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diff --git a/41698-0.txt b/41698-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2e8cff4 --- /dev/null +++ b/41698-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11441 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41698 *** + +[Illustration: LAKE TEZCUCO, 1400 +] + + +A PRINCE OF ANAHUAC + +A HISTORI-TRADITIONAL STORY +ANTEDATING THE AZTEC EMPIRE + + +BY + +JAMES A. PORTER + + +GALION, OHIO +THE CRAWFORD COMPANY +PUBLISHERS + +CINCINNATI +Press of C. T. Krebbiel +248-250 WALNUT STREET + +Copyright, 1894, by James A. Porter. +All Rights Reserved. + + + + +Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected +without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have +been retained as printed. The Table of Contents was not present in +the original text and has been produced for the reader's convenience. +Text printed in italics is noted with underscores (_italics_). +Diacritical marks that cannot be represented in plain text are shown +in the following manner where "x" stands in for the letter: [=x] +letter with macron above. + + + + +CONTENTS + + PREFACE + + INTRODUCTION + + CHAPTER + + I XXI + II XXII + III XXIII + IV XXIV + V XXV + VI XXVI + VII XXVII + VIII XXVIII + IX XXIX + X XXX + XI XXXI + XII XXXII + XIII XXXIII + XIV XXXIV + XV XXXV + XVI XXXVI + XVII XXXVII + XVIII XXXVIII + XIX XXXIX + XX XL + + + + +PREFACE. + + +In placing this volume before the public we would ask the critical +reader to regard with leniency its imperfections, in view of the fact +that an exigency, arising through serious misfortune to the writer, +made the issue a necessity. + +The narrative is based upon the Tezcucan historian, Ixtlilxochitl's, +brief account of the overthrow of his ancestral government by +Tezozomoc, the Tepanec king, in 1418; and its restoration, under +Prince Nezahualcoyotl, eight or ten years later. + +The wonderful experience of Nezahualcoyotl--Hungry Fox--(abbreviated, +for convenience, to 'Hualcoyotl) is made the nucleus around which the +story is woven. So far as possible, the incidents related of him, his +condemnation to death by Maxtla, the son and successor of Tezozomoc, +his remarkable escapes therefrom, and other personal trials, have been +given in accordance with the historian's account. The descriptive +portions, including what relates to the country and manners of the +people, are based upon conclusions drawn from reading a traditional +history, and, therefore, to some extent, hypothetical; yet are, no +doubt, quite as correct as a great deal of what has been written and +put out as authentic. + +The narrative is a representation of the writer's conception as to how +the triumph of Tezcuco over her oppressors might have been brought +about, together with such incidental situations and characterization as +appear best suited to make it attractive. Whether or not success has +been attained in the work, the public must decide. + +The characters introduced, with the exception of Hualcoyotl and Maxtla, +which are historical, are fictitious, created to meet the exigencies of +the situations. + +The pronunciation of names will be greatly simplified by the reader +bearing in mind that x and ch are convertible, the sound of sh being +substituted, as in Ix, which is pronounced Ish; Teochma--Te-osh-ma; +Xochitl--Zosh-itl, and Ixtlilchoatl--Ish-thlil-sho-atl. S being an +unused letter, z is frequently given a soft sound, as in tzin, which is +pronounced tsin; Euetzin--U-et-sin; Oza--Os-a; Itzalmo--I-tsal-mo, and +Itlza--I-tel-sa. H is silent, as in Hualcoyotl, which is pronounced +U-al-co-yotl; Hualla--U-al-la, and maquahuitl--ma-ka-u-itl. + +With these brief explanations we conclude our preface, hoping that our +labor has not been in vain, but that the production of it may furnish +some instruction and a few hours' pleasurable pastime. + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +The great valley of Anahuac--the valley of Mexico--if not now, was once +a grand and beautiful spot, such as is rarely found upon the face of +our terraqueous globe. When nearest its natural state, in the time when +its inhabitants directed their efforts to beautifying and not to +marring it, it might well have been denominated an Eden. We refer to +that period in its transition which covered a century or two prior to +the fall of Montezuma. + +The majority of the people of Anahuac were not, strictly speaking, +Aztecs, but became so by centralization: the Montezumas and their +immediate predecessors becoming, by the trend of events, masters of the +situation. + +The great Aztec empire had scarcely a half century of existence, and +was preceded by a condition of things in which tribal distinction +prevailed, the Aztec being only one of many tribes, and not greatly +superior, if superior at all, to some of its neighbors. In fact, the +Aztecs, prior to the overthrow of the Tepanec empire, unquestionably +occupied a position of inferiority. From this time on, however, their +power and influence may be said to have rapidly increased, until their +supremacy was assured in the formation of an empire with their ruling +prince at its head. + +That the reader, who is not informed with respect to the Anahuacans and +the conditions which prevailed among them, may be better prepared for +an intelligent perusal of our story, the following brief account of +them is presented. + +They were a remarkable people, in many respects; and, when the lack of +opportunities which hindered, and the peculiar conditions which +influenced them, are taken into account, were wonderfully intelligent +and well advanced in civilization. Although of the Indian race, they +had nothing in common with their red brethren of the north in their +habits and manners. + +Their religion was based on an incongruous and exaggerated mythology, +which, through the influence of superstition and the machinations of a +perniciously insinuating priesthood, resulted in idol worship and the +terribly vitiating practice of human sacrifice. They believed in a +supreme being, whom they supplicated, but in an indirect way. They were +unable to conceive of a personal unity so comprehensive in attributes +of perfection as is the Great Creator and Savior of man, and, +therefore, supplicated through inferior ministers--presiding deities, +represented in great images set up in their teocallis--temples. + +They had a system of education, which embraced a traditional history, +astronomy, mechanics, arithmetic, and a means of communicating ideas by +written signs, designated hieroglyphical painting, which was imparted +to the youth through the medium of a public school, under the +management of the priesthood. + +Their domestic habits, and the rules regulating intercourse between the +sexes, were most advantageous for the women. They, unlike their red +sisters of the north, and, we might add, some of the whiter ones of +Europe, were required to do no labor that was counted the man's, but +were left strictly to the performance of their domestic duties. They +were treated with the greatest consideration, especially by their +husbands; and, when sought after in marriage, were courted in a manner +truly chivalrous. + +Of their young women we quote from a well-known and authentic writer: +"The Aztec maiden was treated by her parents with a tenderness from +which all reserve was banished.... They conjured her to preserve +simplicity in her manners and conversation, uniform neatness in her +attire, with strict attention to personal cleanliness. They inculcated +modesty as the great ornament of a woman, and implicit reverence for +her husband a duty." + +When circumstances would allow of it the women beguiled the time in the +lighter work of adornment; or, not infrequently, passed it in quiet +indolence. It is said of them that they were quite pretty, not at all +like what may be seen to-day in their miserable descendants. Their long +and profuse black hair was usually confined by a web of some kind, or +adorned with wreaths of flowers, or strings of glittering beads, formed +from the precious metals and the richer gems of stone and pearl. A +scarf was sometimes worn upon the head, the fashion or design of which +we will not attempt to describe. There is scarcely anything said by +writers of their dress. We may infer, however, that it was worn with a +view to convenience, neatness, and show. The prevailing skirt, we dare +say, was of a length which did not hamper the movement, but was, +nevertheless, a work of art, as were the jackets and leggings which +were worn by the higher classes, in which elaboration and richness of +decoration were often indulged to a degree approaching gorgeousness. + +The sexes shared alike in occasions of festivity. They indulged in +banqueting and other social gatherings, which were conducted with +elegance and a remarkable degree of refinement. We quote briefly on +this point: "The halls were scented with perfumes and the courts +strewed with odoriferous flowers, which were distributed in profusion +among the guests as they arrived. Cotton napkins and ewers of water +were placed before them as they took their seats at the board; for +the venerable ceremony of ablution before and after eating was +punctiliously observed." Here is evidence of an elevated social +condition, and certainly would indicate the obtaining of a high regard +for forms in which love of the beautiful is shown and a commendable +decency inculcated. + +They smoked tobacco and indulged in intoxicants--marks of civilization, +but to become drunken was a disgrace, which was punishable in the +young. + +The governments were in some instances republican in the manner of +operating them, though subject to the rule of a prince whose position +and rights were inherited, and who was surrounded by a class of persons +dignified as nobles. However, the disposition of the king had much to +do with restricting or extending the privileges of his subjects, which +occasionally resulted in despotism, as in the case of the Tepanecs. + +The people were encouraged to become producers, especially in the +matter of agriculture. This branch of industry was closely studied, +and, considering the disadvantages labored under by the farmer in the +absence of draft animals, was very successfully conducted. They +appeared to understand the management of the ground, the dryness of +which was relieved by irrigation. + +The principal products of the farm were maize, cacao (chocolate), and a +variety of garden vegetables--the food supply--while cotton and maguey +furnished the material from which various kinds of cloth and paper were +produced, and we are told the land teemed with an abundance thereof. + +Slavery existed in various phases, the conditions being fixed according +to the circumstances governing the case. Much of the labor was, of +course, done by this class of persons. + +The forests were carefully preserved and heavy penalties imposed to +prevent their destruction. + +The men were not permitted to pass their time in idleness, but were +furnished employment by the government in the promotion of public +improvements, such as the building of great aqueducts and highways, and +expansive public edifices, palaces and temples, an example of public +economy worthy of imitation by the more enlightened people of the +world. + +Polygamy was practiced according to the means and inclination of the +individual. It was mostly confined to the nobility, however. + +With all their severity the laws protected a man completely in his +personal rights, not only as a proprietor and master, but as a slave. + +The marriage relation was regarded with the greatest reverence and +adhered to with fidelity. + +The sovereign was especially protected in his marital affairs, death +being visited upon the man who in the least degree usurped his place in +the affections of a wife or one chosen to be a wife, and the woman +concerned, we infer, was not held guiltless, but on the other hand was +counted _particeps criminis_. + +With these few references and the information with which the narrative +abounds, the reader, we feel, will be enabled to proceed intelligently +and with satisfaction in its perusal. + + + + +A PRINCE OF ANAHUAC. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +In a private and secluded apartment of his ancestral palace sat +Huälc[=o]y[=o]tl,[1] the then reduced prince of Tezcuco, deeply +engrossed in the mysteries of some hieroglyphical manuscript lying on a +table before him. While thus engaged, his personal servant, Oz[=a], +appeared at the door of his apartment, and paused in an attitude of +waiting. The prince, happening to look up, saw him, and said: + + [1] See Preface with reference to pronunciation of names. + +"What is your errand, Oza?" + +"If it will please my master, Itzalmo would have speech with him," +replied he. + +"Bid Itzalmo come; and, Oza, stand without; I may want you." + + * * * * * + +In the early part of the fifteenth century, and about one hundred years +prior to the conquest of Mexico by Cortes, the Anahuac was just +entering on its "Golden Era." It bloomed then, as it never has since, +with an almost endless variety of tropical vegetation, and under the +skillful hand of its inhabitants was made to appear like a vast park +or garden. Its cities were marvelous in the peculiarity of their +construction. On its lakes were beautiful floating gardens; emparked +villas--charming landscapes within a landscape--dotted it over, and +groves of magnificent forest trees--the oak, cypress, and other +timbers, which raised their imposing heights toward heaven--stood +sentinel, as it were, over the beautiful vales and lakes below. + +Of the many tribes of people then occupying the Anahuac, the Tezcucans, +Tepanecs, Mexicans (Aztecs), and Tlacopans were among the larger and +most prominent. Our narrative has to do with all these, but more +particularly with the first named, who were the descendants of the +Acolhuans, whose advent to the Anahuac took place near the close of the +twelfth century, and nearly simultaneously with that of the Mexicans +and Chichimecs--the latter, possibly, the race from which sprang the +Tepanecs and others of the more savage tribes. + +The Acolhuans were a mild and peaceably disposed people, and +intelligently superior. Their descendants, the Tezcucans, so called +from the name of their chief city, inherited their admirable +characteristics, and sustained their superiority for intelligence. + +The laws which governed the Tezcucans, as a nation, were, comparatively +speaking, just and equitable, having in them little of an oppressive +nature, which can not be said of some of the other tribes. A few years +previous to the time at which our story opens they were a happy and +prosperous people, and were ruled by a king who had a kind and generous +disposition, and who always held the welfare of his subjects of first +importance, for which he was greatly beloved by them. Their seat of +government was Tezcuco, a populous city at that time, situated on the +eastern border of Lake Tezcuco, nearly northeast, across the lake, from +Tenochtitlan--the Mexican capital. + +The city of Tezcuco, if not at that time the most royal capital on the +lake, was perhaps the oldest and largest; and noted especially for its +intelligence and order. Besides its teachers and scholars it had its +artisans; the latter hardly less skilled than were those of the proud +city of Azcapozalco, a rival and the capital of its greatest enemy and +despoiler. Its buildings were substantial; its palace commodious; its +temples commensurate with the demands of their votaries, while its +_tianguez_ (market place) was broad and ample. + +About the year 1418 the king of the Tepanecs found cause for declaring +war on the Tezcucans, and a bitterly contested struggle ensued, which +terminated in the overthrow of the government and subjugation of the +people of the latter, and the massacre of their good king, together +with many of his nobles. + +Among those who escaped the death-dealing hand of the victors was the +king's son, the young prince Hualcoyotl, heir to the Tezcucan crown. He +was present at the bloody and disastrous ending of the strife; but, +being concealed among the branches of a sheltering tree, from which +position he witnessed the cruel murder of his father, he was not +discovered by the foe. He was captured later, however, and thrown into +a dungeon in his own city, where, though closely guarded, he remained +only a short time, his friends effecting his escape by the substitution +of another person, who willingly gave his life in his young master's +stead. He fled to the city of Tenochtitlan, where he found refuge with +friends. After a time he was permitted, through the influence of the +Mexican king, who was friendly toward his people, to return to Tezcuco +and his ancestral palace, on condition that he would live a retired and +secluded life. He was there taken charge of and instructed by an old +tutor named Itzalmo, who had been his preceptor previous to the +overthrow of his country and death of his father. + +Hualcoyotl was about sixteen years old when he went into retirement. He +was unusually bright, and gave promise, in his deportment and youthful +precociousness, of reaching a splendid manhood. Eight years passed by, +during which period he remained in undisturbed seclusion, acquiring +knowledge and wisdom under the skillful training of the good Itzalmo, +and finding, in his hours of leisure, divertisement in the society of a +few chosen companions. He had not disappointed the expectations of his +friends, but, at the age of twenty-four, had ripened into a man of +surpassing physical and intellectual force--a worthy representative of +a noble line of princes. His adherents recognized in him their future +king--their hope of deliverance from Tepanec usurpation. + +About this time, 1426, the even tenor of the prince's life was +interrupted by the sudden and unexpected death of the destroyer of +Tezcucan independence--the old king, Tezozomoc, at Azcapozalco, the +Tepanec capital. + +The government of this nation, and its subjugated provinces, would now +devolve upon Prince Maxtla, the deceased king's son, who was looked +upon as a very unscrupulous and dangerous man--more so, if possible, +than was his father, whose rule had always been despotic and +tyrannical, especially over his foreign vassals. + +But to return to the prince's apartment. + +The servant retired with his master's message, and Itzalmo came soon +after. Advancing before Hualcoyotl, the old vassal dropped on one knee +in salutation. + +"Arise, Itzalmo," said the prince, kindly. "You have requested speech +with me. Hualcoyotl is pleased to grant any favor you may ask which is +his to bestow. Of what would you speak?" + +"Hualcoyotl, the prince, is very kind. If it please him, his servant +would speak of the king." + +"What of the king, good friend?" + +"The king is dead." + +"The king dead, you say? How came the news?" + +"By special courier but now." + +Hualcoyotl's countenance took on a grave and thoughtful expression. +After a short pause he remarked: + +"Maxtla will be king." + +"Yes, Maxtla is already king," replied Itzalmo; "crowned by his +father's hand--an event greatly to be deplored, surely; and well might +we ask, O Prince, what will be the issue?" + +"An inauspicious succession, good friend, to say the least; and one +full of painful uncertainty," spoke the master; and, after a brief +silence, he suddenly said; "Itzalmo, thou hast excellent command of thy +knowledge--thou art wise; I would know what is in thy mind. What +discernest thou in the old king's death? How will it effect our +people's condition?" + +"Hualcoyotl is the son of a noble father, and, like he was wont to do, +gives his first thoughts to his people. Be assured, O Prince, that no +good, but evil only, will come to Tezcuco from Maxtla. He is an +unscrupulous prince, and hath not the fear of the gods in his heart. +The oppressor's hand has been very heavy--the weight of it will not +grow lighter; the shackles which bind us are galling--they will not be +loosed." The old man's voice grew sadly eloquent. Raising his eyes and +looking off as if in contemplation of his enthralled and unhappy +country, he exclaimed: "Tezcuco, O Tezcuco! Thou art indeed distressed; +and the end is not!" + +"Itzalmo, good friend, it is not a cheerful picture you hold up before +me in this perplexing hour, and I fear greatly that you have not +overdrawn. What would you advise? For eight years you have been like a +father to Hualcoyotl--yes, for eight years your hand has pointed out +the way, and it has been Hualcoyotl's pleasure to walk therein. Speak, +Itzalmo, good friend; I repeat: what would you advise?" + +"It is a troublesome question you would have me answer. Time has not +been given me in which to consider. At best, we can only wait and +watch. A few days may enlighten us much in regard to Maxtla's +disposition and purpose; especially with reference to yourself. Our +friends at the king's palace will be sleeplessly vigilant; his every +movement will be closely watched, and, if of a menacing character, +reported immediately." + +"You speak truly, Itzalmo, when you say we can only wait and watch. Our +hands are indeed helpless. But do not let us anticipate troubles--they +come fast enough. Have done with that, then, and look at this," +returned the prince, calling the old preceptor's attention to the +manuscript on the table, which proved to be the work of his own hand, +and of which he desired a critical inspection by Itzalmo. + +After a close scrutiny of the manuscript the old tutor said, showing +his gratification and approval: + +"Hualcoyotl has done well. The pupil has become a master, and Itzalmo's +labors, as his instructor, are about at an end. The builder has not +builded in vain, and his heart rejoices that it is so." + +"Hualcoyotl has been fortunate in the matter of an instructor, if in +nothing