for twenty years more,-- making in all twenty-three years of sojourn,
during which no shadow of sorrow traversed his life.


But in the twenty-fourth year of his governorship, a great misfortune came
upon him; for his wife, who had borne him seven children,-- five boys and
two girls,-- fell sick and died. She was buried, with high pomp, on the
summit of a beautiful hill in the district of Hanryoko; and a monument,
exceedingly splendid, was placed upon her grave. But Akinosuke felt such
grief at her death that he no longer cared to live.



Now when the legal period of mourning was over, there came to Raishu, from
the Tokoyo palace, a shisha, or royal messenger. The shisha delivered to
Akinosuke a message of condolence, and then said to him:--


"These are the words which our august master, the King of Tokoyo, commands
that I repeat to you: 'We will now send you back to your own people and
country. As for the seven children, they are the grandsons and
granddaughters of the King, and shall be fitly cared for. Do not,
therefore, allow you mind to be troubled concerning them.'"


On receiving this mandate, Akinosuke submissively prepared for his
departure. When all his affairs had been settled, and the ceremony of
bidding farewell to his counselors and trusted officials had been
concluded, he was escorted with much honor to the port. There he embarked
upon the ship sent for him; and the ship sailed out into the blue sea,