The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-11-08
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WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8. 1899.
A LEGEND OF JAPAN.
THE STORY OF CHO8El, THE MAN
WHO KNEW NO FEAR.

lion For Bravery He Accepted the
Princes Invitation and Went Vol
unfairly 10 AssassinntIon.
The following legend Of Chobei has
been handed down In Japan as indica-
five of the courage of the "bravls,' or
iduellsts, who flourlshcd In Yeddo dur
ing the sixteenth century, forming
sort of japanese st. IIermindad. emo
bel, the leader of this clique, was a re-
doubtable swordsman, whose constant
" recurring duels forced his master to
expel him from his retlnue. 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
outlawcd duclist.
ON this pretenSe he was excluded
from 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
Chobei, with n shrug Of his shoulders,
forced his way past the attendants In
to the apartments reserved for the
prince, where he removed his garments
and cast himself on n couch In feigned
slumbcr.
"Who Is that bruteY demanded tho
prince on his arrival. "rhe leader of
the swordsmen." they answered him.
Julrozayemon seated himself In silence
and began to smoke. Having smoked
his pipe, hc emptled the glowing Gin
ders into the pretended sleeper's nos
trlls, repeating this five times, when
he paused, astouuded by such coura-
geous endurance. Chobel, noting this,
yawncd. rubbed his eyes like one awak-
cning from profound slumber and ex-
clnimcd:
You, o most noble mnsterl And /
having drunk too much should have
slept uncovered before your eyes! How
shall 1 excuse my vulgarity"
II hive so long sought your ac-
qualntance that you are forgiven. BE
seated aud accept this cup of wine. l
pray you"
Pollttness forbade Chobei to refuse
uiOIf bi Nllt IlIblltit'l NdlIt hhbu
beaker of powerful wine, offered him
In the hopes of ovcrpowering him. But
ChobeI drained II easily and, rcplenlsh-
Ing II, presented 1t to his host. who ac-
compllshed This feat with the utmost
difficulty,
"Wlll your highncss permit me to
offer you some gift Of yalucf Chobei
asked humbly.
surely"
what do you most deslrcW
Thinking to render the brave rldlcu-
lous before the whole city, the prince
said promptly:
"a plate of maearonl."
"Ah, Chohei." thought he the whole
town win soon be telling how the great
duellst was permitted only to offer
plate OF macaroni to the president of
the Hutnmotos."
After n whispered colloquy the at
tendaut disappeared, leaving the two
enemies alone smiling but impasslve.
But soon great noise penetrated the
apartment. and the prince discovered
n crowd of worlimen buslly construct
Ing an immense wall of macnroni
around the tcahouse. All Ycddo was
assembled To view this unique and
royal gift Discounted that the bravo"
should have outwittcd his rusc, the
prince departed to plan revenge. The
following day brought with 1t an in
vtatlon from JuiroZayemon to break
fast Despite his comrades rcmon-
stranccs, Chobcl insisted on accepting
1t. As he entered the princes dwell
ing the Samurals threw themselves
upon him with drawn swords. Chobefs
immense muscular strength enabled
him to diSarm them, when he proceed
ed unannouneed to the rear apartment.
Pardon me. your lordshlp," said he,
FOR announcing myself Your attend
ants have forgotten to do SO"
"Surely Perhaps they have sought
quarrel with YOU Twas but joke,
for | waEcrcd that all six could not
dlsarm You Perhaps you would like
n bath to refresh yourself"
Who shall say that Chobei was wise?
Alone in his cncmy's house, he dis
carded his weapons, removed his gar
ments and cruuchcd In the bath. Tho
water that was nl first hot was soon
boiling. Chohci dashed from the bath,
but ten spears held by invisible hands
forced him back Sunocated by steam,
exhausted by blood Chobel fell dying
to the ground
The SamHa!s were still congratu-
lating themselves on their success
when loud knocking was heard. In
qury revealed the duclnE confeder-
ateS who We're come TO seek their
leader.
"lle Is drunk and cannot see you"
Our leader is dead We have
brought his bier"
The Samurais were dumb with as
constituent. Chohei had OWNED the
trap, yet, prefcrring to sustain his rep
utatioua OF daring untarnlshed by any
accusation OF fear. had voluntarily
gone TO bis assassination.