However, after struggling long against fatigue, one of the parties suddenly let go the rope. The victors fell all together in a heap, with their legs in the air, amidst the shouts and laughter of the mob, who ran to their rescue. They were helped to their feet, and a reconciliation was signed and sealed by copious draughts of saki. The inn was thronged, and the maids were beside themselves with such an overflow of custom. Just then an old man, leading a girl by the hand, contrived to stop a waitress as she passed, and catch her by the sleeve. "I want to speak to the master of this establishment," he said. "You choose your time well," said the girl, with a roar of laughter. By a sudden movement she freed herself, and was gone before the old man could add another word. "I will wait," said he. A cask of saki was staved in, and the jolly drinkers talked and laughed noisily. But all at once silence fell upon them; the shrill sound of a flute and the music of a stringed instrument were heard. The sounds came from the rooms above. "Listen! listen!" was the general cry. Some of the passers stopped to hear. The sound of a woman's voice was heard. The words of the song were clearly audible:-- "When Iza-Na-Gui descended to earth, his companion, Iza-Na-Mi, met him in a garden. "'How delightful to meet such a handsome young man!' she exclaimed. "But the God, in displeasure, replied: 'It is not fitting for the woman to speak first; meet me again.' "They parted, and they met each other once more. "'How agreeable to meet such a lovely girl!' said Iza-Na-Gui. "Which of the two spoke first?'" The voice ceased; the accompaniment went on for a few moments more. A discussion ensued among the drinkers; they replied to the question asked by the singer. "Of course the God was saluted first," said some. "No, no! It was the Goddess!" shouted others. "The will of the God cancelled the first salutation." "Did he cancel it?" "To be sure I to be sure! They began again, as if nothing had ever happened." "Which does not annul what had occurred; and so the woman spoke first." The argument threatened to wax warm; but all ended by a larger number of cups being emptied. Soon the throng thinned off, and the tavern grew quiet again. A servant woman then noticed the old man leaning against an upright post, and still holding the young girl by the hand. "Do you want a cup of tea or saki?" asked the woman. "I wish to speak to the keeper of the tea-house," answered the man.