At this announcement the head of the aruji -- distinctly visible in the
moonlight -- assumed a frightful aspect: its eyes opened monstrously; its
hair stood up bristling; and its teeth gnashed. Then a cry burst from its
lips; and -- weeping tears of rage -- it exclaimed:--


"Since my body has been moved, to rejoin it is not possible! Then I must
die!... And all through the work of that priest! Before I die I will get at
that priest! -- I will tear him! -- I will devour him!... AND THERE HE IS
-- behind that tree! -- hiding behind that tree! See him ! -- the fat
coward!"...


In the same moment the head of the aruji, followed by the other four
heads, sprang at Kwairyo. But the strong priest had already armed himself
by plucking up a young tree; and with that tree he struck the heads as they
came,-- knocking them from him with tremendous blows. Four of them fled
away. But the head of the aruji, though battered again and again,
desperately continued to bound at the priest, and at last caught him by the
left sleeve of his robe. Kwairyo, however, as quickly gripped the head by
its topknot, and repeatedly struck it. It did not release its hold; but it
uttered a long moan, and thereafter ceased to struggle. It was dead. But
its teeth still held the sleeve; and, for all his great strength, Kwairyo
could not force open the jaws.


With the head still hanging to his sleeve he went back to the house, and
there caught sight of the other four Rokuro-Kubi squatting together, with
their bruised and bleeding heads reunited to their bodies. But when they