else. Itzalmo has been a faithful teacher, and his reward shall +be commensurate, the gods befriending us," replied the prince, in +grateful tones. + +"May the gods befriend you, good master, not for my sake, but for your +own and that of your oppressed people!" prayerfully responded the old +tutor. + +"Your words are overkind, Itzalmo, good friend; and they will be +remembered with gratitude," returned the prince, feelingly. + +Having accomplished the object of his visit to the apartment of +Hualcoyotl, Itzalmo saluted him and withdrew. + +When left to himself the prince became thoughtful for a time, when he +was suddenly reminded that his servant was without, waiting for orders. +He struck, lightly, a small, bell-shaped instrument suspended near him, +and Oza immediately appeared in the doorway. + +"Oza," spoke the master, "ask the tzin[2] Euet to favor me with his +presence." + + [2] A word synonymous with "lord." + + * * * * * + +Tzin Euet, or Euetzin, was the son of a once prominent Tezcucan noble, +Euzelmozin, who was a close friend of the late king of Tezcuco, and a +high official in his court; and who shared, with many others, the fate +of his royal master on the sanguinary field, where the best blood of a +nation was shed to satisfy the instinctive cruelty of a barbarian +tyrant. + +When the young prince Hualcoyotl went into retirement it was thought +necessary that he should have a companion, about his own age, who would +be to him an attendant and associate, whose duty it would be to +relieve, by his presence, the monotony of his seclusion. + +From the close official relation of the fathers and the intimacy of the +families grew a warm and lasting friendship between the boys; and, as a +result, Hualcoyotl's choice of a companion fell upon tzin Euet. + +The young tzin was a student; and, under the direction of Itzalmo and +the favor of the prince, had spent the years in perfecting his +education. + +A genuine affection had gradually come between the young men, and they +were more like brothers than else. + +They were physically unlike; Euetzin being of medium height, yet of no +inferior mould, with a light cast of complexion; while the prince was +tall, muscular and dark. In age there was about a year's difference, +Hualcoyotl being the senior. They were fine specimens of their race. + +Oza delivered his master's message to the tzin, who promptly responded. +The young lord never forgot that his friend was also his prince, and +always saluted him profoundly when they met, which he did on entering +his apartment. + +"Thanks, noble tzin, for your promptness in coming to my relief. I am +wearied of my work, and would have exercise. Will you go with me to the +court?" kindly spoke the prince. + +"With gladness, O Prince. You ought to know by now that your slightest +wish is a law unto your friends, especially to myself, in whom +obedience to you is the fullness of pleasure, born of affection," +answered Euetzin, his countenance beaming with an expression which +emphasized his words. + +"Euetzin, I believe you; for without affection a friendship so true as +yours could not exist. But come; let us to the court." + + * * * * * + +The ancestral palace of the Tezcucan princes at this period was not to +be compared with what it was later, yet was, presumably, an expansive +structure, if not massive, built on three sides of a court, the court +terminating at the rear of it in a beautifully arranged garden. + +In the front, or main portion, of the palace were the audience hall and +council chamber; also various other apartments, among them those +intended for the private use of the king and his numerous household; +many of which, after the subversion of the government and death of the +king, fell into disuse by the dispersion of the occupants. + +In one of the back wings which extended along the side of the court, +were the culinary establishment, banqueting hall, and, communicating +with the latter, saloons, or reception rooms. There were other +apartments connected with this wing for the accommodation of servants, +the ordinary vassals of the king, of whom there were a very great +number in his time, but which were now reduced to the actual +necessities of the prince and his companions. + +In the other wing of the palace was an extensive conservatory, where +were cultivated the choicest flowers and shrubs to be found in the +valley, of which there was no lack. The Anahuacans took great delight +in floral displays, and no home was complete without its flowers. + +When the prince and his companion reached the court they found some of +their attendants playing at ball. This was one of Hualcoyotl's favorite +means of obtaining exercise and relief from the depressing effects of +his enforced seclusion, and they immediately joined in the game. + +After indulging in the sport to their satisfaction the prince requested +Euetzin to withdraw with him to the rear of the court, where they found +a pleasant retreat and protection from the sun's heat in an inviting +arbor, which was especially arranged for their comfort and enjoyment in +leisure hours. When they were at ease the prince said: + +"Are you aware, tzin Euet, that the king is dead?" + +"Yes, Prince. Itzalmo informed me soon after receiving the message." + +"Itzalmo is of opinion that the coming of Maxtla to the throne will, if +anything, add to the distress of our people. I have great regard for +his sagacity, yet withal, being deeply concerned personally, I would +have your opinion also, tzin Euet, and have brought you here to obtain +it. You may be able to throw some light on the matter, and, by so +doing, change the present aspect of it. Maxtla is king; and, as we have +reason to believe, a king without scruples, and not to be relied on. +Were Tezcuco in position to demand the restoration of her rights as a +nation we would know how to proceed; but she is not, and we are left +with only one alternative, that of submission. Thus unhappily +environed, our only recourse is to seek to mollify the king. How to do +this, friend Euet, is the present and very important question." + +Hualcoyotl paused, and looked inquiringly at the tzin. + +"Yourself, O Prince, will be the one most affected by the change of +rulers, and through you the new king must be mollified, if such a thing +be possible. I fear very much that any overtures in that direction will +be met by a scornful rejection, especially with reference to your own +case," was Euetzin's rather discouraging reply. + +"On what grounds, tzin Euet, do you rest your fears?" + +"On the character of the man who now becomes the wrongful ruler of our +people. His exceedingly bad record as a young man--a record full of +meanness, largely made up of diabolism and cruelty, evidence of which +is not lacking, furnishes sufficient grounds for fear and apprehension. +I will venture an assertion, O Prince, which may seem overstrong to +you, yet I feel confident I do not err in my conclusions. It does not +require a prophet to foretell a thing when the conditions portend it. +You, O Hualcoyotl, the rightful prince of Tezcuco, and Maxtla, the +king, can not both continue to live under the same government. Mark me +well! Sooner or later you will be compelled to fly or suffer death." + +It was with a pale, stern face the tzin uttered his concluding words. +The prince looked at him in amazement, considering the enormity implied +in the prediction; yet, when he spoke, it was with perfect calmness. + +"You undoubtedly believe what you say, my dear tzin; yet I am slow to +think myself so obnoxious to the king as your words imply." + +"You are obnoxious to him, noble prince, to the extent of being feared. +He is a jealous and suspicious man, in addition to his many other +faults, and will brook no possible rival to his authority over Tezcuco. +While Hualcoyotl, the beloved prince of an enslaved people, lives, and +is, in a measure, at liberty, Maxtla will not rest in security. +Believe, O noblest of friends, I beg you, that I would not unduly +excite you in this matter; but being deeply impressed with the thought +that your life is in jeopardy, I am impelled to raise my voice in +warning." + +After a moment's pause the prince said: + +"Tzin Euet, I must know to a certainty if your apprehensions of peril +to myself are correct. Have you any plan to offer? You seem to have +given the matter thought. What would you do?" inquired Hualcoyotl, +showing unusual concern. + +"I would go to Azcapozalco, and into the king's presence at once, and +offer him allegiance. If he contemplates harm to you he will show it. +He will not dare to molest you openly without cause. Your return may be +fraught with danger, yet it is worth the hazard to learn his mind," +replied the tzin. + +"The past has taught me, Euetzin, that your opinions are usually well +grounded. The character established by Prince Maxtla in the past, as +you say, is sufficient cause for apprehension. Your words have stirred +me deeply, and I think I will act upon them; though, before doing so, I +must have time for thought. Say nothing to anyone of what is in your +mind respecting this matter, not even to Itzalmo; he would only oppose +my going before the king," returned the prince; and continuing, he +said: "I pray your judgment may be in error this once; though, looking +at it as you do, I fear the worst." + +The young men, feeling somewhat dejected, very soon left the arbor and +returned, each to his own apartment. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Lake Tezcuco, the principal one of several situated in the great valley +of Mexico, four and three quarter centuries ago, when the present +Mexican capital (then Tenochtitlan) stood a league or more within its +borders, was quite an inland body of water, covering well on to four +hundred square miles of surface. Since that time this lake has shrunken +to a remarkable degree, leaving the great valley city, and the sites of +others now reduced to insignificance, miles away from it. + +At the time to which our narrative refers nearly all the chief cities +of Anahuac were situated on its shores, among which was the Tepanec +capital, Azcapozalco, located near the northwest corner of the lake. To +this city we now have occasion to turn briefly. + +Azcapozalco was designated as the royal city, which, if it signified +anything, meant that in the time of its ascendency it was the most +magnificent seat of government on the lake, if not on the Anahuac. It +was a city of walls we are told, and must have boasted of elegant +structures of stone and sun-dried brick, which suggests the idea of +towering temples, a grand palace and court, and extensive avenues, +where swarmed an aggressive and busy population. Its artificers, it is +said, were superior in skill to those of any other city on the great +plateau, which meant much, when we consider that among these were to be +found jewelers who could unify metals so perfectly as to represent +objects, harmoniously variegated, by alternately intermixing of silver +and gold. + +Of their weavers we may speak equally well. + +The ancient Mexicans were the first people to use the cochineal for +purposes of coloring, which, after the conquest, was introduced into +Europe by the Spaniards. Their weavers were enabled with it to make the +products of the loom not only brilliant but beautiful. + +The fineness of their fabrics varied in texture as well as in dye, the +most finished being made of cotton, one of their principal products, +with which was interwoven the finest animal hair, forming a web fit to +be worn by a king. + +A royal city, we may well believe, was Azcapozalco, when Maxtla, the +tyrant rival of Prince Hualcoyotl, became the arbiter of its destiny. + + * * * * * + +Maxtla was seated on his throne, in the audience hall of his palace, +surrounded by his chiefs and advisers--nobles of his realm, holding +conference with them regarding the duties of their respective +positions, and arranging other matters pertaining to his new and +exalted station. + +The king was a man of medium stature, with a well-rounded physique, +swarthy complexion, and very course features. His eyes were small and +black, and lighted up with a gleam of cunning and ferocity, which gave +to his countenance a decidedly disagreeable expression, and one that +boded no good to those whom he might deem his enemies. + +The costume he wore consisted of a loose-fitting tunic and leggings +made to fit his limbs closely to below the calf; the whole wrought from +the finest cotton fabrics and ornamented with trimmings of gold. Over +his shoulders was carelessly worn a rich mantle of featherwork. His +feet were incased in sandals made from the skin of some wild animal; +while on his head rested a crown formed of precious metals, and +ornamented with gems and a _penache_ of richly colored feathers. + +His chiefs were similarly dressed, excepting the crown, but in a less +gaudy manner. + +A pause had fallen on the assembly, which was interrupted by the +entrance of a herald, who announced Prince Hualcoyotl as desiring +audience with the king. The mention of the prince's name caused no +little commotion among the king's attendants. A cloud of disapproval +came over Maxtla's face, and the evil expression upon it was +intensified. After a moment's hesitation he directed that the prince be +admitted. + +On entering the hall, Hualcoyotl advanced before the king and saluted +him in the accustomed manner: kneeling on one knee, placing his right +hand on the ground and then to his forehead. While in this position he +laid at the scowling Maxtla's feet an offering of flowers, which was +emblematic of his peaceful intentions. The king gave a momentary glance +at the prostrate prince, and then, with malice and hatred depicted on +his countenance, silently and haughtily turned his back upon him. This +action on the part of Maxtla was highly significant: it was intended as +a humiliation to the prince, and signified that his offering was +rejected; also, that no favor might be expected by him from the throne. + +Hualcoyotl rose to his feet deeply moved by the conduct of the king; +and, after a moment's hesitation, quietly walked out of the hall. As he +left the door he was accosted by one of the king's attendants, who +begged him to withdraw from the palace and city, and return to his own +as quickly as possible, for his life was in great danger. He was soon +on the road to Tezcuco, where he arrived safely, but much perturbed in +spirit and perplexed in mind. + +He went immediately to his private apartment, and summoned Euetzin into +his presence. In a very short time the tzin appeared, and, after +saluting him, said: + +"I am here in answer to your summons, noble prince, and would know your +pleasure." + +"Be at ease, good friend," returned Hualcoyotl, gravely, motioning the +tzin to a seat. A brief silence followed, which was broken by the +prince. + +"Euetzin," he began, fixing his passion-lit eyes on his friend, "the +wisdom and penetration of an older head than might be expected has been +given to you, as my appearance before the king has proven." + +"You have seen the king?" inquiringly interrupted the tzin. + +"I have," answered the prince, reflectively, looking beyond. Another +short pause intervened, and recovering himself he continued, adopting a +manner of expression peculiar to his race. + +"The lion is loosed, and the fire of anger is in his heart; the fox +must be wary, or his cunning may not save him. Do you interpret in +these words the nature of my reception by the king?" + +"I do, and know that I read him truly." + +"You did, most truly. In accordance with your opinion and advice I went +before the king, and in the presence of his assembled chiefs tendered +my fealty and peace offering to his majesty with the accustomed +formalities. My offerings were rejected, and I, the Prince of Tezcuco, +was spurned by him in the most humiliating manner, and compelled like a +coward to slink from his presence under the infliction of the +indignity, without the power to resent it. Euetzin, something must be +done, and quickly; for Maxtla evidently contemplates harm to myself, +his supposed rival, and will stop at nothing short of my destruction. +It must be victory for Tezcuco or death for her prince, as it now +appears." + +Euetzin felt that a reply was expected and said: + +"Hualcoyotl, the son of our lamented king, can rely upon his friends in +any emergency. They are devoted to their country and prince, and only +await an opportunity to avenge the wrongs which have been laid upon +them." + +"Your words, tzin Euet, are encouraging, for they strengthen an +impression which I have hopefully entertained: that our people are +still imbued with patriotism and love for their country, and may be led +by incitement to do battle for its redemption. If our hope is not a +vain one, which can only be ascertained by investigation, someone whose +soul is in our cause must go abroad to inspire, arouse and prepare them +for revolt. By my peculiar position I am unfortunately placed. I can +not go to those with whom I would counsel, neither can they come to me; +for my every movement will henceforth be under strict and secret +surveillance. On you, therefore, my trusted friend, must fall the work +which I would, but can not, do--the work of stimulating our people to +action and organizing them into an army of resistance to the Tepanec +despot, Maxtla. I need not inquire if you will do it; Euetzin is the +son of Euzelmozin--that alone bespeaks his compliance." + +"My life, O Prince, is at your disposal. You have but to command and I +will obey." + +"Spoken like the true Tezcucan that you are, noble Euet. That +Hualcoyotl has not many more such loyal friends in his misfortune!" + +"The hour of need may discover to Hualcoyotl an army of friends not +less worthy of trust than Euet," replied the tzin modestly. + +"Friends worthy and true, possibly--never but one Euet," returned the +prince, with a look which voiced the affectionate esteem in which he +held his companion. + +The tzin was considerably affected by the prince's fervent manner and +language, and appeared confused for want of a suitable reply, which the +latter observed, and, quickly continuing, reverted to the main question +under consideration. + +"The mission on which you are about to go is a very dangerous one," +said he. "Should you be discovered, death would undoubtedly be the +consequence." + +"I am aware of that, O Prince, yet I beg you will have no fears for my +safety. I will choose my own companions, and, be assured, they will not +be of the emissaries of Maxtla." + +"I believe you; and now, since you are to go, let there be no delay. +Seek our friends and counsel with them. Learn the true feelings of our +people, and, if possible, the number of our adherents available for +soldiers; also, if so desirable an end may be attained, secure the +cooperation of other states which are friendly to us. Work with the +wisdom and judgment of which I know you to be possessed, and according +to the success of your labors shall be your reward. May our nation +rise, under your hand, from the ashes of her former greatness, is our +most earnest prayer. Go as soon as you can arrange to do so, and may +the gods of our fathers be with you and keep you. You will see your +excellent mother and sister; bear to them, I pray you, my profound +respect, and say that I would come to them could I do so with safety." + +Euetzin at leaving would have saluted the prince in the accustomed +manner, but was stopped by him, and, instead, was received upon his +breast in a strong embrace, which signified that he was, for the time +at least, accepted as an equal in all respects. + +Realizing the very grave circumstances under which they were parting, +the friends separated with feelings of deepest sadness. + +The prince's confidence in the loyalty and integrity of his friend was +full and complete, as we have seen, and the sequel proved that it was +wisely placed. + +When the tzin had withdrawn from the prince's apartment the latter fell +into deep meditation, as was his wont in the recent past. His thoughts +at length appeared to turn on his aged preceptor, for he spoke audibly, +as if addressing someone: + +"Yes, the good Itzalmo must not be overlooked in this matter. He has +been like a father to me, and should share fully in my confidence. His +wisdom and sagacity may yet be of invaluable service to me, as they +have been in the past." + +He arose and straightway sought the old servitor in his private +apartment, where he found him poring over his hieroglyphics. +Salutations were exchanged, and the prince proceeded to relate the +particulars of his visit to the palace of Maxtla; also to express his +fears as to the consequences liable to ensue, and his determination to +meet them by a speedy preparation for resistance. + +Itzalmo was not pleased that the prince had gone before the king +unknown to him, yet his solicitude was instantly aroused in his behalf, +and a careful study of the situation followed. + +The old preceptor was a man of marked shrewdness and cunning, and more +than a match for Maxtla if open violence was not resorted to. Friends, +known to no one but himself, were to be found in the king's palace who +quickly notified him when anything of importance occurred in his +majesty's household or court. In this manner he was kept informed and +always forewarned. + +Acquainted, as the old Tezcucan was, with the treacherous disposition +of the Tepanecs, and Maxtla in particular, he felt that the strictest +watchfulness would be necessary to avoid surprise. He had saved the +prince from the wrath of the old king, and hoped he might be able to +save him again, should the emergency arise. He therefore begged him to +be discreet and trust to him. + +"You are young, O Prince, and with little experience to guide you," he +said. "I pray you, be not incautious, but let your actions be governed +by wisdom and understanding. Do not forget, O Hualcoyotl, that the +destiny of a people rests with you. Listen to him who has counseled and +shown you the way in the past. Itzalmo is your proven friend; he will +do for you what no other can." + +The old man's earnestness was remarkable, and the prince felt it. He +said: + +"Itzalmo, I know that I may trust you wholly; for have you not, indeed, +proven it in many ways? Be assured, then, my ever faithful friend, that +your counsel shall not be ignored. I will be guarded in what I do. You +have my promise." + +As he concluded, the prince passed from the apartment of the loyal old +vassal, the latter sending after him a prayerful benediction. