"It is not my fault. War has broken out; I must start for Yamashiro with my men." "And if I command you to stay?" "I must disobey, Princess." "You confess it unblushingly! Well, I forbid you to leave me!" "So be it," said the General. "I cannot resist your wishes; but this very evening I shall commit suicide." "Because you are tired of my society?" "No; because I should be dishonored; and no one should ever outlive dishonor." "Oh, I am mad!" said Taiko-Sama's widow, wiping her eyes. "I speak like a child; I counsel you to play a coward's part. Go; do not spare your blood. If you die, I too will die. How handsome you are in fighting dress!" she added, looking admiringly at him. "Is it for the enemy's eyes that you adorn yourself thus?" "It is the custom," said Harounaga; "besides, the arrows rebound from these overlapping plates of horn, and no blow of the sword can pierce them." "Do not talk so; I seem to see you in the thick of the fight," cried Yodogimi. "I see the arrows fly, I hear the clash of steel. What will become of me during these long days of agony and alarm?" "Yamashiro is not far from Osaka," said the General; "I will send you frequent news from the camp." "Yes, promise me you will. Send a messenger every day." "You shall hear from me every day. Farewell, most beautiful of princesses!" "Farewell, bold warrior! Hay Heaven grant us a speedy meeting!" Harounaga withdrew; and as he passed across the palace courtyard, Yodogimi leaned from the window for a final glimpse of him. The page who held the warrior's horse informed the General, as he helped him to the saddle, that most alarming reports were current in the castle. The advance-guard of the enemy had been seen at Soumiossi; that is, but a few leagues from Osaka. The Shogun's troops had, therefore, failed to blockade the entire breadth of the Island of Nipon, as was their purpose. Harounaga hurriedly rejoined his division, which was waiting for his coming, to march forth from the castle ramparts. Several knights galloped to meet him. The Shogun had just reached the encampment, and was inquiring for Harounaga. "Do not go to Yamashiro," he shouted, as soon as he saw him; "proceed to Soumiossi, and try to crush the rebels, if it be true that they are already established there." "I fly, master," answered Harounaga; "and I swear to conquer." A few moments later, he left Osaka with his army. At the same hour a number of fishing-boats, taking advantage of the tide, left the harbor, and, driven by a strong breeze, reached the open sea. It was Nagato's fleet. The Prince was one of the first to learn of the appearance of Hieyas' soldiers at Soumiossi. He at once decided to put to sea and cruise about the regions threatened. Each boat was manned by four sailors; that in which Nagato sat contained one more person,--Loo; the latter had caught a few fish, and with frank cruelty watched their dying struggles. Raiden was at the helm.