"He is likely to triumph," said the Prince of Tsusima, husband of the beautiful Iza-Farou-No-Kami.
"What!" cried the Kisaki, "have I so nearly lost?"
"See, your champion weakens!"
"Courage! one more effort! courage, little warrior!" said the Queen.
The quails, with bristling feathers and neck outstretched, paused for a moment, gazing motionless, each at the other, then sprang to the attack again; one of them fell.
"Ah! all is over," cried the Queen, rising to her feet; "the bird is dead! Simabara has won."
Young girls now handed about sweetmeats and delicacies of various kinds, with tea gathered on the neighboring mountains; and the sports ceased for a time.
Then a page approached the Kisaki, and told her that a messenger had been waiting for some moments with news from the palace.
"Let him enter," said the sovereign.
The messenger advanced, and prostrated himself.