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +"Zelmonco is very lonesome, mother. How rarely does anything come to +disturb the sameness of our lives. No change from day to day: only the +voice of Nature, in the songs of birds and the murmur of the leaves, is +heard; and, much as I love these sounds, they make me sad." + +These words were addressed by a young girl to an elderly appearing +woman a short distance off, who was at the moment giving attention to a +beautiful cluster of blooming rosebushes. + +"Yes, the villa does seem lonesome; still we have each other, my child, +which is much to be thankful for," was answered. + +"True, mother; but that does not relieve the quietude of our home. I +wish that Euet would come. He remains from us longer this time than +usual. Do you think we may expect him soon?" + +"Euet does, indeed, stay from home longer than usual, but is no doubt +detained. Still, I hope he will be here before the day is gone," +replied the elderly woman. + +The persons engaged thus in conversation were in the open air, +strolling leisurely about, rearranging a disturbed bush or vine, +plucking a flower here and a twig there, and drinking in the sweet +perfumes rising from the odoriferous flowers and shrubs which met them +at every turn. They were the mother and sister of Euetzin, the friend +and companion of Prince Hualcoyotl, who were out for an hour's stroll +in the beautiful grounds fronting their villa home--a place very dear +to them for the sacred memories which clung around it; memories of +other and happier days, when home associations and ties were unbroken +and complete. + +Euzelmozin, the husband and father, as we have stated previously, +perished with his king on the battle field, where Tezcucan liberty went +down under the bloody hand of a cruel victor. He left them a beautiful +home, however, with gold and other wealth sufficient to make them +independent. + +By paying promptly the required tribute to the Tepanec king they were +permitted to live undisturbed in their isolation. + +The mother, whose name was Teochma, had passed middle life. She still +possessed a vigorous womanhood, and showed her age in the hair only, +which was freely sprinkled over with gray. + +Itlza, the daughter, was fair and of medium size. About nineteen years +had marked her young life, but, being a child of a sunny clime, she +appeared older. She was not beautiful, yet upon her face there was a +sweet, confiding look, which attracted and charmed the beholder, +impressing his or her mind with a pleasing sense of acquaintanceship. +The light of geniality beamed upon her countenance, and a spirit of +mirthfulness sparkled up from the depths of two bright, laughing eyes. +A pair of carmine-tinted lips, as delicately colored as the lovely rose +she was carelessly twirling between her thumb and finger, backed by two +perfect rows of pearly teeth, adorned a pretty, tempting mouth, which +completed the charm and brightness of an otherwise plain face. + +They were dressed becomingly in the manner of their people. The +character of their dress was not greatly dissimilar to that worn by the +women of other Indian nations, except in its completeness. Among the +higher classes of native Mexican women the costume was usually gorgeous +in gay colors, and adorned with trimmings of gold and featherwork. + +The mother and sister of tzin Euet were the wife and daughter of a +fallen Tezcucan noble; and, though robbed of the title of nobility, +still endeavored to sustain, in their manner of living, the dignity of +their former rank. + +Zelmonco villa, the home of the family, was situated on an eminence, +about two leagues from Tezcuco, and commanded a fine view of the +adjacent country and the city in the distance. Euetzin was in the habit +of visiting it often, to enjoy, for a brief season, the society of his +loved and honored mother and very dear sister. + +It becomes necessary at this point for us to return to the time of +parting between the tzin and prince, which occurred some hours earlier +than the incident which opens this chapter. + +On withdrawing from Hualcoyotl's apartment, Euetzin made a hasty +preparation to leave the city. His first object was to pay a hurried +visit to his mother and sister, and then go forward in the performance +of his mission. When the necessary preparations for his departure were +completed, he left the palace, going out through the court onto a +thoroughfare, which he followed for some distance. On reaching the +outskirts of the city he took a southeasterly course and walked briskly +in the direction of his home. He had about six miles to go, but thought +nothing of it. The Aztec mode of traveling was almost entirely +pedestrial; in fact, none but the wealthy and the nobility traveled in +any other way. The palanquin, a kind of chair, borne by slaves or hired +servants, was their only conveyance--burden-bearing animals being +unknown on the Anahuac previous to the advent of the conquerors. The +men were, as a consequence, trained pedestrians from necessity and +habit. + +As Euetzin neared the villa, the anxiety to see his loved ones grew +upon him, and his movement became proportionately quicker. He had to +pass up through the park to reach the house; and, anticipating he would +find his mother and sister strolling there, carefully guarded his +approach from observation, hoping to give them a sudden and pleasant +surprise. + +The words addressed to his mother by Itlza, and the replies were +distinctly heard by the tzin as he drew near. + +Itlza continued to address her mother: + +"Do you think, mother, that the old king's death will effect the prince +in his retirement?" she asked. + +"Maxtla will be king; evil is in Maxtla's heart--the prince must +beware," replied the mother. + +"Why does Hualcoyotl remain so passively a prisoner in his own palace? +Is he a slave that he endures his restraint without an effort to obtain +his freedom?" questioned Itlza, with much warmth. + +"I know of but one way by which he might gain his freedom, my child; +and that is too terrible to think about." + +"You allude to a revolt, mother?" + +"Yes, it was that I had in mind; and yet, though it would bring sorrow +to many hearts, and possibly to ours, I could not say my people nay +should they attempt it, for they are but slaves to the Tepanec king," +replied the mother, in accents of sadness. + +"You speak truly, mother; for Euet would--" Itlza's half-formed +sentence was here suddenly broken off. She was seized from behind and +held firmly for a moment, while a hand was placed over her mouth. When +she was released, she turned quickly to learn who her assailant was, +and met the laughing face of her brother, who saluted her in a most +loving manner and completed her unfinished sentence by saying: + +"Euet would that you drop so unpleasant a subject--there is only +sadness in it." + +"A bad brother is Euet, to give his sister such a fright!" exclaimed +she, pleasantly. + +The tzin answered her badinage with a closer embrace; and, releasing +her, saluted his mother in an affectionate manner, who said: + +"Euet, my son, you are most welcome after so protracted an absence. +Your sister and myself were beginning to wonder at your remaining away +so long, and would in a little while have become uneasy about you." + +"My mother and sister are very good to remember me so kindly, but they +should not forget that Euet is no longer a boy. A man's +responsibilities are now his, and he has duties to perform which +sometimes interfere very much with his plans for gratifying the +cravings of his heart. I am not forgetful of the filial obligations +which bind me with golden chords of love to my estimable mother and +sweet sister; yet there are times, in the press of worldlier things, +when even these most precious of all obligations are neglected." + +"You are right, my son; a mother's love is selfish. I had not +considered well--but you are tired and need refreshment. Let us go in." + +As they moved toward the house the conversation was continued. The +mother presently inquired: + +"How fares the good prince?" + +"The prince is well, though somewhat dejected at the turn affairs have +taken since the old king's death, of which you have already heard," +answered the tzin. + +"Yes, the news of his death has spread quickly. Your allusion to it +prompts me to inquire about his successor. Maxtla has ascended the +throne, I suppose, and now rules in his father's stead?" inquiringly +returned the mother. + +"Maxtla is king," replied Euet; "and even now may be laying plans for +the destruction of the prince." + +The faces of the mother and daughter quickly took on an expression of +anxiety. + +Hualcoyotl had spent many of his boyhood hours at the home of his +friend Euet, which had resulted in his holding a warm place in the +heart of each member of the family. Itlza and her mother had not seen +him for a number of years, yet in Euetzin was found a link which bound +them still to their young friend of other and more auspicious times. + +"What are we to understand by those ominous words, my son?" inquired +the mother in anxious tones. + +"Good mother, I will explain, but not now. My walk has made me +ravenous, and I do not intend that even your anxiety for the prince +shall deprive me of my supper," replied he, playfully. + +"How thoughtless of me to forget for a moment that you are hungry," +returned she, with maternal concern. "Itlza, see that refreshments are +served immediately; and now, my son, you must pardon your mother for +her negligence." + +"Thank my mother for her goodness, rather, in being thoughtful of my +friend," replied the tzin, imprinting a filial kiss upon her brow. + +This act and the accompanying words were in a vein of affectionate +mirthfulness which brought the mother's heart into her eyes, and she +could only look her gratitude. The tzin led her to the board where +refreshments were served, and mother and daughter were soon partaking +of a spirit of cheerfulness which his presence imparted.... + +The day was nearly spent; approaching night was beginning to cast her +shadows over the earth, and her dusky mantle would soon envelope all. +The family were seated in the spacious drawing-room of their home. +Euetzin was relating the particulars of the prince's experience at the +palace of the king, and his mother and sister were listening with the +most intense interest to his recital. When he told of the prince's +determination to prepare for resistance, and that he, the tzin, was +then on his way to engage in inciting it, the mother could keep silent +no longer, but cried out in anguish of heart: + +"Oh, my son, can it be that my fears are to be realized so soon, and +must we indeed lose you?" + +"Be calm, good mother; do not make my duties heavier by inflicting +greater sadness upon my heart. You would not counsel your boy to shrink +from the call which must come, sooner or later, to every true son of +Tezcuco? The prince has seen fit to send me as his representative among +the people, and has charged me with a great and responsible duty. Shall +the son of Euzelmozin cowardly shirk it, or shall he, like his lamented +father, be fearless in the face of danger? What greater danger, O +Teochma, my mother, could arise than that which now threatens the +destruction of our prince, and a lower degradation for our deeply +wronged country?" + +"Forgive me, my son, if I showed in my words a feeling of resentment to +the fates that would rob me of my boy. You know your mother too well to +believe that she would for a moment counsel you contrary to the +dictates of patriotism. No, Euet; though my heart may bleed for the +sorrow it will feel, yet would I say, go to your duty, perform it to +the best of your ability, and prove yourself a worthy son of Zelmozin +and Tezcuco." + +"Thanks, my noble mother; with your approval, so patriotically +expressed, I will go out into the midst of dangers, fearing only to do +wrong." + + * * * * * + +When the morning came the tzin was gone, and the unwonted stillness of +the villa told of saddened hearts within. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +When suspicious jealousy culminates in anger it is but a step to +malicious madness. In such a conflict of the passions reason is unable +to hold its sway; especially is this true if the natural impulses of +the heart are evil. The fatal step is taken and destruction inevitably +follows upon the victim, and too often upon those who are innocently +the cause. + +Maddened at the sight of his supposed rival, and no longer the +unimpassioned arbiter of a king's court, Maxtla, immediately on the +withdrawal of Prince Hualcoyotl, dismissed from his presence the chiefs +and vassals about him, and retired to his own apartment, where, by +giving way to the dominant passions of his nature, he wrought himself +into a very demon. In his terrible anger he resolved that Hualcoyotl +should die, and ordered a meeting of his privy council, whose duty it +was to pass upon the decisions of the king, to take place at once. + +The council convened in a chamber set apart for that purpose. When the +members were all seated the king addressed them. He appeared unusually +stern and determined, and evidenced the deep, terrible, and inflexible +purpose which moved him. He said: + +"Your king has commanded your presence here at this hour to obtain your +approval to a decree of death, which he has laid upon one who is a +menace to our authority. Hualcoyotl, the prince of Tezcuco, is the only +surviving heir to the Tezcucan crown. While he is permitted to live the +Tepanec supremacy over that nation will be as unstable as would a +habitation on yonder burning mountain.[3] The voice of the murmuring +wind is not more distinct than is the murmur of repining and +disaffection which rises from among our subjugated vassals, the +Tezcucans, who would have this prince to rule over them. Shall we fold +our arms and wait for the storm of insurrection and rebellion, which +his existence makes possible, to sweep down upon and overwhelm us, or +shall we be wise in precluding the possibility of such an event by his +removal? The desolation of our kingdom would no doubt be attempted, and +possibly accomplished, should he be raised to power; and I warn you, if +accomplished, more than Maxtla would find a grave beneath the ruins. We +must strike, worthy chiefs, nobles, for self-preservation. Your king +has decreed it--Hualcoyotl must die; are you prepared to approve the +decision?" + + [3] Popocatepetl. + +The members of the council felt that the king was in no humor to brook +opposition, and as it was a personal as well as public consideration +with them the decree was confirmed. + +It was decided, in accordance with the wishes of the king, to have +the prince put out of the way in a quiet manner. Agreeable to this +decision, arrangements were made for a private party to be given by one +of the king's officers in Tezcuco, to which the prince was to have a +cordial and pressing invitation, and at which he was to be secretly put +to death. + +Itzalmo was informed of the diabolical plotting of the conspirators by +a friend who was close to the king, and shrewdly defeated their design +to assassinate his young master; but tradition says another perished in +his stead. + +The failure of the plan to entrap the prince so enraged the king that +he threw off all disguise and publicly proclaimed the decree condemning +him to death. The execution of the mandate was imposed upon one of his +chief officers, who was ordered to go with a party of soldiers to +Tezcuco, and there to enter the palace, seize the prince and put him to +death. + + * * * * * + +On the second day subsequent to the one on which the attempt was made +to create an opportunity in which to assassinate the prince--the +consummation of which was prevented by the old preceptor's cunning, +Hualcoyotl was seated alone in his private apartment. There was a +notable change in his appearance. The past few days, with their +important and, to him, momentous events, had made him seem older. The +youthfulness and freshness of his former self were gone, and the +sternness of a determined man had settled upon him. + +The tzin had been gone several days, and the importance of his mission +under the light of recent developments was greatly heightened. The +prince felt that his friend's prediction relative to the king's +probable conduct toward himself was likely to be verified; yet he hoped +for time, that organized resistance might be effected before extreme +measures were resorted to by his enemy. Still he was not sanguine: the +uncertainty of the situation because of the meagerness of knowledge +possessed regarding the temper and disposition of his people was a +source of discouragement. A consciousness of his present helpless +state, also, had its depressing effect. Hope, however, supported by a +strong faith in the patriotism of his immediate friends sustained him. +He could not work, and had fallen into one of his thoughtful moods. His +countenance was ever expressive of his emotions, the character of his +thoughts being clearly reflected upon it. Now a dark cloud would cover +his face, its shadows deepened and intensified by the flashes of angry +light which gleamed from his dark eyes, plainly showing the feelings +which agitated his troubled and fearless soul. Again, the subduing +influence of more gentle thoughts would follow, and the hard lines upon +his countenance would pass away, giving place to a softened expression +which clearly said the nobler man within had risen, and that thoughts +according with his better nature held his mind. + +Love of country, pity for his oppressed people, sorrow for those whose +loss he mourned, and affection for his immediate friends and companions +were ruling passions in him, and could not be repressed for any great +length of time. So he sat and pondered, trains of thought the while, +ladened with bitter and sweet, coursing their way across his active +brain, till suddenly he exclaimed: "Beware! O Maxtla, perfidious +monster; the hunted ocelotl[4] may turn and rend you." With these +words, which broke the spell, Hualcoyotl awoke from his reverie, little +dreaming that at that very moment death was on his track and closely +stealing to take him unaware. + + [4] The Mexican tiger-cat. + +The news of the issuing of the king's decree condemning the prince to +death had just reached Itzalmo; and, almost at the same moment in which +Hualcoyotl uttered the exclamation which broke in on his reverie, a +servant approached his door to say that the watchful old servitor +wished to communicate with him. + +"Inform Itzalmo that I will see him in his own apartment," said the +prince, in answer to the message. + +Hualcoyotl was greatly surprised on entering the old man's room to find +him very much agitated, and at once surmised that something of a very +serious nature was the matter; for Itzalmo was ever dignified and +composed in his demeanor, seldom permitting anything to visibly disturb +him. After the accustomed civilities he addressed the prince: + +"I have just received startling intelligence from our friends at the +palace of Maxtla to the effect, most noble prince, that your life is in +imminent peril. The failure of the king's plan to entrap you two days +since has so enraged his majesty that he has thrown off all restraint, +and publicly proclaims your existence a menace to his authority, and +that it must be terminated. He has ordered an officer with a number of +soldiers to come here and murder you--yes, murder you in your own +palace. Your only safety lies in flight. Go at once, O Prince; for they +may come at any moment." + +Hualcoyotl's habitual serenity was somewhat shaken by the knowledge of +his public condemnation to death; but it was only for a moment, for he +quickly recovered, and when Itzalmo finished speaking, said: + +"You are a true friend to me, Itzalmo, but in your anxiety for the +safety of your prince forget your teachings. What you propose might be +the best thing to do; such a course, however, would not be in +accordance with my training; neither would it meet the approval of my +feelings. No, good friend, I'll turn my back upon no man. Let them +come--I will remain to receive them." + +"You, O Hualcoyotl, prince of Tezcuco, forget your duty to your people, +and remember only your pride of honor," remonstrated Itzalmo. + +"My dear, good friend, I forget nothing, except that I am Maxtla's +slave," returned the prince, with flashing eyes. "If the gods forsake +us not," continued he, "Hualcoyotl, prince of Tezcuco, will yet meet +this monster king on equal terms, and when he does, the skill at arms +which thou hast taught shall serve him well; or, failing, leave him a +lifeless thing at Maxtla's feet! A truce to further discussion of the +matter except as to where and how these assassins are to be received." + +Itzalmo was greatly discouraged by the prince's refusal to fly the +palace, but not less determined to do all in his power to save him. It +was agreed that he should repair to the court and engage in a game of +ball, trusting to his good luck and the cunning of the old tutor to +deliver him from the dangers which encompassed him. + +When the soldiers arrived they were received in the palace and