"Master, master!" they shouted, "our boats are burned. What is to become of us?"
"It was that wretch of a Hieyas who did this," cried Loo; "but I will be revenged on him."
"Have you your weapons?" asked Nagato.
"Certainly; we have our swords and our guns."
"Well, you must now show me that your courage is worthy of my confidence. We must perform an act of heroism which may cost us our lives. We must enter the camp of Hieyas, jump upon his horses, and ride towards Kioto. If we are not dead, we shall be in the sacred city before sunrise."
"Very good!" said Loo; "let us enter Hieyas' camp. I have an idea of my own."
"We will follow you," said the sailors; "our lives are yours."
"The camp is but ill guarded," said the Prince; "the undertaking may succeed. Darkness will conceal us from the eyes of our enemies; the noise of the wind in the trees will prevent them from hearing the sound of our footsteps. One thing only distresses me; that is, that we have not time to steal away the head of the brave man who died for me, that we may bury it with the respect it deserves."
"What head?" whispered Loo, to Raiden.
"I'll tell you all I know about it," whispered back the sailor.