“My lord,” he faltered, almost tremulously, “I am indeed a man, I do assure you.”
Mori smiled.
“Only a boy, Jiro, that is all. But see yonder, they are bringing in the last and largest of the guns. Do thou attend its mounting.”
“And after,” asked Jiro—“after it is mounted, my lord, who is then to have charge of it?”
“Perhaps thou also,” replied Mori, still smiling.
“I thank thee, my lord,” said Jiro, bowing deeply and hurrying away.
The Prince was still standing there, smiling across the water, when Oguri, his chief of staff, approached him, and bowing low, awaited his pleasure.
“What is it, Oguri?” he asked.
“Your highness, the Lord of Catzu is at the outer guard-post, announcing that he comes with a message from the Shogun.”
Mori’s brows darkened.