informed +that Hualcoyotl was playing at ball in the court. This had the desired +effect of leading the officer to infer that he had found the prince and +his household ignorant of the contemplated assassination of the former; +thus rendering it less difficult for Itzalmo to further and accomplish +any meditated plan looking to the frustration of the murderous design +upon his young master's life. + +When the soldiers reached the court they were received in a very +courteous manner by the prince, who said: + +"The soldiers of Maxtla, the king, do me great honor in visiting my +palace at this time, and will add to my pleasure if they will enter +with me and partake of refreshments to relieve the fatigue of their +journey." + +The prince's demeanor was dignified and fearless, and his speech the +essence of suavity, which threw the officer off his guard, who, feeling +secure in the ultimate accomplishment of his purpose, replied: + +"Hualcoyotl, the prince, honors the king's service in extending to his +soldiers the hospitality of his board, and as the soldiers of the king +are not unlike other men, but, like other men, require sustenance, they +accept the kind invitation." + +The prince led the way to the banqueting hall, where the party was +seated and refreshments ordered to be served. The refreshments were +brought from an adjoining saloon, between which and the banqueting hall +was a broad, arched doorway, with hangings, or portieres, richly +adorned with gold and other trimmings, now drawn to each side and held +by ornamental holders. + +It was the custom of the natives of Anahuac, when an honored guest was +being entertained, to place a burning censer in a conspicuous place and +feed it with aromatics during the time of entertainment. The censer, on +this occasion, was placed in the doorway between the banqueting hall +and saloon. + +While the party were engaged in eating and drinking, the prince +suddenly had occasion to call a servant. No servant responded to the +call, however, which seemed to arouse his ire. With an impatient +gesture he arose from his place at the board and passed to the saloon +as if in search of one. As he left the hall a fresh supply of aromatics +was thrown into the censer, sending up dense clouds of incense, which +enveloped him and filled the doorway, thus obscuring his movements from +the eyes of the soldiers. At this moment a servant entered from another +direction, as if in answer to the prince's summons. + +"Did my master call?" he inquired. + +"He did," replied the officer, "and is now in search of you." + +The servant busied himself about the table for a short time, and then +took a position at a respectful distance, apparently waiting his +master's return. + +The minutes went by and the prince did not return. It suddenly dawned +upon the mind of the officer that something was being done to thwart +him--that he had been duped; and, quickly rising from his seat, he +rushed into the saloon, followed by his men. No trace of the prince was +found, and a general search of the palace was ordered. It proved +fruitless, however, for the prince was not discovered, nor could +anything be learned from the servants concerning him. He had vanished, +to all appearances, in the clouds of incense which enveloped him as he +passed from the banqueting hall to the saloon. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Among the many ruins of ancient Mexico, and not the least of interest +and wonder, were those of the great aqueducts, by means of which vast +quantities of water were brought from distant points to supply an +extensive system of irrigation, and, presumably, the palaces and villas +of the rulers and their wealthy adherents. + +The Tezcucan palace, while Hualcoyotl's father was yet a prosperous and +independent sovereign, was furnished with all the advantages +attainable, among which was an abundant supply of water, brought into +the palace through a large conduit, or earthen pipe. After the +subjugation of the Tezcucans, and death of their king, this pipe fell +into disuse and ruin. + +There was a passageway leading from within the palace to the abandoned +conduit, which was concealed by a secret door. In this outlet Itzalmo +saw a sure avenue of deliverance for his young master, and devised a +plan of escape for him through its offered adaptedness, which was +successfully carried out, as recorded at the close of the last chapter. + +The plan of escape, so ingeniously devised by the old preceptor, was +communicated to the prince, who, after being again urged to save +himself for the sake of his people, concluded to acquiesce; for he +began to realize that death certainly awaited him should he remain, +while in the plan of Itzalmo there was hope, a strong argument against +his false notion of defiance in the face of such overwhelming odds. + +When Hualcoyotl left the banqueting hall and entered the saloon he was +hurried to and through the secret door into the passageway and on to +the conduit, where he found present security. It was not his purpose to +reenter the palace, but to follow the pipe to a point where an opening +had, in the gradual decay of the structure, appeared in its side, and +from there make his escape. To do this was not an easy task, for he had +a considerable distance to go, and the pipe being too small to permit +him to rise, he was compelled to proceed in a crawling manner, and, +frequently, to work his way through accumulated obstructions. After +much vexatious toiling he found himself nearing the opening in the +conduit, through which he expected to make his exit. A flood of light, +most welcome, was streaming in through the breach, the sight of which +freshened his flagging energies and relieved the arduousness of his +advance. The goal was finally reached, and just beyond was freedom--to +him, however, a freedom to be gained only under cover of darkness. + +It had been arranged that the prince should remain in the conduit until +night, when, at a preconcerted signal, to be given by his faithful and +trusted attendant, Oza, to assure him that the way was clear, he should +come forth and be conducted to a place of safety. + +The time passed tediously to the anxious fugitive in his close +quarters, and he was beginning to feel the effect of it on his +endurance, when his attention was attracted by a sound not unfamiliar. +A short period of silence ensued, and then followed the signal to quit +the conduit. He was quickly at Oza's side, of whom he inquired: + +"Whither do we go?" + +"To the cottage of Kan, the weaver. Let my master follow his servant," +cautiously replied Oza, moving noiselessly away. + +While Hualcoyotl was waiting in the conduit for night to come to his +relief, a former vassal and ardent adherent of his father's, a weaver +of _nequen_ (maguey cloth) by the name of Kan, who lived on the +outskirts of the city, was seen and consulted with reference to his +safety. The weaver immediately interested himself in the son of his old +master, and proposed that he be brought to his cottage, where he could +remain until a better and safer refuge was found for him. The proposal +was gladly acceded to, and the fugitive, at leaving the conduit, was +conducted to his house, where he was made comfortable and secure for +the time being. + + * * * * * + +The officer who had charge of the expedition to the Tezcucan palace, +with a view to taking Hualcoyotl's life, was greatly chagrined at the +effectual manner in which he was tricked. After exhausting his +ingenuity in futile efforts to find a clue to the prince's mysterious +disappearance, he placed a guard over the palace and returned in haste +to his master, the king, to whom he reported the failure of his +mission, but in such manner as to save his own head, which would no +doubt have been required of him for his incautiousness, had the king +been correctly informed. + +Maxtla became greatly enraged when he learned of the failure of the +expedition and escape of his hated rival. Troops of armed men were +ordered to scour the country in every direction in search of him, and, +in addition, a large reward was offered for his capture, dead or alive. +The hand of a noble lady, and a rich domain to accompany it, was +promised to whoever should take him, regardless of the captor's +previous condition in life. + +The perils to which the prince was being subjected by his powerful +enemy, and the persistent efforts made to destroy him, were becoming +generally known. Among his friends--the Tezcucans, who were deeply +incensed at the unjust treatment of their favorite--a latent hatred of +everything Tepanec was being wrought into a feeling of antagonism, +which was rapidly engendering a spirit of resistance to the relentless +and malicious persecutor. + +"Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad," was assuredly +exemplified in the brief and despotic career of the tyrant Maxtla; for +by his unkingly conduct toward the unoffending Hualcoyotl he was +digging a pit, so to speak, broad and deep, which would engulf not only +himself, but his nation as well, of whose proud capital, the royal city +of Azcapozalco, no vestige would remain to mark the spot whereon it +stood; nor track, nor trace of all the mighty host of those o'er whom +by right he ruled, but only waste and desolated space, on which, to +emphasize a conqueror's hate, it was decreed the slave-man's mart +should be.[5] + + [5] NOTE.--The royal city of Azcapozalco was razed + to the ground, and the wasted territory was henceforth + reserved as the great slave-mart for the nations of + Anahuac.--_Prescott_. + +Some days subsequent to the coming of Hualcoyotl to the weaver's +cottage a band of soldiers appeared in its vicinity. Every house was +being searched, and it was soon learned that he was the object of the +search. Measures were immediately taken to prevent his discovery. + +When two of the soldiers presently entered Kan's place they found him +busily engaged at his work, preparing the fibers of maguey for the +loom, a quantity of which was lying in piles about him. One of the men, +addressing him, said: + +"The soldiers of the king are searching for Hualcoyotl, the fugitive +prince, who is thought to be hiding somewhere in this part of the city. +We are here to look through your cottage, weaver." + +"The soldiers of the king know their duty, and must perform it, though +it will avail them nothing to search my place. Kan, the weaver, has +other business to occupy his time than that of hiding royal +aristocrats, who would take no more account of his life than they would +of an ocelotl's," was the curt and not inapt reply. + +"There is truth in what you say, weaver," returned the soldier. "Small +value is put upon a man's life by them, especially if he is in their +way." + +Without further delay he proceeded, with his companion, to search the +few apartments of the cottage, giving them a thorough examination. + +Kan never worked more diligently than he did while the soldiers were +looking through his place. The fibers of the maguey fairly flew through +his hands, and higher and wider grew the pile of thready stuff at his +left. Although his movements were rapid, he showed no evidence of +disquiet. His countenance wore its customary stern look, and yet, +beneath, there was poignant solicitude for his royal charge. It appears +to have been a characteristic of his people to forget self in their +devotion to others. He took no account of his own personal risk: the +penalty he incurred in harboring the fugitive--a penalty the measure of +which would depend on the caprice of a suspicious and tyrannizing king. + +After a protracted search into all the nooks and secret places about +the weaver's premises, the men returned to the room in which he was +working. This room was quite plain, without recess or other receptacle +where a man might have found concealment. The spokesman looked +critically over it, and said: + +"The fugitive is surely not hiding with you, friend; for we find +nothing of a suspicious character about your house. Sorry we were +obliged to trouble you, but orders must be obeyed." + +"Right, soldier!" returned Kan. "You have performed your duty, and no +harm has been done." + +The weaver spoke with affected carelessness, which he did not feel, for +every moment which the soldiers spent in the room was one of anxiety to +him. + +Casting his eyes over the apartment once more, the soldier said: + +"Since everything with you appears straight and satisfactory, we'll +relieve you of our presence. Good luck to you, weaver." + +"The same to the soldiers of the king," replied Kan, with a supreme +effort at indifference, as the searchers turned to leave his place. + +The party was hardly beyond the curtained doorway when the weaver's +assumed carelessness gave place to cautiousness. + +"Hist! do not stir!" he ejaculated guardedly. Rising, he went to a +small window, a safe point from which to watch the soldiers' movements. +When he was satisfied they would not return, and that all present +danger was past, he went to the pile of selected fibers, which had +grown so rapidly under his supreme efforts while the soldiers were +searching his place, and, lifting them, said: + +"You may rise now from your uncomfortable position. The soldiers seem +to be satisfied with their search of my premises, and are gone." + +The prince rose from the floor, on which he had been lying beneath the +pile of fibers, and, glancing at his greatly disordered apparel, said, +in a soliloquizing manner: + +"Hualcoyotl is indeed fallen. I never expected to reach a state so far +beneath my manhood as this; but, since it is for country and freedom, +submission must be the rule, however humiliating the conditions." +Fixing his eyes on the weaver, he continued: "Your reply to the +soldier, Kan, in which you referred to royal aristocrats and the +indifference usually shown by them for the lives of their subjects, has +taught me a valuable lesson--one that I will not soon forget. It is too +true that rulers are often disposed to hold the lives of their subjects +lightly. Should it be my good fortune to regain my heritage, Kan and +his words, so aptly spoken, shall not be forgotten." + +"I pray, O Prince, that you will believe me. The words were not spoken +out of disrespect, but to mislead the soldier that his search might not +be too close." Spoken humbly and out of fear that he had given offense. +"Kan is only one of many," he continued, "who would delight in serving +and honoring Hualcoyotl as their king." + +"It does not matter, Kan, what prompted the use of the words," replied +the prince, kindly; "they were well said and timely, and you need have +no regrets for having uttered them. At this moment I may be indebted to +them for my liberty, if not my life. But let them pass; I would not +they were unsaid. My escape from detection was narrow, indeed," he went +on; "and due, my faithful friend, to your sagacity alone. I can no +longer consent to your life and home being put in jeopardy on my +account. There is no place in Tezcuco that will furnish me a safe +retreat--my flight must be resumed. I will go into the mountains, in +the direction of Tlascala, where refuge may be found in their +fastnesses until my people are ready to avenge themselves on the +authors of their degradation. If you will find a way, Kan, to inform +Oza that I would see him, you will confer a favor which may be the last +you will have an opportunity to bestow upon your unfortunate guest." +The prince's closing words expressed deep dejection, and Kan hastened +to answer by way of encouragement: + +"May the son of my murdered master be mistaken in that, is the prayer +of Kan. May he live to deliver his people from the power of the hated +Maxtla, and be crowned king in the place of his noble father!" + +"You have my thanks, Kan, for your kind and prayerful words; and, now, +let Oza be summoned and preparations made for my departure to-night." + +Oza came, and on being informed of the prince's purpose, became greatly +worried over it. That he should go off to the mountains alone was not +to be thought of for a moment. He was willing and ready to share his +master's hardships, and insisted on being permitted to do so with so +much earnestness and show of fealty that Hualcoyotl finally consented +that he should, for a few days at least. + +The preparations for their departure were speedily consummated, +including a visit by Oza to the palace; and night, which was to shield +them in their flight, was waited for in patient silence. + +When the hour came for leaving, the prince bade his preserver a kind +good-bye, with promises of future remembrance, and, with Oza for a +companion, went out into the darkness--a fugitive from an unjust +condemnation. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +Off from Lake Tezcuco, in the direction of Tlascala, the country is +rough and mountainous, and, at the time in which our story is laid, was +a wild and woody district. We are not informed as to what nation or +nations then possessed this territory; but, from the fact that it was a +common hunting-ground, and frequently invaded by bands of soldiers, +irrespective of tribal connections, it may be inferred that it was +regarded neutral. Since this phase of the question is best suited to +our purpose, we accept it as the true one. + +Notwithstanding the wildness of the country, it had its denizens, +though few in number and sparsely located. There were narrow, level +stretches of ground-plateaus, found here and there on the range, +sometimes extending for miles around the base of a mountain, or along +the cliffs and crags which abounded. These plateaus, in most cases, +were places of habitation; the men occupying them being of a class who +preferred the life of a free mountaineer to living in the thickly +settled districts. The territory was extensive, and game, consisting of +wild fowl and small animals, was abundant. Herein was the charm which +made a life there one of preference to those who found a home upon it. +The occupation of the inhabitants was, therefore, chiefly that of +hunting; and it may be added, in this connection, that many of the +markets of the valley towns and cities were indebted to them for their +supply of wild meats. + +Some of the more thrifty and accumulative residents cultivated the +plateaus on which they had fixed their habitations. When such was the +case the mountaineer divided his time between farming and hunting; and, +in some instances, a surprising degree of prosperity and comfort was +the result. The better class prided themselves on their hospitality, +and often carried it to a fault, to the truth of which hunters from the +valley, and others who made excursions into the district, were ever +ready to bear witness. + +The most prominent person living in this mountainous region, and one +who will hold a conspicuous place in our narrative, was a man named +Tezcot, who did farming, besides being a most successful hunter. He was +a person of intelligence, and showed in his intercourse with men that +he had been well trained in his youth. He was never heard to refer to +his early life, and all that could be learned of it was, that, for +causes best known to himself, he had cut loose from his people, and, +with his young wife, sought and found a home among the free hunters of +the mountains. + +As the years passed, this man grew in the estimation of his fellow +mountaineers, until his position among them became one of preeminence. +His goodness of heart, integrity of purpose, and excellent judgment +made him a wise counselor. He was, consequently, consulted on all +questions of importance. His advice was invariably good, and his +decisions on questions referred to him for adjustment were always +acquiesced in. As a result, peace and harmony prevailed where confusion +and discord might otherwise have been expected. He was nominally the +hunters' chief, ruling them by the power of his wisdom, integrity, and +kindness. + +Tezcot's dwelling was, comparatively, of a superior character. It was +constructed of stone, and thatched with maguey leaves, and contained +several apartments designed for supplying the needs of a family. +Commodious porches protected its front and rear from the heat of a +tropical sun, and furnished a pleasant retreat in leisure hours for the +inmates. It was, altogether, a very convenient mountain home. + +In addition to the dwelling there were quarters for servants, whom the +mountaineer kept to perform the necessary labor about the place.[6] + + [6] NOTE.