[19]. A boy hero who learned fencing from a mountain elf in the wilderness of Atago.
“Are you weaker than the wani?”
“No, sir; we sha’n’t be beaten by the wani,”—though they still trembled.
Bunkichi resheathed his short sword as he said: “Then take me to where we agreed.”
With a prompt “Yes, sir,” they rose up, while the lad got into the palanquin. They took up the money and nervously brought it to the lad, who said as he glanced at it:
“Put it on the top of the kago.”
“We’re afraid it may drop down unnoticed,” was their answer.
“It’s too heavy for me to carry; tie it somewhere where it will be safe.”
Then the coolies tightly tied the package to the pole by which the kago was carried. He did not take the money with him again, for fear that they might harm him in case their avaricious temper got the upper hand and they should make off with it.
The coolies, however, had no courage left to renew their attempt; but they went on most solemnly and steadily, as though they were carrying the tengu.[[20]] Bunkichi, finding the situation rather too quiet and tame, addressed them: “Do you often play the part of villains?”