human
Now you're satisfied, they said.
gpt
You have done more than a kobang's worth of damage; if the Prince doesn't pay, you'll have to sell a good many fish to settle the bill.
human
I will pay, said the Prince.
gpt
But speak, Raiden, do you wish to continue the fight?
human
No, I thank you, said Raiden;
gpt
I fell into some boiling tea, and I shall have to smart for it. Besides, you are stronger than ever to-night; I should get whipped.
human
The saki! the saki! if the quarrel is over, said the spectators.
gpt
Speak, Prince! In what fashion will you amuse us to-night?
human
First let us drink, said the Prince.
gpt
This is scarcely a time for rejoicing. Sad news are spread through the castle; all hearts are uneasy, for civil war is at hand. The pranks which we have played are out of season now,--like the flowers and leaves when the first gales of winter blow.
human
I have come to talk to you, who have been my companions in pleasure, he continued.
gpt
You love fighting, you are brave, you are strong; will you be my comrades still, and fight under my command, against the enemies of Fide-Yori?
human
To be sure we will!
gpt
But our wives and children; what will become of them?
human
Who will feed them in our absence?
gpt
You know very well that gold flows from my fingers like water from a fountain. I will not let you leave your trade and risk your lives without paying you handsomely. How much does a fisherman earn in a day?
human
That depends; on bad days, when the sea is very rough, we don't make so much as an itzibou. Good hauls of the net sometimes bring in half a kobang.
gpt
Well! I will pay you half a kobang a day while the war lasts.
human
It's too much! it's too much! was the general shout;
gpt
I will not take back my words,
human
But consider, cried Raiden:
gpt
I can count, said the Prince, smiling.
human
I want two hundred men: that makes one hundred kobangs a day, three thousand kobangs a month, thirty-six thousand a year.
gpt
Where will you get so much money?
human
You have no idea of the wealth of princes, said Nagato, astonished at this strange discussion.
gpt
I shall scarcely notice the outlay; so have no scruples.
human
Good! good! If that is so, we accept,
gpt
For that price you can have us cut into fifty pieces,
human
You will run great dangers, said the Prince;
gpt
He who fights the sea has no fear of men, said a sailor;
human
Listen! said Nagato:
gpt
Agreed!
human
I will provide you with arms, continued the Prince,
gpt
Very good; we understand!
human
I have no further orders to give you for the present, said Nagato;
gpt
We will not tell it even to the gulls that fly over the sea.
human
Our engagement begins from to-day for those who are here present, said he,
gpt
Sailors are not chatterboxes, said Raiden,
human
said he;