--Voluntary servitude obtained among the + Anahuacans, and of this class were those who served with + Tezcot, the hunter. + +The farm work was conducted mostly by an experienced and trusted +vassal, while much of the master's time was spent on the mountains in +pursuit of game. + +Tezcot's household consisted of himself, his wife, and two daughters. +The eldest daughter, who was about eighteen years of age, was a fine +specimen of the Indian maiden, the pride of her immediate friends, and +an object of admiration to all who knew her. She was known among the +denizens of the range as the "Mountain Princess," to which appellation +she was certainly entitled, if personal graces and womanly charms, +together with the prominence of her father, counted in the elemental +forces which fixed upon her a title so expressive of the high esteem in +which she was held. Mitla was the name bestowed upon this nymph of the +hills by her parents, and by which she will hereafter be known. + +The second daughter of the hunter was not so queenly as her sister, +and, being the younger, was looked upon as little more than a child. +Her fifteen years were not sufficient to gain for her the consideration +accorded the "Mountain Princess." Oxletta, or Oxie, as she was called, +was an agreeable and comely appearing girl, and gave promise of +developing into a splendid woman. + +The mother was not an old woman, and still possessed much of the +attractiveness and vivacity which had undoubtedly distinguished her in +the bloom of womanhood. From her the daughters inherited much of the +comeliness which marked them as objects of admiration and esteem. Her +name was Xochitl, signifying wild flower, which evidenced, in its +application, no small degree of loveliness even in the first years of +her life. She was called "Zoei" by her acquaintances, and it fitted her +well, so expressive of affection and gentleness, prominent +characteristics of her disposition. + +The daughters were given all the advantages possible under the isolated +circumstances with which they were surrounded. The father and mother +were fairly well educated, and through their efforts the girls became +proficient in many things. Aside from being instructed in the history +and traditions of their race, they were well trained in domestic +affairs. + +It is said of the Aztec women that they were adepts in the culinary +arts. Their tables, when the occasion required it, we are informed, +were replete with deliciously prepared sauces, confections, and other +delicacies, which would have tempted the most fastidious epicurian +palate; and Zoei, the good wife of the hunter Tezcot, was not an +exception. + +Spinning, embroidery, and featherwork were also considered essential +accomplishments, in which the sisters were thoroughly instructed by +their mother. + +Featherwork was an art of peculiar interest to the Anahuacans, and they +greatly excelled in it. Abundant material for its practice was always +at hand in the beautiful plumage of the myriads of tropical birds: the +parrot, the hummingbird, the pheasant, and many others of the feathered +tribes which might be named, congruous to that latitude and country. + +In addition to her other attainments, Mitla was a fine archer, and was +often to be found on the mountains in pursuit of its practice. + + * * * * * + +It was evening, and the twilight was rapidly verging into night. At +this hour three persons might have been seen wending their way around +the southwestern slope of the mountain at the base of which stood the +dwelling of Tezcot, the hunter. The fast fading light of the departing +day penetrated with its crimson-tinted rays the thickly standing trees, +throwing sombre shadows athwart the pathway of the sojourners, warning +them of the nearness of night. It was evident, from the rapid movement +of the party, that they were not unfamiliar with the rough trail they +trod. They were moving along in single file. In the lead was a man of +large mold, who, though apparently past middle life, was yet in the +prime of manhood. Upon his back was strapped a javelin and bow, with an +accompanying quiver, which, with his general appearance and dress, +distinguished him as a hunter. His companions were following closely +behind him, bearing a heavy burden between them, the end of the pole or +support of the burden resting on a shoulder of each. They were silent +as the noiseless forest through which they moved. Not a sound was heard +save the measured tramp of their feet as they hastened on. Finally +emerging onto the plateau, and seemingly relieved from the sense of +solitude with which the deep silence of the forest had impressed them, +the hunter said: + +"It is a heavy load ye bear, lads; but the end is near, and ye'll soon +be rid of it." + +"Yes, master," said the foremost man; "it is, indeed, a heavy load, and +would try us greatly to go much farther." + +"Think what is ahead of ye yonder: a bracing meal, and, by my life, ye +shall have a refreshing mug of _pulque_[7] to wash it down. D'ye hear?" +returned the hunter, encouragingly. + + [7] NOTE.--An intoxicant, made from the juice of maguey, + pronounced pull-k[=e]--a drink much used by the Mexicans to + this day. + +"Ah, good master, you are very kind," answered the man. + +"If to be mindful of a willing hand is kindness, then be it so, lad," +was the hunter's benignant reply. + +The hunter and his companions were now moving along the border of a +narrow stretch of level ground, which extended far around the mountain. +They suddenly rounded a sharp point which brought into view a dwelling, +from which a faint glimmer of light penetrated the gathering darkness. +The dwelling was the home of Tezcot, and the advancing hunter the +mountaineer himself, accompanied by two servants, returning from a +hunting excursion. + +As the party approached the house, Tezcot saw that a man, who proved to +be a strange hunter, occupied the front porch alone. When near enough +to speak he stopped, his attendants passing on. Addressing the +stranger, he said: + +"Hail, friend! Peace and good-cheer to thee, and welcome to such fare +as may be found in this, my mountain home. I am Tezcot. Who art thou?" + +The stranger arose and, saluting, answered: + +"The gods be with you and yours, most liberal of hosts. Cacami, a +Tezcucan hunter, is he whom the good genii have directed to this +excellent mountain home, where the tired applicant for nourishment and +rest is ever met by generous impulses and unrestrained hospitality." + +Tezcot scanned the stranger with not a little curiosity at hearing his +gracious speech. The language bespoke him more than a mere hunter. He +was a young man, and, from appearances, one enjoying superior +advantages. The mountaineer was very much pleased at hearing words so +eulogistic of himself and his, and could not repress his gratification. +It was his chief pleasure to be reminded that he was generous and +hospitable. He replied: + +"Your speech commends us, friend, and we pray it may be deserved. We +can say of a truth, and not boastingly, that no man ever turned from +Tezcot's door hungry or weary." + +"What you say needs no proof, generous host; it is but an echo of the +voice of those who have eaten of your bread and drank of your excellent +pulque. No man, in or out of the valley, hath in so great a degree the +esteem and good will of the hunters of Anahuac as yourself. With them +Tezcot is counted the prince of hosts, and a chief among men," added +the stranger, warmly. + +"I see, O Tezcucan, whence comes your favorable opinion of us," +returned Tezcot. "A word of praise from our good friends in the valley +is not less pleasing because it comes to us in this way. May the +favorable impressions of us you bring with you not suffer by personal +contact." + +This dialogue was carried on standing, the mountaineer in the meantime +relieving himself of his hunter's outfit. He now suggested that they be +seated, and after being so he turned to his guest and inquired: + +"Is this your first visit to these parts?" + +"To this locality, yes; to the mountains, no. For several years I have +made occasional incursions to the district in pursuit of that charm +which sometimes leads the best of men--as in your own case--to choose +for a home the most solitary scenes," replied the Tezcucan. + +"A wonderful fascination, truly, is found in the life we lead, or how +could we endure its solitude?" answered the mountaineer reflectively; +and again, "You are not one who hunts for profit, I judge?" he added, +interrogatively. + +"No, for pleasure only; still I sometimes sell, or permit my men to do +so, when we secure more game than we want." + +"You are not alone, then?" + +"No; I have two attendants who are being cared for by your servants. +Your good wife has already looked after their comforts." + +"And, be assured, O Tezcucan, that they will suffer no discomfort while +under her care," returned Tezcot, showing his appreciation of his +wife's excellence. He then added: "Referring to them, by the way, +reminds me that others are needing refreshment. Zoei!" he called. + +"Well, Tezcot, what is it?" came back from within. + +"My jacket hangs limp as a dead hare's leg. Haven't ye something to put +under it, eh?" + +"Yes, supper is ready. Bring our guest and come." + +Rising, Tezcot turned to the stranger, and said: + +"Come, friend, you are doubtless as ready as myself to dispatch a good +sized block of well prepared supper. There is nothing like a sharp +appetite and a well loaded board to make a man satisfied with himself +and all the world." + +"A philosophical utterance, certainly," returned the Tezcucan, +following his host into the house. + +The evening meal consisted of maize bread, cold meats of game, fruit, +and chocolate. The hunter's favorite mug of pulque, which he always +relished after a day on the mountains, was in its place near him, while +one was immediately passed to the guest. + +Tezcot was here reminded of his promise to his men, and ordered a glass +of the beverage for each taken to them; then taking his own from the +board, he said: + +"Drink, friend, and let our drinking be a pledge of future good will +between us." + +"Most cheerfully, kind host; and may I not add for myself, your +excellent family as well?" + +The mother smiled and the daughters blushed, while the host and his +guest quaffed their pulque with keen and appreciative gusto. + +"Superb!" exclaimed the Tezcucan. "Your friends do not overestimate the +quality of your pulque, and I shall join their ranks at once." + +"We are glad it pleases you. Your appreciation is our recompense," +returned Tezcot, much gratified. "And, now," he continued, "let us try +some of the substantials." + +The suggestion was equivalent to a command, and all went to eating. + +When the meal was fairly begun, Mitla gathered sufficient courage to +say: + +"Father, tell us about your hunt to-day. From the quantity of game +brought in, good luck must have attended you." + +"Yes, the day was fine, and brought us extra good luck," he answered, +and then paused to indulge his keen appetite for a moment. "Game was +plentiful," he went on, "and we secured quite a bunch. There were some +fine targets for testing an archer's skill, which would have delighted +your heart, child, could you have been with us." + +Mitla was the hunter's favorite, as was Oxie the favorite of her +mother. The father's preference arose from the fact that Mitla, like +himself, loved the mountains and their forest solitudes. + +In reply to her father's reference to herself, she said: + +"How much it would have delighted me, could I have been with you, I can +not express; but you know how dearly I love to use my bow and arrow; +let that speak for me. You often tell me, however, father, that I am +too tender-hearted to engage in hunting." + +"Yes, that's a fact, Mit, and I'm not sorry for it. I would not that ye +were disposed to be cruel, for ye are a woman," he replied, in approval +of her weakness, or, more fittingly, her innate sympathy. + +"Your daughter is a fine archer, I infer?" remarked the Tezcucan +inquiringly, addressing the mountaineer. + +"Her arrow is true--I might say unerring," replied the father proudly. +"And yet few know that she is an archer, at all." + +"My father, you see, is a little extravagant in his praise of my +archery," interrupted Mitla. + +"He, no doubt, has reasons for being so," said Cacami. "It is a +delightful accomplishment, and I'm sure you realize much pleasure from +it. I am not unskilled in the use of the bow, and greatly enjoy its +employment." Turning to the younger sister, he continued: "You, my +young friend--Oxie, I believe, do not engage in its practice?" + +"No, my sister's excellence and my own awkwardness have always +discouraged me, so I have given up trying," she answered a little +ruefully. + +"Oxie, if not an archer, has other accomplishments really more +womanly," spoke the mother, joining in the conversation to defend her +favorite. + +"Your daughters are both, without doubt, worthy of all praise, each for +those accomplishments best suited to her disposition," replied Cacami +with tact, addressing his hostess. + +"Good girls, friend, both of them," interrupted Tezcot, stripping the +meat from the bone of a pheasant; "differently constituted, that's +all." Then abruptly turning the subject, he said: "Have you been +successful, Cacami, in chasing the charm to which you alluded this +evening, the charm which we of the mountains find in pursuing the +hunter's calling?" + +"You may be assured, O Tezcot, that I have no cause for complaint. My +success has always been very satisfactory," replied Cacami; and +continuing, he inquired: "How do you hunters manage to dispose of your +game aside from what you consume?" + +"Take or send it to the nearest market. My men will go in after another +day to dispose of our surplus, which is now quite large," replied the +mountaineer. + +"I brought in a fine lot with me to-night, and as I never carry game +from a worthy host's door, you may consider it a part of your surplus, +which I hope will obviate the necessity of your going to the mountains +to-morrow, thus affording you a day's rest," said Cacami, evidently +bent on meeting the generosity of his host. + +"It requires no such sacrifice, O Cacami, to prove your heartiness of +will. We can not allow it," remonstrated Tezcot. "No, no, my friend, +you must not think of it." + +"I have so decided, good host, and beg that you will allow me to have +my way," returned Cacami respectfully, but in a manner that settled the +question. + +"Well, friend, you seem bent on carrying out your purpose, which we +hope is not prompted by any doubt of the unselfishness of our +hospitality," said the hunter, feeling that his cherished reputation +for generosity was being questioned. + +"Not at all, most hospitable of men. On the contrary, the giving of the +game is intended as a trifling mark of my appreciation of your +unequaled liberality," urged Cacami. "The value of game, to me, is +gone," he continued, "when I have it in hand. It is the pursuit of it, +and not its possession, which brings satisfaction, excepting when I can +dispose of it in the way I propose; then it does become of value, not +intrinsically, but for the pleasure it returns when thus bestowed." + +"You are kind, very kind, Cacami," rejoined the hunter, relenting. "And +since you will have it so, be assured it shall not be lost to you." + +"And why should it be counted lost at all? Does the hospitality of the +great-hearted Tezcot amount to so little? The game is an insignificant +return, I assure you, for the gratification it will afford me to recall +having eaten of your bread and drunken of your pulque," returned Cacami +warmly. + +Supper was here concluded, and, yielding to the Tezcucan's fervency, +Tezcot said: + +"So be it, friend; providing, however, that you remain our guest +another day, and join Mit and me in a short excursion on the mountain." + +"That I will most cheerfully do, and count the day happily spent," +responded Cacami graciously. + + * * * * * + +The majority of the little group we have introduced in this +chapter--the home of the hunter's chief and the adjacent mountains, +will figure extensively in this narrative. With our brief sketch of the +persons presented, we leave the reader to perfect the individuality of +each, forgetting for the moment to what race they belonged. An eminent +mountaineer hunter, a man of noble impulses, proficient in everything +required of him; an excellent wife and mother, who was a worthy +companion to the father of her children; two beautiful maidens, who, +though of directly opposite temperaments, were equally devoted in their +home relations--an exceptional family, together with their Tezcucan +guest, a young man whom the reader, we hope, will find an agreeable +accession to the _personnel_ of our story. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +The laws by which the nations of Anahuac were governed were +comprehensive as well as very severe. Every subject was expected to +have knowledge of them, and the people were, accordingly, instructed in +them by means of hieroglyphical paintings. + +Crimes against society were punished with slavery or death, according +to the magnitude of the offense. Theft and robbery were placed in this +category, and met with the severest punishment. If the accused was +found guilty, his fate was sealed; there was no escape from the +penalty, so rigidly were the laws enforced. + +These conditions, together with the strict surveillance of the military +police, made it hazardous for any one to be abroad at night, unless +adequate reason for it could be made apparent. + +Protected in this thorough manner, the people had no fear of +depredators, and took no precautions against them. No bolts, bars or +other fastenings, as a protection, were to be found on their doors, +when doors were used; in fact, more times than otherwise, only a +curtain shielded the privacy of a home from the outside world. They +felt as secure with an open door as the most enlightened Christian +citizen would amid the highest order of civilization, behind his locks +and bolts, supplemented by the latest improved burglar-alarm. + +We now return to Zelmonco villa. We find it wrapped in deepest silence; +the inmates are lost in the oblivion of sleep; the birds that make glad +its environs under the light of day are perched in confidence and +security on their chosen limb. The hour is that in which Nature wraps +with sleep her children closest 'round about--the midnight hour, silent +and solemn. + +At this unseemly time two shadowy forms steal noiselessly into the park +at the foot of the hill, and pause in an attitude of listening. No +sound is heard, save the beating of a heart by each. After satisfying +themselves that no living thing is astir within their hearing, they +move cautiously up toward the house; and presently, when near its +entrance, pass within the protecting shadow of a thickly foliaged tree +and stop. + + * * * * * + +Before leaving the weaver's cottage, Hualcoyotl had decided to stop at +Zelmonco villa, where he purposed remaining over one day, while Oza +would be sent on to communicate with a good friend--a loyal Tezcucan +who lived a short day's journey toward the mountains--to inform him of +the prince's perilous situation and desire to find shelter and +concealment with him for a few hours. + +The night was not dark, for the stars were shining very brightly, as +they always seem to in the clear sky of that sunny clime. To the +fugitives their luster appeared to be remarkably brilliant, causing +them to shun the roadways for fear of discovery and arrest; as a +consequence, halts and frequent change of course made their progress +slow, and the hour of their arrival at the villa late. + +The reader has, no doubt, guessed who it was that entered Zelmonco park +at midnight, and, passing up to the villa, paused in the shadow of a +tree near its entrance. + +The prince's breathing, when they stopped--for it was he and his +attendant--was somewhat labored. The long and arduous walk from the +city, and the effort required to gain the summit of the hill on which +the villa stood, had severely tested the strength of his wind; which, +from long confinement and inactivity, had become, in some degree, +ennervated. He quickly regained his composure, and, while they yet +stood within the tree's shadow, his thoughts turned upon himself and +his peculiarly discouraging situation. He mentally soliloquized: "Like +a rudderless boat on yonder lake, left to the caprice of the elements, +tossed hither and thither by wind and wave, I am out in the world, a +fugitive, condemned, driven, I know not whither! Oh, would that I could +forecast my destiny and know it, though the worst should be revealed!" +After a moment's pause he continued: "Yet, perhaps, it is better as it +is: The Great Unseen will keep me if there is a purpose in my life!" +Turning to Oza he said, in a subdued voice: + +"There is safety in this house, the home of Euetzin, for a short time, +if we might enter. Stand you here, while I endeavor to secure the +attention of someone." He cautiously advanced to the door, which he +found ajar, and gave two or three raps. No answer being obtained, the +raps were repeated a little louder. + +"Who raps?" suddenly inquired a voice from within. + +"A friend of tzin Euet, who would communicate with Teochma, his +mother," answered the prince, with caution. + +"Stand inside, I will call her," returned the voice, and its owner, as +the prince entered, went to summon his mistress. + +The person who answered the prince's knock was a slave, whose +sleeping-place, for convenience, was near the door. + +In a few minutes the tzin's mother appeared, bearing a lighted taper. +When she saw the muffled figure near the entrance, she paused and +inquired: + +"Who seeks to communicate with Teochma?" + +"One who is a fugitive, with a price upon his life, comes to ask of +Teochma shelter for a short time, until the way is made clear for him +to go on," was answered. + +"Prince Hualcoyotl!" + +"Sh! Have a care, O Teochma; speak not that name so loud, even here, +beneath this friendly roof. Walls do not always confine the voice's +sound, and the winds are treacherous. Should that name be borne to +traitorous ears, and my presence in your house be made known to my +pursuers, desolation would surely come upon it, and distress to those +it shelters." + +The prince had dropped the mantle from about his face, and while he yet +spoke Teochma saw that it was indeed the royal friend of her son. From +custom she was about to offer him obeisance, but he quickly interposed, +and said entreatingly: + +"No, Teochma, do not so. Let the good mother of Euetzin treat as a +servant, rather, him who stands in her presence. When the winds cease +to bear upon their wings the cry of my enslaved and degraded people for +deliverance, which rises hourly from a thousand homes, then, and not +till then, may he to whom you would do honor receive the homage due his +station!" He bowed himself before her in salutation, and continued: +"Thus may it be in this hour, good mother of my friend--and mine, I +could wish, O Teochma!" + +"Rise, my son; it is not fit that you should humble yourself in this +manner. Teochma is grateful for your condescension, and is pleased to +welcome you to a