When Taro got in, the pheasant flew to the island to spy out a place where they might land before the demons saw them, so that they would have time to hide the boat, for without it they would not be able to return with the treasure.
When they had landed and hidden the boat, Taro was guided by the pheasant to the cave, where he rapped, but got no answer. He then broke it open and found himself inside the palace of the demon-king. The pheasant flew over, the monkey climbed in, and the dog ran about the palace searching for the place where the treasure was, and when they had found it they came and told Taro. Then the monkey set fire to a place to attract the demons, the dog barked, and the pheasant made a great noise with his wings and tail on the roof, and thus Taro got the treasure away safely to the boat. When the demons found out their loss, they ran after Taro, but, while the dog bit them, the pheasant picked out their eyes, and the monkey jumped on them and scratched their faces. Taro beat them badly, so they begged for life, which he promised to spare if they would show him all the treasure. This they did, and he made them carry it to the boat, and then got away home as quick as he could with his three friends.
Taro and his friends were now happy, but the pheasant flew away to seek in the gardens of the princes the most beautiful lady in the land for Taro's wife. Taro's fame as a brave and rich man was great, so that he could choose where he liked, and thus he was able to fulfil the wishes of his kind old friends, who lived to see their great-grandchildren.
URA SHIM A TARO:
His visit to the Home of the Sea-Dragon.
ARO was the son of a poor fisherman and his wife, who were worthy, devout people, and taught their only boy to be pious, kind-hearted, and honest. They looked forward to a happy old age. One day when out fishing the boy caught a turtle, which immediately begged to be released. The fact
