As I gained the top of the bridge I saw a woman dart from the far end into the kiosk. But the foremost of my pursuers were already at the pond bank, and I whirled about, with drawn revolver, to face them. For all their fierce eagerness, the sight of the threatening muzzle brought them to a halt. They had heard of the defeat of the _ronins_. The leaders checked those who followed, and all gathered at the foot of the bridge, yelling imprecations at the _tojin_.
“Murderers,” I shouted, “set foot on this bridge, and you die! Your master the Shogun sent for me. He waits for me now. Go, fetch Gengo the chamberlain.”
“Liar!--Fetch bowmen instead!” cried one of the leaders of the mob.
“Down with the bridge!” yelled a third leader.
The response was instant. A dozen men caught up the cry and sprang into the pond to hack at the frail supports of the bridge with their swords. I sighted my revolver at the foremost. But before I could fire, several pointed up and cried to their fellows: “Hold! hold!”
A moment later all were kneeling, even those in the shallow water of the pond. Something brushed softly against my sleeve. I turned half about. Beside me stood the Princess Azai. Her hands were folded within the long sleeves of her scarlet _kimono_, and she was gazing down upon the mob as tranquilly as if contemplating the irises in the pool.
When she spoke her voice was barely audible above the labored breathing of the _hatamotos_. “Is this loyal service?” she asked. “Let explanation be made why you seek to murder the honored friend of your lord.”
“The august lady errs,” ventured one of the leaders. “We seek to rid the august lady’s garden from a defiling beast,--that _tojin_ devil!”
“Is it error to speak highly of the august lord who saved your master’s daughter from the shame of _ronin_ capture? The presence of Woroto Sama honors the garden.”
“The black ships of the barbarians glide up the bay against wind and tide, propelled by evil magic!” cried another _hatamoto_. “In the morning they will destroy all Yedo with their cannon. This _tojin_ is their spy, august lady. Give him to us!”
“That is a double lie,” I rejoined, “a lie born of cowardice. Every man among you knows that the black ships cannot approach near enough to Yedo to throw a cannon ball into the city.”