shelter in her home." Hualcoyotl arose, and she +continued: "But come, enter here and be seated," saying which, she +motioned for him to pass to an adjoining room. + +"Give me yet a moment, good Teochma. There is one without, an +attendant, who waits to be called. If it please you, I will bid him +come in." + +"Assuredly, my son, bid him come." + +The door, which the prince had closed, was quietly opened, and Oza +directed to enter. + + * * * * * + +The Anahuacans of the fifteenth century were well skilled in art, both +mechanical and decorative. With tools of bronze, made from an alloy of +tin and copper, they were enabled, by the use of a flinty powder, to +shape the hardest substances into articles of use and adornment. + +Vessels of gold and silver were moulded and fashioned by them, having +upon them representations of birds, animals, flowers, and other +objects; and it is said of their goldsmiths that they could blend the +metals in such a manner as to represent the feathers of a bird or the +scales of a fish, alternately, in gold and silver. + +With their natural fondness for display, and the inexhaustible supply +of material for its indulgence at their command, it is not surprising +that the homes of the nobility and wealthy were gorgeously magnificent +in furnishment, especially in the matter of adornment. And, withal, +though none of the modern appliances for the promotion of elegance and +ease, which now distinguish the mansions of the opulent, were then at +hand, their abodes were not without comfort for the physical man. + +As in this age, a reception, or drawing-room was an indispensable +apartment in the dwellings of the higher classes, and the completeness +of its design and arrangement usually indicated not only the wealth and +position of the owner, but, also, the taste and accomplishments of the +occupants. + +The room into which the prince and his attendant were conducted was a +model apartment of its kind, and deserves from us at least a passing +notice. + +The floor was almost hidden under a profusion of mats and gaily wrought +rugs. Fancy stools and comfortable divans were placed about the room in +a kind of orderly disorder, relieving it from any appearance of disuse +or exclusiveness. Across one corner of the room stood an especially +attractive divan, over which was a glittering canopy, suspended from +the beak of a dead _quanhtli_ (eagle.) From its elevated perch the +bird's appearance was so natural that the first glance at it would +cause the observer to hesitate before taking a seat beneath it. A +second thought, however, would dispel the momentary delusion. Spread +out on this divan was the preserved and decorated skin of a Mexican +tiger-cat. + +The walls were adorned with gorgeous and beautiful hangings, the +scintillating glimmer of the reflected light of the taper upon them, as +they were gently moved by the force of a passing draught of air, +producing a very agreeable effect. + +In every nook and corner were to be seen vases of odorous flowers, and +images of animals or birds. + +On a wall-shelf, at one side of the room, was a peculiarly attractive +pot of flowers, over which, suspended by a thread of gold so fine that +it required a sharp eye to detect it, was poised a golden-hued +hummingbird, apparently about to thrust its prying nib into the +unexplored recesses of a half opened flower just below it. + +In a conspicuous place on the wall was a showy piece of feather-work, +in which was blended the plumage of many birds. There were in it the +changeful hues of the parrot, the brilliant colors of the pheasant, and +others less attractive, all woven into a perfect representation of +beautiful mosaic. + +As the prince took a seat his quick eye observed the exquisite +surroundings; and through it all he saw Teochma's experienced hand. His +mind reverted quickly to other times--his boyhood, and the home where +once ruled a beloved mother, not less accomplished than Teochma. After +a moment's silent contemplation of the apartment and its attractions, +some of which were still familiar to him, he turned to his hostess and +said: + +"The span of years which separate this hour from the past, when--a +joyous, happy boy--I stood within this room, with no visible cloud upon +the bright horizon of my future to warn me of the approaching storm and +subsequent night of sorrow and despair which has followed, seems but a +delusion--a horrible dream, from which I have only this moment +awakened. And yet, O Teochma, my waking may be likened to a lucid +interval in the mind of one crazed by delirium or the confusion of +reason; for soon the gloom of my impending doom will hold and wrap me +about, and this sweet reflection of the happy past be obscured in the +blackness of darkness again." + +He paused, and, taking advantage of the pause, Teochma said: + +"Your presence here at this hour, and the purport of your words, tell +me that you are in trouble. Hualcoyotl the boy is lost in Hualcoyotl +the stately prince; and our love for the former in profound esteem and +respect for the latter. Teochma is your loyal subject and friend; no +assistance which is within her power to render shall be withheld from +you. Speak, good friend, as would my own son Euet, and make your wants +known, that we may serve you." + +"I was sure of your sympathy and assistance, else I had not come this +way. The fidelity of Teochma, and hers, to the cause of the unfortunate +Hualcoyotl is a source of deepest gratitude to him. May the hour come +when he can express his gratitude more fittingly than by weak words!" + +Here followed a narration of as much of his late experience as was +necessary to make his situation known. + +Teochma's sympathies were much excited, and the prince was assured of a +welcome shelter and concealment at the villa for as long a time as he +desired. + +"I can only risk a stop of a few hours," said he; "just long enough for +my attendant to make arrangements for me a few leagues ahead. The +emissaries of Maxtla may yet consider it worth while to pay you a visit +in their search for me. Should they do so, no knowledge of my having +been here at this time must reach them; for they are heartless, and +might cause you serious trouble, if nothing more." + +He turned to Oza, and gave him the necessary instructions regarding +what he was expected to do; and told him to go at once, and perform the +mission quickly as possible. The man cheerfully acquiesced in his +master's plans, and, after partaking of refreshments, set out on his +journey. + +The prince was conducted to an apartment in a retired portion of the +villa, where he soon found forgetfulness in sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +The morning broke over the beautiful Anahuac in loveliness and +splendor. Nature, in all her forms, sent forth anthems of praise to the +Almighty Creator. The forests rang with a medley of happy sounds, which +rose from myriads of living things--the warbling of the inimitable +mockingbird, and the trill and coo of its less melodious neighbors; the +chirp and bark of the frisking little animals, together with the +incessant whir and hum of the insect hosts--a grand chorus of +thanksgiving, spontaneously rendered by an indiscriminate multitude of +God's inferior creatures, all filled with the unalloyed happiness of an +unconsciousness of evil, an unconsciousness which is denied to man, who +is created in the image of his Maker, and endowed with that supreme +attribute, the power to reason. + +Such was the morning, and the waking it brought, of the day which +followed the arrival of Hualcoyotl at Zelmonco villa. + +The summons of a servant awoke the prince to a realization of his +surroundings. Sounds of joy and life fell upon his ear from without, +and stirred his soul with an emotion of sadness. + +"Why should I be so environed," he soliloquized, "while all the rest of +the world are happy and free? No, not all; my people are neither," he +quickly added, as they rose up before his mind's eye in reproval. +"Yet," he further added, "their lot is preferable to mine." + +Shaking off his unhappy feelings, he performed his morning ablutions +and clothed himself preparatory to going into the presence of his +hostess. + +When he appeared at the door of his apartment he found a servant there, +who had been sent to conduct him to the eating-room, where breakfast +was waiting, and, better still, the little girl, now grown to woman's +stature, with whom he had romped and raced the hillsides over a hundred +times in the years of his happy boyhood, also waiting to receive him. +But how different were their positions and circumstances at this +meeting. Not children, but man and woman, stood face to face. + +"Itlza!" exclaimed he, with surprise and admiration depicted on his +countenance and expressed in his voice, advancing toward her at the +same time. + +A momentary confusion came over the maiden, and she stood undecided how +to act. The last time she saw him he was only a youth and she scarcely +more than a child. Now he was a great, strong man, with intellectual +superiority stamped on every feature, and dignity in every motion, +while she had bloomed into a coy and blushing young woman, a sufficient +cause for confusion in one so little acquainted with the world as she. +He saw her embarrassment, and coming close to her, said: + +"Has the little girl I once knew so well, and for whom I held a most +tender regard, but who has now grown away from me, no word of welcome +for her childhood friend?" + +This gave Itlza time to recover, and she began a reply by saying: + +"Our noble prince--" + +"No, no; Itlza! address me not thus," he said, quickly interrupting +her, and speaking earnestly. "I pray you, call me anything but that in +this hour of a renewal of our friendship. I like it not, coming from +your lips." + +"Hualcoyotl, then, if it please you," she replied, smiling at his +earnestness. + +"That is better, for it has in it the echo of a friendship I do not +forget," said he, interrupting her again; "a friendship, the memory of +which is very dear to me." + +"You are very good, not to have forgotten your little friend after so +long a time," she replied. "Since I realize the change which has come +to both of us, it seems like a dream to have known you. Hualcoyotl, who +stands before me now, is not the Hualcoyotl I remember; he was only a +boy. When I saw you enter, confusion came upon me; I knew not whether I +should salute you as our prince, or greet you as an old friend." + +She had recovered her composure, and spoke with ease. + +"Your surprise was not greater than my own when I beheld, not my little +girl friend of other years, but a pretty young woman waiting to receive +me," was his gallant reply. + +"There, now, don't let the breakfast spoil because of too many fine +words. Come, sit you down, my son; and you, my daughter, order the +chocolate," said the mother, not at all displeased at the gallantry +shown her child by the distinguished guest. + +"Yes, mother," returned Itlza, going to execute the command, at the +same time looking very happy. + +The eyes of the prince followed her admiringly as she left the room, +and he remarked: + +"The years have, indeed, wrought changes in us all, but in Itlza the +greater. She has grown into an admirable woman." + +"Yes," replied the gratified mother. "She has changed much in the last +few years." + +The return to the room, at this moment, of the object of their remarks, +cut off further allusion to her. She took her seat at the board, and, +after customary formalities, the morning repast was begun. + +The prince had made no reference to his friend, the tzin; but was, +nevertheless, much concerned about him, and, without further delay, +inquired: + +"Teochma, I would hear something of Euetzin. Have you any knowledge of +his whereabouts?" + +"Not of a certainty. He expected to be in Tlacopan about this time, if +nothing should occur to occasion delay." + +"I wish that I might see him; but driven, as I am, to hasten on, I can +not hope to be so fortunate." After a short pause he continued: "How +long did he stop with you on his way out?" + +"Only one evening--a brief stay, indeed; too brief to satisfy a +mother's heart," answered Teochma. + +"Yes, the time, no doubt, seemed very short to you," returned +Hualcoyotl, "but the errand on which he has gone is of too great +importance to admit of delay, and no one realizes it more than he." + +"We do not underrate his mission, noble friend, yet feel our +deprivation none the less," replied the mother. + +"I believe you, good Teochma; and, be assured, if our cause is +triumphant, the reward shall be commensurate." + +"Why should a reward be looked for by anyone in a revolt against +Tepanec oppression, save the deliverance of our people? The hope of +freedom for Tezcuco, and the privilege of helping to gain it, ought to +be a sufficient reward, and I am sure it would be for my brother Euet," +said Itlza with a fervency which was a surprise to the prince. He +looked at her well pleased, and said: + +"You are a true and loyal daughter of Tezcuco, Itlza, and I thank you +for your patriotic words. They are as pure gold, and could only emanate +from the heart of a child of Zelmozin and Teochma." As he spoke the +prince's eyes were fixed upon her with an expression of admiration and +deep sincerity. + +"Hualcoyotl gives me entirely too much credit for my bit of enthusiasm. +It is not deserving of so much praise as he has seen fit to bestow upon +it," replied she, somewhat confused by the earnestness of his language. + +"Your feelings, which prompt you to depreciate the very laudable +sentiment which you so forcibly expressed, and of which I could not +withhold my approval, are only natural; they could not be otherwise, +yet do not alter the case. I am glad the words were spoken in my +presence, and I shall remember them because they were yours," he +gallantly responded. + +The prince was deeply and favorably impressed with the artlessness and +womanly bearing of his young friend, and had circumstances permitted +him to follow the lead of the thoughts which at that moment filled his +mind he would certainly have studied to win her love. The affections +which held the heart of the boy for the little girl had not died out. +His hungry heart was quickly ablaze from the smouldering spark when +fanned by the coy and winsome smile of Itlza, but he would not, then, +situated as he was, build on a hope which in all probability could +never be realized; still, he made a mental resolve, should fortune +favor his cause, to claim the charming Itlza for his queen. + +In the conversation which followed, the prince appreciating the danger +which menaced his peace of mind, and which he felt was already yielding +to the subtle influence of Itlza's presence, gave his attention more +closely to Teochma. The topics of conversation varied, but finally +reverted to the tzin. As they arose from their seats at the conclusion +of breakfast, the prince said: + +"I have faith in your noble son, good Teochma, and believe he will yet +occupy a high place among the warriors of his people. Considering him a +born leader of men, I have entrusted my future interests to his hands +with a perfect confidence. If he should fail, it will be because he has +undertaken an impossibility. But, Teochma, good mother of my friend, do +not be discouraged; he will not fail." + +"Your faith in my son is very gratifying. We will hope, with you, for +the best," she replied. + +The prince retired to his room, where he sat long, meditating on the +possibilities of the future; and as the panoramic pages of fantasy +passed athwart his brain, a picture not unlike the laughing face of +Itlza beamed upon him from everyone. + +The day passed in solitude to him. He would not risk exposure, and, +therefore, remained in close seclusion. + +Night and darkness came at last, and soon after Oza made his +appearance. + +At an early hour the fugitives took their departure from the villa. + +When about to leave, the prince said, as a further encouragement to his +friends: + +"Have courage, good Teochma." Then turning to Itlza, he continued with +a fervency he did not try to conceal: "And you, my boyhood's sweet +child friend, continue faithful to the cause for which, in golden +words, you have proven your devotion." + +Addressing both, he spoke hopefully: "The darkness of the night is but +the obscurance of the sun, the giver of light; so the darkness of this +hour in our country's enthrallment, let us hope, but precedes the dawn +of a bright and glorious day for her. Farewell, dear friends. May the +gods of our fathers shield and keep you!" + +He turned away, and a moment later was gone. + +The mother and daughter were again alone; and thus we leave them to +contemplate, in sad silence, the rapidly changing conditions of their +lives. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +The close and intimate relation of tutor and pupil, which was sustained +between Itzalmo and Hualcoyotl for so long a period, gives the +character of the former a certain degree of prominence. We, therefore, +at this point, return to the Tezcucan palace to follow for a brief time +the fortunes, or more fittingly the misfortunes, of the old servitor. + +By reason of the peculiar and unfortunate circumstances which +surrounded him, the old preceptor was brought under the malicious +displeasure of the king, and caused to suffer for his fidelity to his +young master. Before entering on an account of what befell him, a few +preliminary references will be necessary. + +The king's officer, after reporting the failure of the expedition sent +out to destroy Hualcoyotl, returned to Tezcuco and established himself +in the palace with a view to prosecuting the search for him. + +The attendants of the prince's limited household were not disturbed, +except being required to serve the officer and his men. + +Itzalmo retired to his apartment, out of which he was seldom seen. + +The idea that the prince was concealed somewhere in the palace was soon +abandoned, and for a few days nothing occurred to cause commotion or +interrupt the quiet of the place. Thus matters stood, when one morning +a soldier accidentally came upon the secret door through which the +prince made his escape. The discovery was reported to the officer, who, +after making a thorough investigation, in turn reported it to the king. + +The officer, in advising the king of the discovery, also reported +Itzalmo as, in his opinion, having knowledge of the prince's +whereabouts. Maxtla instructed him to question the old man with a view +to gaining such information as would lead to the capture of the +fugitive. If he refused to impart the desired information, the officer +was ordered to bring him before his majesty. + +Itzalmo was kept posted with reference to the prince's movements, and +was aware of his having gone to seek refuge in the mountains. He was +sorely troubled because of the perils to which his _protégé_ would be +exposed, and he no longer at hand to advise and assist him. No thought +of impending danger to himself had entered his mind. His concern for +his young master had caused him to entirely overlook such a +contingency. + +It was about noon of the day following that on which Hualcoyotl left +the weaver's cottage that the old Tezcucan received a summons to appear +before the king's officer. He was at once aroused to a realization of +the fact that peril might be threatening him. The impression that such +was the case came with so much force that he hesitated for a moment, in +indecision, as to what course he should pursue. It was only for a +moment, for, on second thought, he decided to answer the summons, but +did so with the gravest apprehension. When he entered the officer's +presence, that individual said: + +"You are Itzalmo, Prince Hualcoyotl's instructor and adviser, are you +not?" + +"I have been, for many years, the prince's preceptor," he replied. + +"You have been more than a preceptor to him; you have not only taught, +but directed him by your counsel, and have at all times stood sentinel +over his person. It was you who effected his escape, thus placing +yourself in opposition to the king, in defiance of his authority. +Further than this, I am of opinion that you know where he is concealed, +and have so reported to the king. The secret of his sudden +disappearance is at last in our possession. The hidden door through +which he quit the palace has been disclosed, and the concealed +passageway explored, leaving no doubt as to how he eluded us. As yours +was the directing hand, we advise you to secure immunity from the +penalty of your conduct by revealing to the king the prince's hiding +place. By doing so you will remain undisturbed in your present +quarters; otherwise, the orders are to take you before the king." + +"If such are your orders, your duty is plain; perform it. I am in your +power," was Itzalmo's calm reply. + +"You refuse to impart the information, do you?" questioned the officer. + +"You are answered, for you have said it." + +"Such being your decision, you will get ready to accompany me to the +king's palace at once. Here, soldier," he called to one of his men, +"attend Itzalmo to his apartment, and when he is ready, return with him +to this room. Do not tarry, old man," said he, again addressing +Itzalmo. "There is no time to lose, for the day is already more than +half gone." + +Guarded by the soldier, Itzalmo went to his room, where he made a +hurried preparation to go to Azcapozalco, before the king. When he was +ready he was reconducted to the officer's presence, and after a short +delay placed in charge of two men, who, with him between them, followed +the officer from the palace. + +The distance from Tezcuco to the Tepanec capital was not great, and +yet, to a pedestrian, quite a journey. While to the soldiers it was +only pastime to travel it, to Itzalmo, who was unaccustomed to walking, +it was long and tiresome. + +The