"An old wolf," said Simabara, "lived in a cave near a much travelled road. This wolf had an insatiable appetite. He therefore frequently left his cavern, went to the side of the road, and gobbled up a passer-by. But this mode of procedure was not at all to the taste of the travellers, and they ceased to frequent that road; so that little by little it became quite deserted. The wolf meditated long and deeply, seeking a way to put an end to this state of things. Suddenly he disappeared, and every one supposed he was dead. Some bold people ventured along the road, and there they saw a lovely young girl, who smiled bewitchingly upon them. "'Will you follow me, and rest in a cool, delightful spot,' she said. "None thought of refusing; but no sooner had they left the road, than the young girl returned to her former shape of an old wolf, and devoured the travellers; then she resumed her fair form and returned to the roadside. From that day forth not a traveller has escaped the jaws of the wolf." The princes loudly applauded this story; but the women protested. "That is to say that we are dangerous traps hidden beneath flowers," said they. "The flowers are so beautiful that we shall never see the trap," said the Prince of Tsusima, with a laugh. "Come!" said the Queen; "Simabara shall drink two cups of saki, for hurting the feelings of the women." Simabara merrily drained the cups. "Formerly," said Princess Iza-Farou, flashing a mischievous glance at Simabara, "heroes were plenty. There were Asahina, who could seize in each hand a warrior in full armor and hurl him to a great distance; Tametomo, with his terrible bow; Yatsitsone, whose only shield was his open fan; and how many more! Their lofty deeds were the constant theme of conversation. It was said, among other things, that on one occasion Sousige, the unrivalled cavalier, returning from a journey, saw several of his friends crouching round a chess-board; he spurred his horse over, their heads, and the animal stood motionless on his hind feet in the centre of the board. The players, struck dumb, thought that the knight had dropped from heaven. Nowadays I hear nothing to compare with that." "Good! good!" exclaimed Simabara; "you would infer that none of us are capable of such a remarkable feat of horsemanship, and that the age of heroes is passed." "That is exactly the idea that I wished to convey," said Iza-Farou, bursting into laughter; "was I not bound to reply to your impudent wolf?" "She had a right to avenge us," said the Kisaki; "she shall not be punished." "Flower-of-the-Reed knows a story, but she won't tell it!" cried a princess, who had been whispering with her neighbor. Flower-of-the-Reed hid her face behind the loose sleeve of her robe. She was a very young girl, and somewhat shy. "Come, speak!" said the Kisaki, "and don't be alarmed; we have nothing in common with Simabara's wolf."