Gratitude of the Sam^bito 9 



feel any pity for me, do, I beseech you, help me 

 to find a shelter, and let me have something to 

 eat ! " 



This petition was uttered in so plaintive a 

 tone, and in so humble a manner, that Totaro's 

 heart was touched. " Come with me," he said. 

 " There is in my garden a large and deep pond 

 where you may live as long as you wish ; and I 

 will give you plenty to eat." 



The Samebito followed Totaro home, and ap- 

 peared to be much pleased with the pond. 



Thereafter, for nearly half a year, this strange 

 guest dwelt in the pond, and was every day sup- 

 plied by Totaro with such food as sea-creatures 

 like. 



[From this point of the original narrative the Shark-Man is 

 referred to, not as a monster, but as a sympathetic Person of 

 the male sex.] 



Now, in the seventh month of the same year, 

 there was a female pilgrimage (nyonin-mode) to 

 the great Buddhist temple called Miidera, in the 

 neighboring town of Otsu ; and Totaro went to 

 Otsu to attend the festival. Among the multi- 

 tude of women and young girls there assembled, 

 he observed a person of extraordinary beauty. 

 She seemed about sixteen years old ; her face was 