day was well spent when the party set out, and only a few leagues +were covered when darkness overtook them. The officer was not disposed +to do any traveling after night came on, so on coming to a station +where persons going to and from the capital were wont to stop, he put +up. This was a great relief to Itzalmo, for it divided the journey and +gave him a full night's rest. + +They were on the road again at an early hour the next morning, and +arrived at their destination late in the afternoon, after a hard day's +travel. On arriving at the palace grounds, the officer led the way +through a spacious court into the building, going directly to the +audience hall, which was found closed, the king and his council having +retired. + +A messenger was dispatched to inform the king of the arrival from +Tezcuco of the officer with Itzalmo. + +Maxtla was found in his private apartments, walking back and forth +across the floor in a disturbed and agitated state of mind. It might +well have been said of him: "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." +He was beginning to realize that his course would prove disastrous to +his authority should he fail in his designs upon the life of his rival. +He was angered to the verge of desperation by the humiliation and +chagrin he felt in consequence of the failure of all his attempts to +destroy the prince. The good Itzalmo had, indeed, fallen under +calamitous circumstances, and could expect only the direst consequences +because of his loyalty to his royal pupil. + +The king's slaves were near at hand, listening for his slightest +command, ready to execute it instantly. + +The messenger was announced, and, on coming into the presence of his +master, prostrated himself before him, at the same time delivering the +message. + +"Arise," said Maxtla, "and return; say that the king will attend." + +The messenger withdrew, and the king, after summoning his council, +followed. He entered the audience hall, and ascended to his seat on the +throne. A moment later his advisers filed in, and took their accustomed +places about him. Itzalmo's official conductor now advanced before the +throne, and, making his obeisance, said: + +"The orders of the king, with reference to the old instructor of the +Tezcucan prince, have been obeyed. He has refused to impart to your +servant the information asked for, and has been brought here to appear +before your majesty. What is my master's pleasure, concerning him?" + +"We would question the old Tezcucan. You will present him before us." + +When Itzalmo's official conductor went forward to learn the king's +pleasure with reference to the disposal of his charge he left him in +care of the two soldiers. While awaiting the officer's return the tired +prisoner was permitted to sit down. The journey had left its impress of +weariness upon him, and even a moment off his feet was a welcome +relief. + +The old man entertained no hope of clemency, for it was not in his +nature to be else than loyal to his young master, which would bring +upon him the infliction of a most terrible doom--a death of purposely +protracted agony. Yet, as he sat there dumb and motionless, he +presented a perfect picture of stoicism. If a thought in anticipation +of his impending fate disturbed his mind he did not show it. Such a +mind as his, however, could not possibly avoid dwelling upon the +possibilities of the hour; and it naturally followed that, under the +exhibition of supreme indifference which he presented, there was an +active intelligence present, the run of which no move or sign attested. + +The officer presently returned, and Itzalmo was told to arise and +follow. A few steps brought him to the throne, where he was presented +before the king and his council. He appeared haggard and worn, yet his +bearing was firm and dignified. He did not forget his duty as a +subject, though an unwilling one, but saluted the king in the usual +manner. + +Maxtla bade him rise, and said: + +"We are told that you are Itzalmo, the person who has been tutor and +counselor to the prince of Tezcuco. Are we correctly informed?" + +"Itzalmo is before the king. He has been the preceptor and servant of +Hualcoyotl, the prince," he answered, decorously. + +"We know what your relation to the prince has been, and think you have +served him well," replied Maxtla, rather mildly for him. He had an +object, however, in dealing thus with his prisoner. "We also have +reason to believe that his present place of concealment is known to +you," he continued. "Your presence here is by our order, and the +council's approval. We would obtain from you information which will +lead to the royal fugitive's apprehension. Will you give it?" he +concluded, a little more firmly. + +"I am before your majesty because your officer failed to gain the +information you want. Itzalmo is not a woman. Let that suffice for his +answer," he replied fearlessly. + +"You will give us the information we want, or suffer the consequence of +your obstinacy," returned the king, his anger rising. "Your hand, old +man, has been the one to defeat, in every instance, the efforts made to +destroy the disturber of our peace. You have forfeited our clemency; +yet if you will tell us where the prince may be found, your life shall +be spared; you shall go free, and have great riches beside. Will you +speak the words which shall give you life, liberty, and wealth, or will +you persist in being obstinate, and bring upon yourself the +consequences of your treasonable conduct?" + +"Maxtla is a mighty king; Itzalmo an old man, whose life is of little +account to anyone, least of all to himself. Was his life a thousand +times more valuable than it is, it would yet be as many times too small +a price to purchase that which you ask. Itzalmo has lived true to his +prince, and will die as he has lived. Let Maxtla do his worst; I have +spoken," was the heroic reply of the old Tezcucan. + +"You forget, old man, in whose presence you are, and to whom you speak. +Know you, that a word from us would consign you to the sacrifice? Have +a care, or your age may not save you," said the tyrant, his face +darkening with suppressed passion. He paused and looked with an angry +scowl upon the brave and silent man before him. "Hark you, Itzalmo," he +continued, "and mark well what I say; if you give us not the +information we have asked for, it is our decree that you shall starve; +yes, rot, in the lowest and foulest dungeon at our disposal. For the +last time I ask, will you divulge the prince's hiding place?" The +rising wrath of the tyrant was fearful to behold, and would have shaken +the firmness of a less courageous man than Itzalmo; but his answer was +in keeping with his character. + +"The threats of Maxtla are to Itzalmo as the play of the idle winds," +said he. "The king may kill, but he can not force Itzalmo to turn +traitor to his prince. Clemency I do not expect, but death. I am done." + +"Take the insolent traitor hence, and put him where the light of the +sun will never reach him. There let him die the death, if he will, inch +by inch. Away with him ere in our wrath we strike him dead," fairly +roared the infuriated and disappointed despot. + +Itzalmo was half dragged from the presence of the king and his council, +out of the audience chamber, and down a massive stairway to a wide hall +below; thence back to a narrow, paved court at the rear of the palace. +A flight of stairs led from this court to a hallway below, which ran +far back under the building. The old Tezcucan was hurried down these +stairs and along the hall to another stairway, which led still lower +down to a subterranean passage. Here a light was obtained, and the +party descended. When the passageway was gained, a turn to the left was +made, and directly another. They went quite a distance before changing +their course again, when they entered a narrow avenue leading to the +right, at the end of which were located a number of dungeon cells. Into +one of these Itzalmo was thrust, and informed that nothing but death or +a compliance with the king's demands would deliver him from it. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +The prince left Zelmonco villa with an added weight to the gloom which +burdened his soul and saddened immeasurably his heart. A new feeling +possessed him--a feeling which had been awakened by the charm of a +contact with the object of his boyhood's affections. It seemed to have +suddenly become a part of his being, arousing within him almost a sense +of bitterness at his unhappy lot. His good sense, however, came to his +support. While the sentiment which had aroused the disturbing feelings +that oppressed him was not adverse to his sensibilities, but, on the +contrary, one that he would have gladly encouraged; still, to yield to +it at such a time, he felt, was unworthy of his manhood. He accordingly +set his face toward the mountains, and turned his back upon the +attractions which lured him from his purpose, and went forward to +achieve the object for which he had started out--the present security +of his person and life, and the ultimate liberation of his people. + +It was several leagues from the villa to the home of the loyal +Tezcucan; yet, under ordinary circumstances, the distance could have +been covered easily before morning, with time to spare; for the natives +were a people who traveled very rapidly when the occasion required it. +But the prince was a fugitive, fleeing from the emissaries of his +relentless foe, and had to be continually on his guard against +surprise. As a consequence his progress was greatly impeded, and +daylight found him still on the road. However, he was not discovered, +and his journey of the night finally ended in safety. + +By lying over through one day, and traveling one more night, the +fugitives would arrive at a point where discovery by recognition was +considered a very remote probability. This being the case, the balance +of the journey could then be pursued by daylight with little fear of +detection. Accordingly the prince and his companion rested and +refreshed themselves at the house of the former's friend, until +evening, when their journey was resumed. + +Another night on the road was gone through, which carried them well on +their way toward the mountains. At the approach of the morning's dawn a +secluded spot off from the highway was looked for, where a few hours' +sleep could be had without fear of molestation. Such a spot was found, +and the tired and travel-worn sojourners gave themselves over to +recuperation in the forgetfulness of slumber. + +The sun was well up toward the meridian when they awoke from a +refreshing sleep and resumed their journey. + +At the end of a league or more they came to a small hamlet where +much-needed refreshments were procured. Being greatly invigorated by +having partaken of a substantial meal, they proceeded on their way with +increased confidence. + +Several leagues were covered without interruption, and the wayfarers +were beginning to feel quite free from anxiety, when, about the third +or fourth hour of the afternoon, their fancied security was disturbed +and grave apprehension aroused by the appearance, in front of them, of +a party of six Tepanec soldiers. They were near a bend in the road, and +the approach of the soldiers was not observed until too late to avoid +meeting them by turning aside. To have done this after being seen would +have aroused suspicion in the minds of the advancing troop, and caused +the immediate detention and possible recognition of the fugitives. +Their only safety, under the circumstances, lay in going +straightforward and taking the chances of discovery. When they came +face to face with the soldiers, great was the prince's surprise and +perturbation at recognizing in a member of the band one of his guests +of the day on which he fled the palace. Should he be recognized he +could scarcely hope to escape, as the only, means of defense he carried +was a stout walking-stick, while Oza did not have even a stick. He +realized fully the peril of the moment, and felt it to be more critical +than any he had been called upon to pass through. Walking boldly +forward, he passed the soldiers. That strange sense of uneasiness and +uncertainty which is produced by the mingling of hope and +apprehension--a feeling often experienced by those who are on the +border between danger and safety, was upon him. + +"Halt!" came the stern command which broke the spell, and caused him to +look back. "You are the one addressed," continued one of the soldiers, +who appeared to be the leader of the band, in answer to the prince's +inquiring look. + +"From whom comes the authority for halting a traveler thus on the +highway?" demanded the prince, in return. + +"That, you shall quickly learn," answered the soldier. "From Maxtla, +the king, comes the authority for halting you. You are the fugitive +prince, Hualcoyotl, whom we have orders to secure, dead or alive. I now +command you, in the king's name, to surrender. If you are not Prince +Hualcoyotl, you will be quickly restored to liberty." + +"What reason have you for supposing that you now address the person of +Prince Hualcoyotl?" inquired he. + +"This man," said the soldier, pointing to the one previously recognized +by the prince, "is my informant. He saw you at your palace, he says, +the day you escaped from the king's officer." + +"He is mistaken," returned the prince. "I am a chief, going on +important business. You will do well not to detain me." + +As he said this, Hualcoyotl turned to move on. + +"Halt! or we will make your body a target for our arrows," called the +soldier, imperatively, and his men brought their bows to place, to +carry the threat into execution. At the same time the speaker advanced +in the direction of the prince. + +"Stop, soldier!" exclaimed Hualcoyotl, in a voice of command which +caused the warrior to pause. "Advance farther at your peril," he +continued, swinging his heavy stick into position to defend himself. +"The life of him who approaches me with evil intent shall pay the +penalty of his temerity." + +"You can not escape us, Prince Hualcoyotl. The orders are to secure +you, and you will have to yield," said the soldier. + +"Never! except by force. If you want me, take me," was the prince's +defiant answer. + +"Then take you we will; alive if we can, dead if we must. Forward, +men!" Two of the soldiers gave their attention to Oza, while the other +four advanced quickly but cautiously upon the prince. A determined +effort was made to get in on him, but without avail. + +Hualcoyotl was a strong man, vigorous and skillful, and being +forewarned was not to be taken without a desperate struggle. The stout +stick in his trained hand was a weapon to be feared. He succeeded in +beating off his assailants, and stood eyeing them like a fierce animal +at bay, grim and defiant. + +Oza was quickly secured by the two soldiers, who now came to the +assistance of their comrades. Another advance was made upon the prince, +the soldiers approaching him from every point. He met them with heavy, +telling blows, and one of their number went down under his stick to +rise no more. It was a fiercely contested struggle, and had the stick +in the prince's hand been a more formidable weapon the soldiers would +have found in him more than a match. But skill, backed by only a heavy +walking stick, though wielded by a strong right arm, could not long +hold out against such odds. He saw that he would be compelled to yield, +and was about to do so, when, to his great astonishment, and the +amazement of his assailants, a shout rang out upon the air at their +very ears, which staggered the soldiers for the moment with confusion. +Before they could recover they were attacked with the deadly Indian +sword, the _maquahuitl_, in the hands of one who evidently knew how to +use it. The struggle was quickly terminated. The suddenness of the +onslaught, and its fatal result to two of the party, who were placed +_hors de combat_, filled the survivors with consternation, which caused +them to seek safety in flight. A number of arrows were sent after them +by the newcomer, which had the effect of facilitating their departure, +and they were soon out of sight. + +Oza was quickly released from his uncomfortable predicament, and found +to have received no personal injury. + +Saluting his rescuer in a very humble manner, the prince said: + +"To whom are we indebted for our happy deliverance?" + +"To a hunter, only," replied the newcomer, who was none other than our +recent acquaintance, Cacami, the Tezcucan hunter, whom we left enjoying +the hospitality of the mountaineer, Tezcot, and who was now _en route_ +home. "Seeing you unfairly set upon by a troop of villainous Tepanec +soldiers," he went on, "I thought I'd take a hand, and see how quickly +fled the cowardly pack, except these three--" He paused to examine the +fallen soldiers, to learn what was their condition, and then continued, +"who, I fear, are past the aid of man." + +"Your coming, friend, was most timely; a moment later and we would have +been in their power," said the prince. + +"That was about the situation, stranger, as I saw it," returned the +hunter. + +"You have done us a very great service, and I regret that we are unable +to suitably reward you. Words will not do it, which leaves us poor, +indeed, at this moment. An expression of our deep gratitude is all we +have to offer you. Inadequate as it is, it is sincere," spoke the +prince, feelingly. + +"There is nothing to reward, friend, nor is there any call for an +expression of gratitude. What I did for you I would do for another, +under the same circumstances," replied Cacami, who was disposed to +depreciate the service he had rendered the prince. + +"And yet you would be justified in pronouncing us ungrateful were we +silent and unfeeling in the matter," said Hualcoyotl. + +"I only did my duty, stranger; that's all. So, say no more about it," +persisted the hunter. + +"You will at least give us your name," urged the prince. "We would be +glad to know and remember it." + +Cacami looked at the dead soldiers, two of them victims of his own +sword; and realizing the magnitude of his offence against the king, +decided not to make himself known. He said, very courteously, in reply +to the prince: + +"I do not doubt your gratitude, friend, for the service rendered you. +It was done impulsively, and with unfortunate result to two of these +men, lying here, dead, almost at our feet. I would not be remembered +for such service, and beg that you will permit me to pass on unknown." + +"We will not press you, hunter, but deeply regret that your feelings +lead you to withhold your name. You have done a greater service than +you can at present be aware of," pursued the prince in tones which +conveyed an impression of mystery. "Should you become known to us, we +will, if in our power, reward you for it in a fitting manner." + +Cacami looked wonderingly at the prince, because of the hidden +significance which was evident in his remark. He was, apparently, on +the point of putting an inquiry, but suddenly changed his mind, +answering only by a look of depreciation. + +The prince, casting his eyes in the direction taken by the retreating +soldiers, continued, by saying: + +"Our assailants may return with assistance; I think we had better be +gone. In parting from you, hunter, we would once more express our +gratitude, with a hope that we may meet again, under more auspicious +circumstances." + +"All right, stranger; I join you in the hope, but have no doubt that +this little incident will have been forgotten then," returned Cacami. + +"No, that could not be; at least, not by one of us." + +With these words the prince turned away, and moved rapidly down the +road, followed by his attendant. + +Cacami's appearance and outfit bespoke him the citizen hunter. The +Indian sword (_maquahuitl_) he carried marked him as such, for hunters, +as a class, did not carry that weapon, on account of its weight. He was +undoubtedly a successful hunter if the game secured was taken into +account. Standing some distance off from where he was were two men who +proved to be his servants. They had charge of a fine collection of +birds and small animals, which he had secured since leaving Tezcot's. +The men appeared to be awaiting orders from him; for on being signaled +to move up they did so promptly. + +The dead soldiers were moved to one side of the road by Cacami and his +men, and left there to be disposed of by others, or, possibly, to +become prey for carnivorous birds and beasts. + +So soon as the prince and Oza got beyond the bend in the highway and +out of view, they betook themselves to the fields and woods for better +protection. Hualcoyotl's confidence in his security was gone, and he +again became the anxious and watchful fugitive. + +The mountains, in which refuge and safety were sought, were finally +reached. In a fastness among the rocks the prince found a fairly +comfortable retreat, and preparations were made for a temporary sojourn +in it. + +The soldiers who escaped the deadly sword of the hunter, instead of +returning to look after their unfortunate companions, hurried to the +nearest point and reported their adventure to the military. + +This was the first information received by the Tepanec authorities of +the prince's whereabouts. Troops were dispatched immediately in the +direction of the mountains in pursuit of him, and his place of +concealment soon became menaced by straggling bands of them, making the +matter of procuring food a very serious one. It was hardly safe for the +fugitives to venture out on the mountain, leaving out of the question +the idea of going from it. For days they had nothing to eat except +roots and berries; as a consequence, their situation became very +distressing. + +The prince insisted that Oza should return to Tezcuco, and leave him to +his fate, but the faithful slave would not hear to it. + +"Why sacrifice two lives, Oza, when one may be saved?" urged he. + +"It is useless to urge me, good master; I would be a base coward to +leave you now," was the loyal answer. + +"As you please, but remember you are free to go whenever you so +desire," said the generous prince. