUBAI.
" Yes, yes ! I will. Open the bag ;
clapped
his hands.
" Don't be in a hurry !
" and Kozo
"
cried the old
"
fellow.
" It 's nothing to eat, only to see. Look !
Hot^i swelled up his chest, and, puffing
out his
cheeks, seemed to gather all the air possible into his
lungs ; then, slowly breathing it out, the air seemed
to congeal and form a great white sheet or screen.
" "
Now look ! said Hote*i, as he loosened the draw-
strings of his bag.
"
My breath is like a clam's, and
you will see wonders."
Out jumped the darling model of all Japanese
boys, the rosy-faced Yoshitsune*, fan and sword in
hand. To
and sitting
the right, under a projecting bowlder
among the rocks, was a queer old man
with a tiny cap on his noddle, a long white beard
flowing from his chin, and a nose sticking straight
out from his face and as long as a small pump-handle.
In his right hand he waved a fan of hawk's feathers.
" Who 's that ? " asked Kozo.
" Oh, that 's the father of the tengus, the moun-
tain spirits, teaching magic and air-climbing to
Yoshitsund," said Hote*i.
" Please tell me all about him," pleaded Kozo.
" No ; your grandmother or cousin Honda Jiro
must do that. It 's a good long story," said
" and I have more to show you."
Hotdi,
Next stepped out a lad in full gold brocade dress
and armor, with a long sword in his belt. At his
side was his pet monkey looking up in his face. He
had in his left hand a fan with the sign of a peach