“As a representative of the Shogun, I order you to disarm. The shogunate alone makes peace and war.”
“I have the sanction, the command, of the only master I acknowledge—his Serene Majesty the Mikado.”
Catzu still breathed heavily from his labored ascent of the hill, for the Mori men had refused to permit him the attendance of even his runners.
“Do you still refuse to obey the august Shogun?” he cried, testily and with difficulty.
“I obey the Mikado,” returned Mori.
“Disarm!” roared the now infuriated Catzu.
Mori raised his hands as though in preparation for a signal. He held them aloft as he shouted:
“I shall give you my answer with awful effect, your highness.”
Sharply Mori lowered his hands. The sally-port facing them crashed sharply open, disclosing the interior of the lately erected fortifications.
“Look, my Lord of Catzu.”