Fide-Yori trembled with agitation and alarm.
"She will escape me," said he. "Must I find her only to lose her, after waiting so long?"
"Did you see which way the boat went?" asked Iwakura.
"I thought it went up stream."
"Well, let us row that way, then; they can't have gone far. One is fairly held captive here. We shall find her again."
Fide-Yori took courage. "Row up the river," he cried to his men. The young Shogun leaned over the edge and gazed eagerly about. Several people recognized him. Numbers of princesses of the royal household, lords, and generals passed close by him. He saw his mother and General Harounaga again; but the face he sought had vanished.
"Perhaps we were too hasty," said he.
They retraced their course; then went up stream once more.
"The festivities are almost over!" Fide-Yori cried, suddenly. "Let us go to the outskirts of the throng and wait for that boat; when it makes for home, it must pass us."
"Which way shall we go?" said Nagato.