The Meeker herald., 1910-01-15
LEGEND or OLD JAPAN
The story Of chobsl The Leader
Of the Dueiists.
A NAN WHO KNEW NOT FEAR.

A MAN VINO KNEW NOT FEAR.
Rather Than Taraish HE Nspwtaaisa
Fer Drsvsry He Asesptsd tie prisss's
Invitation and Went Voluntarily -
AssassiWatisa.
The following legend of Chobei has
been handed down In Japan ~ indica-
tive OF the courage of.the "bravis," or
duelists, who nourished in Ysddo dur
Ing the sixteenth century. forming .
sort Of japanese st. Hermindad Cho-
! bel the leader Of this clique. was ~
doubtable swordsman. whose constant.
| ~ recurring dueis forced his master to
expel him from bis retinus. Unwilling
to enlist with another Of the feudaI
lords, be assembled all the D'Artagnans
of Yeddo about him until bis power In
cited even the princes to envy. al
though they declined to recognise the
Outiawed duellst.
On this sprstenss he was excluded
from popular ten house ono day ut an
hour when was expected Juirosaye-
mon. the leader Of the Hatamotos, then
| the most influential political party in
Japan, who had arrogated the city OF
Yetldo for the oficiaI residence. But
Chobel with shrug OF bis shoulders.
forced his way past the attendants Into
| the apartments reserved for the. prince,
where be removed his garments and
cast himself on q couch In fsigned
,slumber. 9.1-
"who b that brutef demanded tbs
prince on his arrival ''Ths ieader Of
the swordsmen.~ they answered him.
| .Iuirozayemon seated himself In silence
and began to smoke. Having smoked
| his pipe. he emptied the glowing Gin.
lers into the pretended sleeper's nos
trils. repeating this five timea. when be
paused. astounded BY such courageous
endurance. Chobei. noting this. yawn-
I ed. rubbed his eyes like one awakening
| from profound slumber and exclaimed:
"You. oh. most noble master! And l.
having drunk too much, should have
slept uncovered before Jour eyes! How
shall excuse my vulgarityr
II have 20 long sought your acquaint-
ance that you are forgiven. Be seated
and accept this cup Of wins. beg you-"
rollteness forbade Chobei to refuse
drop Of the proffered cup. huge
beaker Of powerful wine. offered him
In the hopes Of overpowering him. But
Chobel drained II easily and. rspisnish-
ing II. presented II to Ills host, who &C.
complished this feat with the utmost
dificulty.
"wllI your highness permit me to
ofrer you sons gift of valusT Chobsi
asked humbIy.
''9ureiy.~ s Il 3 "a
what do ycu most desirsfs
Thinking to re1isf the brave ridIcu-
ious before the whole city. ths prince
said promptly:
"A plate Of macaronl.~
"Ah. Chobei." thought he. s'the whole
town will soon be telling how the great
duellst was permitted only to o6sr .
plate Of macaroni to the president Of
the Hatamotos."
After a whispered colloquy the at
teudant disappeared. leaving the two
enemies alone. smiling. but impassiye.
But soon great noise penetrated the
apartment. and the prince discovered .
crowd Of workmen buslly constructing
nm Immense wall Of macaFoni around
the tea house. All Yeddo was ASSN
bied to view this unique and royai Gift
Discounted that the bravo" should
have outwitted his russ. the prince de-
parted to plan revenge. Tbs following
day brought with Il an invitation from
Juiroxayemon to breakfast. Despite
ri SxrSl nhr1{
insisted on accepting It AZ be entered
the princes dwelling The samurah
threw themselves upon him With
drawn swords Chobei's Immense mus
cular strength enabled him to disarm
them. when he proceeded uuannounced
to the rear apartment
Pardon me. your IordshiR" said be.
.'for announcing myself. Your attend-
ants have forgotten to do so.'
Surely. Perhaps they have sought
quarrel with you. Twas but q Joke,
for wagered that all six could mot
disarm you. Perhaps you would like
u bath to refresh yourself.n
Who shall say that Chobei was wise1
Alone In his enemy's house. be DIS
carded bis weapons, removed his gar
ments and crouched In the bath. The
wnter that was at nr1t hot was soon
boiling. Chobel dashed from the bath.
but. ten spears held BY Invisible hands
forced hin, back. suffocatsd By steam.
exhausted BY blood. Chobei fen dying
to the ground.
The samurais wsrs still congSatn.
hitting themselves on their SUCCESS
when loud knocking was hserd In
quiry revealed ,ths duellng confsdsr.
ates who were come to sssk thelr
leader.
.Ife b drunk and cannot 80 you"
"our leader = dead. We havs
brought his bier"
The samurais were dumb with g.
tonishment. Chobei had OWNED the
| frnn. rel. nrnferrfuR n arsstsg IN hia V,rF,.