If any person be killed while feeling strong resentment, the ghost of that
person will be able to take vengeance upon the killer. This the samurai
knew. He replied very gently,-- almost caressingly:--


"We shall allow you to frighten us as much as you please -- after you are
dead. But it is difficult to believe that you mean what you say. Will you
try to give us some sign of your great resentment -- after your head has
been cut off?"


"Assuredly I will," answered the man.


"Very well," said the samurai, drawing his long sword; -- "I am now going
to cut off your head. Directly in front of you there is a stepping-stone.
After your head has been cut off, try to bite the stepping-stone. If your
angry ghost can help you to do that, some of us may be frightened... Will
you try to bite the stone?"


"I will bite it!" cried the man, in great anger,-- "I will bite it! -- I
will bite" --


There was a flash, a swish, a crunching thud: the bound body bowed over
the rice sacks,-- two long blood-jets pumping from the shorn neck; -- and
the head rolled upon the sand. Heavily toward the stepping-stone it rolled: