Could this man, a daimyo, so degrade himself as to speak to an eta (outcast)? His appearance disclosed the cast, and Hideyoshi had eyes, it was claimed, in the back of his head. He must answer, yet dare not utter a word in the presence of a superior; custom forbade it, and he had just learned a lesson. No; a subterfuge must serve him: so thinking, Sakuma dropped his burden, and slunk back out of sight. "Ha, ha," muttered Hideyoshi; "a fox's head--I'll warrant he thought it Katsutoya's--reputed son of a foxier monk than Nobunaga or Christianity has yet outwitted. "Here, Junkei. Exchange this for the real--no; he's safe, atop Hiyeisan, I'll warrant; a like one will do. Understand me?" "Yes, honorable master." The likeness was soon enough returned--there were plenty of them in the ranks--and Sakuma was again brought in. "Sakuma, you think yourself unfit to address even me: look at this," commanded Hideyoshi, holding up to view the bloodless face. Sakuma obeyed; there was no law or privilege that he knew depriving him of so flagrant a sight. All the joys of heaven could not have won him more; it seemed to be the head he really coveted. "I am your servant," promised he, and the two of them bowed respectfully. "Then carry this thing forthwith to Shibata; it shall be the means no less of his undoing than of Yodogima's making--" "Of Ieyasu--a plaything." CHAPTER V Sakuma had served his master and met the foe as became his better judgment; but an older belief on the one hand and newer tactics on the other defeated him. The master himself was harrassed with a ruse no less potent to the southward; Hideyoshi had sent Niwa--fired at the promise of spoils--with only forty men, to light torches on the mountain side, and Shibata, overloaded as he was, saw here, too, a great force: Hideyoshi, hearing of Katsutoya's defeat and Shibata's fears, threw down his chop sticks and jumping to his feet, exclaimed with joy: "I have won. I have won a great victory." Then mounting his horse, rode out to battle as became him. "Takiyama, with one-half the army, will move upon the northern pass: Kuroda, with the other half, hold against the southern: Hideyoshi, with his staff and a small body guard, shall make his way, as best he can, between the two, toward--Kitanoshi. Let no temporary success induce either one of you to venture into the enemy's territory; Hideyoshi commands."