Usami knelt down so his mouth was on a level with the pony's ears. "Please," he whispered, "please get a move on. Come on Mr Horse. If you don't move, then we'll both be in trouble."

The pony tossed its head, knocking Usami off his feet and sending him tumbling on to the deck of the bridge. He landed with a sharp crack, his backside burning with the shock of the impact. "Ow. You didn't have to do that." Usami rubbed the seat of his trousers, hoping that this would ease the pain. The animal turned its head to stare at him, as did some of the passers-by.

Usami got slowly to his feet, lifting himself on rope-thin arms. "At least you didn't break my tail bone. I should thank the gods for that, at least. Now, we really have to get going." He reached for the pony's bridle but, as soon as his hands came close to the beast's head, it reared up. Usami fell to his knees, covering his head with his arms, fearing that the flailing hooves would crack his skull and spill his brains. "Nononono!" he cried.

The panniers on the pony's back came loose, scattering their contents across the bridge. If the jars and packages fell into the water below, then Usami knew that his master would be furious. But, if he tried to salvage them, then he might end up with a hoofprint on his forehead. Might! Usami thought. Better that than a sure beating! The hapless man started to roll around the bridge, grabbing for the cloth-wrapped parcels while trying to avoid injury.

By now a crowd had gathered on the bridge, attracted by the spectacle of the plunging pony and Usami's frantic scrabbling. They laughed and pointed, not caring that at any second the scene might end in bloody tragedy.

"Hey! Hey! What's going on?" It was a voice that carried the unmistakeable tone of someone who was used to being obeyed. A strong arm grabbed the panicked animal and pulled down on its halter. The creature tried to throw the newcomer, but it couldn't. It shivered, then stopped. "You can get up now," the voice said.

Usami stood up, his arms full of whatever he had managed to save from falling off the bridge. "Thank you, sir," he said automatically, then looked at his rescuer.

The newcomer was dressed in a silk topcoat and had a pair of swords stuck in a sash that had been tied around his waist. "What did you do to this noble beast?" he asked Usami. "You should know better than to mistreat a valuable animal like this."

"Please, sir." Usami bowed deeply to the samurai. "It's not my pony. It belongs to my master."

The samurai stroked the pony's muzzle and kissed it. "There. Don't worry. Quiet now." Then he turned his attention back to Usami. "Do you have so little respect for your master that you take it out on his property? I should kick you into the river, but you would probably poison the fish with your attitude. So, I shall show you mercy. Who is your master?"

Usami's response was quick. "Sueyuki the merchant."

The samurai stood back. "Why am I not surprised?" he asked no-one in particular. "An idiot servant of an idiot merchant. I think I shall pay your master a visit and tell him in words that even you can understand what I think of the pair of you. Come."

Usami bowed again, but the samurai had turned and was leading the pony away. He sighed in quiet exasperation. Maybe his master Sueyuki would be too sore after his beating to inflict one on him. He could but hope!