[Footnote 16: _Hatamotos._ The Hatamotos were the feudatory nobles of
the Shogun or Tycoon. The office of Taikun having been abolished, the
Hatamotos no longer exist. For further information respecting them,
see the note at the end of the story.]

So the old woman persuaded her son to make his escape, and sent him to
the palace of Shirogorô.

Now it happened that at this time the Hatamotos had formed themselves
into a league against the powerful Daimios; and Abé Shirogorô, with
two other noblemen, named Kondô Noborinosuké and Midzuno Jiurozayémon,
was at the head of the league. It followed, as a matter of course,
that his forces were frequently recruited by vicious men, who had no
means of gaining their living, and whom he received and entreated
kindly without asking any questions as to their antecedents; how much
the more then, on being applied to for an asylum by the son of his own
foster-mother, did he willingly extend his patronage to him, and
guarantee him against all danger. So he called a meeting of the
principal Hatamotos, and introduced Matagorô to them, saying--"This
man is a retainer of Ikéda Kunaishôyu, who, having cause of hatred
against a man named Watanabé Yukiyé, has slain him, and has fled to me
for protection; this man's mother suckled me when I was an infant,
and, right or wrong, I will befriend him. If, therefore, Ikéda
Kunaishôyu should send to require me to deliver him up, I trust that
you will one and all put forth your strength and help me to defend
him."

"Ay! that will we, with pleasure!" replied Kondô Noborinosuké. "We
have for some time had cause to complain of the scorn with which the