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Lafcadio Hearn - Kokoro
But as she was about to go, the Hangwan called to her: "Nay, stop a little while. I have a good reason to
ask your name, because I am in truth that very gaki-ami whom you so kindly drew last year to
Otsu in a cart."
And with these words he produced the wooden tablet upon which Kohagi had written.
Then she was greatly moved, and said: "I am very happy to see you thus recovered. And now I shall
gladly tell you all my history; hoping only that you, my lord, will tell me something of that ghostly world
from which you have come back, and in which my husband, alas, now dwells.
"I was born (it hurts my heart to speak of former times!) the only daughter of Yokoyama Choja, who
dwelt in the district of Soba, in the province of Sagami, and my name was Terute-Hime.
"I remember too well, alas! having been wedded, three years ago, to a famous person of rank, whose
name was Oguri-Hangwan Kane-uji, who used to live in the province of Hitachi. But my husband was
poisoned by my father at the instigation of his own third son, Saburo.
"I myself was condemned by him to be drowned in the sea of Sagami. And I owe my present existence to
the faithful servants of my father, Onio and Oniji."
Then the lord Hangwan said, "You see here before you, Terute, your husband, Kane-uji. Although killed
together with my followers, I had been destined to live in this world many years longer.
"By the learned priest of Fujisawa temple I was saved, and, being provided with a cart, I was drawn by
many kind persons to the hot springs of Kumano, where I was restored to my former health and shape.
And now I have been appointed lord ruler of the three provinces, and can have all things that I desire."
Hearing this tale, Terute could scarcely believe it was not all a dream, and she wept for joy. Then she
said: "Ah! since last I saw you, what hardships have I not passed through!
"For seven days and seven nights I was tossed about upon the sea in a canoe; then I was in a great danger
in the bay of Nawoye, and was saved by a kind man called Murakami Deyu.
"And after that I was sold and bought seventy-five times; and the last time I was brought here, where I
have been made to suffer all kinds of hardship only because I refused to become a joro. That is why you
now see me in so wretched a condition."
Very angry was Kane-uji to hear of the cruel conduct of the inhuman Chobei, and desired to kill him at
once.
But Terute besought her husband to spare the man's life, and so fulfilled the promise she had long before
made to Chobei, - that she would give even her own life, if necessary, for her master and mistress, on
condition of being allowed five days' freedom to draw the cart of the gaki-ami.
And for this Chobei was really grateful; and in compensation he presented the Hangwan with the
hundred horses from his stable, and gave to Terute the thirty-six servants belonging to his house.
And then Terute-Hime, appropriately attired, went away with the Prince Kane-uji; and, they began their
journey to Sagami with hearts full of joy.
XII. THE VENGEANCE
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