The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1899-11-08
A LEGEND OF JAPAN.
THE STORY OF CHo8El, THE MAN
WHO KNEW NO FEAR.

ton For Bravery He Accepted the
Princes Invitation md Went Vol
UNFAIRLY to Assassination.
The following legend, OF Chobei has
been handed down In Japan as indica-
tive Of the courage of the ~"bravis," or
duelists, who nourished in Yeddo dur
ing the sixteenth century, forming n
sort Of japanese st. Hermindad. Ohio
boi, the leader Of this clique, was q re-
doubtable swordsman, whose constant
ly recurring duels forced his master to
eXpel him from his retinue. Unwilling
to enlist with another of the feudal
lords, he assembled all the D~'Artagnans
of Yeddo about him until his power in
cited even the princes to envy, al
though they declined to recognize the
outlawed duelist.
On this pretense he was excluded
from q popular teahouse one day at an
hour when was expected ~Juirozaye-
mon, the leader of the Hatamotos,
then the most influential political party
in Japan, who had ~arrogated the city
of Yeddo for the official residence. But
OhObei, with u shrug of his shoulders,
forced his way past the attendants in
to the apartments reserved for tho
prince, where he removed his garments
and cast himself on a couch in feigned
slumbcr.
"Who is that brute?" demanded the
prince on his arrival. '"r;.~ l."dcr OF
the ewo"SsnIeD," they answered him.
JuiroHayemon seated himself in silence
n began to smoke. Having smoked
his pipe, he emptied the glowing Gin
ders into the pretended sleeper's nos
trils, repeating this five times, when
he paused, ~astounded by such coura-
geous endurance. Chobei, noting this,
yawned, rubbed his eyes like one awak-
ening from profound slumber and eX-
claimed:
you, o most noble MASTER! And l
having drunk too much should have
slept uncovered before your eyes! How
shall 1 excuse my vulgarity2"
II have SO long sought your ac-
quaintance that you are forgiven. BE
seated and accept his cup of wine, I
pray YOU"
Politeness forbade Chobei to refuse n
drop Of the proffered cup, a huge
beaker of powerful wine, offered him
In the hopes Of overpowering him. But
Chobei drained it easily and, replenish-
Ing 1T, presented 1t to his host, who ac-
oomplished this feat with the utmost
difficulty.
"Will your highness permit me to
offer you some gift Of vnluc2" Chobei
asked humbly.
Surely"
"What do you most desire?"
Thinking to render the brave ridicu.
lous before the whole city, the prince
said promptly:
"a plate Of macaroni.'
"Ah, Chobci," thought he, "the whole
town will soon be telling how the great
duelist was permitted only to offer a
plate of macaroni to the president Of
the Hatamotos.'
After Il whispered ~colloquy the at
tendant disappeared, leaving the two
enemies alone, smiling but impressive.
But soon n great noise penetrated the
apartment, and the prince discovered
a crowd of workmcn busily construct
Ing an immense wall of maoaroni
around the t%enhouSc. Nil Yeddo WAS
assembled to view this unique and
royal gift. Discounted that the "brayo''
SHOULD AVE outwitted his ruse, the
prince depattcd TO plan revenge. The
following day brought with it an In.
Vitation from J~uirozayemon to brco,,-
fast. Despite his comrades remon-
strances, Chobei insisted on accepting
it. AS he entered the princes dwell
ing the Samurais threw themselves
upon him with drawn swords. Chobei's
immense muscular strength enabled
him to disarm them, when he proceed
ed unannounced to the rear apartment.
Pardon me, your lordship," said he,
"for announcing myself. Your attend.
ants have forgotten to 10 So"
"Surely. Perhaps they have sought
quarrel with you. Twas but n Joke,
for l wagered that all six could not
disarm you. Perhaps you would like
a bath to refresh yourself"
Who shall say that Chobei was wise?
Alone in his enemy's house, he dis
carded his weapons, removed his gar.
ments and crouched In the bath. Tho
water that was at first hot was soon
boiling. Chobei dashed from the bath,
but ten spears held by invisible hands
forced him back. Suffocated by steam,
exhausted by blood, Chobei fell dying
to the ground.
The Samurais were still congratu.
lating themselves on their success
when loud knocking was heard. In.
quiry revealed the dueling confeder.
ates who were come to seek their
leader.
HE is drunk and cannot sec you."
Our leade Is dead. We have
brought his bier"
The Samurais were dumb with as.
constituent. Chobei had OWNED the
trap, yet, preferring to sustain his rep.
utation OF daring untarnished by any
accusation of fear, had voluntarily
gone to his assassination.