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +The mission which tzin Euet had undertaken to perform was essentially +one of secrecy. The fact that he was little known outside of Tezcuco +was greatly to his advantage, making it unnecessary for him to lay +aside his personality. He assumed the character of a trader prospecting +for future business. His primary object was to obtain certain +information which he could not secure except by contact with his fellow +Tezcucans, and then only through their confidence, which he was very +successful in gaining. + +The tzin was a young man of superior natural resources, and, being of +an agreeable and affable disposition, his efforts were rewarded in a +very satisfactory degree. He found the thoughtful men of his tribe, +outside of Tezcuco, ready to talk sedition to anyone whom they could +trust; and, as the sum of the tyrant's inhumanity grew in proportion +with the passing of every sun, their language became more pronounced. + +The young agitator quickly came to the conclusion that the times were +almost ripe for insurrection, and decided to proceed at an early day to +practical measures--which meant the organization of an army of +resistance. + +The attempted assassination of Hualcoyotl at his palace, and his sudden +and mysterious disappearance, followed by the issuing of the king's +proclamation, making him an outlaw with a price upon his life, when +brought to the tzin's notice, caused him the deepest anxiety. +Realizing, however, that his presence would be of no advantage to the +fugitive, even could he reach him, he continued to prosecute his +mission, holding, at all times, an open ear for further information +regarding him. He obtained no additional intelligence of his friend, +meanwhile, which worried him considerably; so much, indeed, that he +decided, on arriving at Tlacopan, to return to Tezcuco in quest of it. +He set out accordingly, and later on we find him at a small village +within a short day's journey of his destination, where he has just +entered a hostelry with a view to procuring supper and a night's +lodging. On entering the hostelry he cast his eyes about him, as a +person will at entering a public place, especially if a strange one. +They fell upon a young man whose appearance was that of a hunter, and, +for some undefinable cause--a congeniality of spirit possibly--which +under peculiar conditions draws one person unconsciously toward +another--his attention was instantly attracted to him. The young man +was, seemingly, weary; for at the moment in which the tzin entered he +was more sleeping than waking. He was disturbed by the look which was +fixed upon him, and raised his eyes, revealing to us again the now +familiar countenance of the hunter Cacami, who only a few hours before +had saved, unawares, the life of the fugitive prince. An expression of +inquiry came over his face, as much as to say: "Did you speak?" + +Euetzin moved near to where he sat, and addressed him. + +Cacami straightened himself up, and a conversation was opened. + +Following a few incidental remarks, the tzin said: + +"You appear to be a stranger here, like myself." + +"Yes, I am; entirely so. My home is more than a day's journey from this +place," replied Cacami. + +"If I read you correctly, you are a Tezcucan," continued the tzin. + +"If a man at this time may make such a claim, yes. I live with my +father, who resides about two leagues north of the city of Tezcuco." + +"Are you going to or from home?" inquired the tzin, hoping it might be +the former, in which case he would have a companion for the rest of his +journey. + +"I am homeward bound, and have only stopped for the night, intending to +go on in the morning." + +"I am glad to hear you say that," replied the tzin, his face +brightening. "My destination is Tezcuco, or near there," he continued, +"and it would please me much to be permitted to join you for the +remainder of my journey." + +"Nothing would suit me better; so let us consider it settled that we +will travel together," replied Cacami, well pleased. + +"I find it very solitary traveling alone," pursued the inexperienced +tzin. "A good companion is appreciable when one is on the road." + +"Yes, that is true; and yet I have learned that a person may become +accustomed to traveling unattended." + +"You have the appearance of being a hunter; is that your occupation?" +inquired Euetzin. + +"Not exactly. I am what you might call a citizen hunter. I do not hunt +with the object of gain. My father is a wealthy farmer and trader; +consequently there is no hurry for me to choose an occupation. Being +inclined to the chase, I devote a part of my time in its pursuit." + +"You would make a fine soldier," remarked the tzin, his thoughts +reverting to the subject in which he was immediately interested. "Have +you never thought of the warrior's calling as being especially suitable +for a man of your superior physique?" + +"Yes, I have thought of it," replied Cacami, at the same time looking +searchingly at his questioner. "And should the future bring the +opportunity which would make it agreeable for me to do so, I may adopt +the calling. I would not be a soldier of the ranks, however, for I +could not endure the drudgery of such a life. I engage in the practice +of arms a great deal, and delight in the pursuit." + +"Then you are, no doubt, well skilled in using them." + +"Yes, especially in handling the javelin. I have given that arm much +study, and think I may claim to be fairly good at throwing it. The bow +and maquahuitl are not strange to me; I can use them when it is +necessary," he replied, showing confidence in his skill. + +The conversation was here interrupted by the announcement of supper, +and was not again renewed during the evening. + + * * * * * + +The morning succeeding the evening on which Euetzin and Cacami met in +the public apartment of the hostelry was an auspicious one for the +young men, promising them an enjoyable day's journey together. At a +seasonable hour they took the road for Tezcuco, and stimulated by a +delicious and bracing atmosphere, fairly bounded over the ground as +they passed from the village into the open country. Notwithstanding the +invigorating effect of the pure morning air upon them, they were not +very communicative when first starting out. They had not yet awakened +to an appreciation of the life and beauty which lay before them. + +The country through which the travelers had to pass was grandly +beautiful and picturesque, impressing the reflective beholder with a +sublime conception of Nature's enchanting handiwork. + +To the left of them, stretching away in the distance, were the placid +waters of lake Tezcuco, on the unruffled bosom of which, here and +there, floated the garden and home of some ingenious Aztec, the like of +which a century later presented a scene of astonishment and wonder to +the Spanish conquerors. To their right, gently rising toward the +ascending sun, swept a view of incomparable loveliness--a view which +was then unsullied by the touch of vandal hands; now, alas! marred and +scarred by the march and tread of a rapacious and unappreciative +civilization. + +The day, which was one of sunshine and fruition, grew apace, and the +young men became more companionable as their knowledge of each other +widened. The tzin early inquired the name of his fellow sojourner, and, +also, by making himself known, drew from him his views on tribal +affairs. When he had gained this, to him, important information, he +expressed himself as follows: + +"I thank you for your frankness; and would add that I not only hope, +but believe, our coming together at this time will lead to a true and +profitable comradeship. Tezcuco needs the aid of all her true sons to +reestablish her in her former place among the nations of Anahuac, to +accomplish which the courage and patriotism of her people will be +sorely tested. War to the death must be met and stubbornly waged ere +that desirable end may be reached. In such a test of courage, where, I +would ask, will be found the hunter, Cacami?" + +"I would not be counted a boaster," replied the hunter; "but, when the +test is required of me, the friend of Hualcoyotl may be assured that my +arm will be found where maquahuitl and javelin shall find the most to +do for Tezcuco's deliverance." + +"You say well, O Cacami, and I commend you heartily!" exclaimed the +tzin, approvingly. "The same spirit of loyalty which inspires you +inspires all the best men of our tribe. Take heart with me, O friend, +for the future holds, at least, a hope of freedom for our country." + +The tzin's zeal affected his companion not a little, who added an +unqualified wish that the hope might not be a vain one. + +The day passed pleasantly away, bringing the wayfarers, at a late hour +in the afternoon, to a point opposite Zelmonco villa, which was +situated some distance off from the highway. + +Cacami was counting on reaching Tezcuco, a league and a half further +on, before night, where he purposed stopping until morning. When the +time came for parting company, Euetzin interfered very materially with +his plans by extending to him a cordial invitation to become his guest, +pressing the invitation with so much earnestness that he reluctantly +consented. + +The young hunter had impressed the tzin most favorably, and, in +addition to extending to him the hospitality of his home, he designed +making an ally of him. + +The villa was a full half league from the main thoroughfare, but the +young men were good walkers, and soon had the satisfaction of ending +their day's journey. + +The park, fronting the villa, was gained; and as they passed up through +it, Cacami was forcibly struck with its great attractiveness--a +veritable hill of flowers, showing, in its conception, an advanced +degree of tact and taste. + +Teochma saw her beloved boy coming up the walk, and came hurriedly to +meet him. He saluted her affectionately, and, in turn, was joyfully +welcomed back to his home. + +Cacami was kindly received, and on bended knee, as was the custom, +rendered respectful obeisance to the mother of his friend. + +"We give you a hearty welcome to Zelmonco," she said, cordially. + +"Your kindness is most gratifying, especially since we meet as +strangers," he humbly replied. + +"We meet as strangers, 'tis true, but will part as friends, I'm sure," +she answered, affably. "Our door is always open. The stranger may enter +it, even as a friend. Come," she concluded, turning toward the villa +door, at which they were met by Itlza, the sight of whom was a genuine +surprise to Cacami. Euetzin had said very little to him regarding his +family, and nothing at all of her. The young hunter was, therefore, not +expecting to meet a maiden--especially one of such peculiar +attractiveness. + +The brother and sister greeted each other lovingly, and Cacami was made +known to the latter. She received his salutation with coy reserve, and +the surprised young man said: + +"This is a pleasure I was not looking for. That my friend might have a +sister never once entered my mind." + +Observing the brightness of her beautiful, sparkling eyes, he was led +to express almost abruptly, but in a voice full of unfeigned +admiration, the thought they inspired: + +"Itlza is a very pretty name," he said; "yet, if I might be permitted +to do so, I would substitute another--one that would be peculiarly +appropriate." + +They all bent upon him an inquiring look, which encouraged him to go +on. Continuing, he said, gayly: "'The Laughing-eyes'; would not that be +delightfully expressive?" + +Cacami's implied admiration for the rare beauty of Itlza's eyes, which +was her redeeming attractiveness, was not a breach of any rule of +native etiquette, but, to her friends and herself, only a pleasing mark +of his appreciation. The tzin looked surprised, but not displeased; +Teochma smiled a loving approval, while Itlza blushingly showed her +gratification in the pleased look which lit up her face. + +"Cacami is very free with his compliments," said the mother; "and, as a +flatterer, might prove a dangerous acquaintance." + +"I am not a flatterer, I assure you. My compliments are only bestowed +where they are deserved," he replied, looking at Itlza. + +"There, that will do for an introduction," quoth she, turning away. + +The hunting outfit of the guest was passed to a servant to be cared +for, and, following Itzla, all entered the villa. + +A brief description of Cacami will not, we think, be out of place just +here. He was tall and finely formed; straight as an arrow, and agile as +an ocelotl. His countenance was, usually, placidity itself, though +easily disturbed by an excited emotion. It was a pleasant face, and +gave out a favorable impression--the expression of it being open and +candid. His eyes were dark, but not so piercing black as were those of +most of his race. There was no uncertainty or want of courage in their +look; they were unhesitatingly fixed on the person or object before +them with perfect frankness. His complexion was of the lighter cast, +though showing the effects of exposure from his outdoor life. His mind +had received the advantages of an early training--such advantages as +were attainable for a wealthy farmer's son. The practical had not been +overlooked. He was a farmer by education--a calling which was +considered by the Aztecs a most honorable one. He had a strong passion +for the chase, and of late years his time had been divided between the +field and forest. He also delighted in the sports which were common +among his people. This led him to become familiar with the use of arms, +in which he had few, if any, superiors. His fine looks and genial +disposition made him a favorite wherever he was personally known, +giving him a decided advantage with the young folk. + +The formalities of an introduction being over, the family endeavored to +make their guest feel at ease. The customary refreshments were served, +of which the hungry travelers partook liberally. + +When the repast was ended, they all repaired to the drawing-room to +have a talk. + +The thoughts which were foremost in the tzin's mind were of his friend +Hualcoyotl. Almost the first inquiry he made was of him. + +"Can my mother tell us aught of the prince?" he asked; and, continuing, +he said: "I have come all the way from Tlacopan to be informed, having +failed to learn anything about him since his escape from the palace." + +Teochma cast an inquiring look from Euetzin to Cacami, as much as to +say, "Can we trust him?" + +The tzin comprehended, and added: + +"Cacami is a true and loyal friend, and may be taken into our +confidence. My mother need have no fears on his account." + +"It is well. Much depends on our guarding carefully the secrets of our +home, in these times, from those we may not trust. It would not please +the king to know that we had favored the prince," she answered. + +Euetzin caught her meaning, and became deeply interested. Teochma +continued: + +"Hualcoyotl was here, at the villa, four days ago, remaining over one +sun. He came in the night, and left the following evening. He had one +attendant with him; Oza, I think he called him. If no ill has befallen +them, they are now on the mountains, off toward Tlascala. The prince +went there, hoping to find in the mountain fastnesses a safe refuge +from his pursuers." + +Euetzin looked the picture of surprise, and was slow to speak, while +Cacami suddenly became deeply concerned; and, when Teochma concluded, +said, somewhat abruptly and abstrusely: + +"A vexing oversight, truly; and lacking in courage as well!" + +All eyes were immediately turned upon him, and Teochma asked, much +astonished at the remark: + +"To what do you allude?" + +"Forbear, O friends; I would not appear rude. I allude to an incident +with which I had to do, on my way in from the mountains. Your +information with reference to the prince's movements, good Teochma, I +regard as coming to me in the light of a revelation." + +"How so?" inquiringly questioned the now interested tzin. + +"Your excellent mother has just informed us that Hualcoyotl left +Zelmonco four days ago, accompanied by one servant, going in the +direction of Tlascala. Two days later I met with an incident in which, +I feel assured, I was his defender in an encounter with a band of +Tepanec soldiers. I have said there was a vexing oversight, also a lack +of courage; and, I now add, 'twas in my own conduct. Listen, and judge +me, if you will. Two days ago, as I was coming from the mountains, +beyond Chalco, I came suddenly on a party of Tepanec soldiers, who were +making a violent assault upon a traveler. The man had defended himself +the best he could, with a stout walking-stick, but there were too many +against him. At the moment of my coming up he was on the point of +yielding, and, a little later, would have been a prisoner. I grasped my +sword, which I always carry when I go to the mountains, and made a +vigorous attack upon them. A few effective strokes sent two of their +number to earth and the rest to flight. The rescued traveler had one +attendant, who was lying bound and helpless by the roadside. He was +quickly released, and found to have received no bodily harm. The +traveler was very grateful, and expressed himself in warm terms. He +asked of me my name; but, for what I considered a sufficient reason, I +begged that he would permit me to pass on unknown. From a peculiar +remark he made, I was, at one time, almost led to inquire who he was. +He said I had done a greater service than I could then be aware of, +which struck me as containing a hidden meaning. Inadvertently, I +decided not to make the inquiry, which, I see now, was an inexcusable +oversight. Fearing a return of the soldiers, he again expressed his +gratitude, and went on toward the mountains. I am quite convinced the +rescued traveler was none other than Hualcoyotl." + +"What was your reason for withholding your name?" asked the tzin. + +"I had slain two of the king's men, under circumstances which laid me +liable to the severest penalty. I considered the course taken the +safest, not knowing who the traveler was." + +"And why do you now look upon your course as an oversight and lacking +in courage?" questioned the tzin. + +"For the reason that, through fear of the tyrant, Maxtla, I was silent, +making no exertion to learn who it was I had defended," replied Cacami, +in a self-accusing spirit. + +"The traveler, quite likely, would have acted in the matter just as you +did: declining to inform you. In fact, if it was the prince, I am sure +he would; for any guarantee you might have given, as to your identity, +would have been insufficient to satisfy a man fleeing from the wrath of +the king. I do not think you have cause for self-blame at all, but, on +the contrary, have for self-approval. You may have been +overcautious--nothing more. Your conduct was anything but cowardly, +and, I would assure you, it will not go unrewarded, should our cause +become propitious. Hualcoyotl has a kind heart, and does not forget a +generous act, especially where courage is involved, as in this +instance. If the rescued traveler proves to have been the prince, +Tezcuco can never render adequate honor to the hunter, Cacami, for +saving his life," spoke the tzin, whose great affection for his friend +made him deeply grateful to his rescuer. + +"I do not look upon the act of rescuing the traveler as being more than +the discharge of an obligation which one man owes to another. I would +have done the same had it been the poorest slave," replied Cacami, in a +depreciating manner. + +"I am sure that you would; that such is the case does not detract from +the worthiness of the act, but rather magnifies it. A man who acts in +such emergencies from a sense of duty is deserving of the highest +consideration. I have only words of praise to bestow upon you. Our love +for Hualcoyotl makes the act of saving his life doubly meritorious. +Language fails to express what we feel," returned the tzin, exhibiting +a deep sensibility. + +Euetzin was more than ever impressed with the idea of making an ally of +his new friend; and, later, sought to gain his consent to join him in +his work. He explained to him the nature and object of it, and assured +him how gratified he would be to have his assistance. + +Cacami expressed his gratitude for the tzin's confidence, and said, +further: + +Should I follow my own inclination I would join you at once; but, +notwithstanding I am beyond the age of paternal control, respect for +the will of my father demands that he should be consulted first. I have +no doubt as to the result of a conference with him, for he is a strong +advocate of Tezcucan independence. You may count on a favorable report +from me, I think, if it will please you to wait." + +"It is well. Your regard for the will of your father is praiseworthy. I +trust to your discretion in the matter, and will only add: do not +forget the importance of a silent tongue." + +"Be assured, my good friend, that your secrets and plans shall be as +safely guarded as my life. I will be only too glad if they shall +become, in part, my own." + + * * * * * + +The evening passed away pleasantly and quite advantageously for our +young friend Cacami. A high estimation of him was formed by the several +members of the family. Itlza looked upon him as a real hero, and +admired him accordingly. + +At an early hour the party separated, and the weary young men, anxious +to find the rest they needed, retired to their couches. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +The hunter, Cacami, was heart free when he first entered Zelmonco Park, +but not unsusceptible to heart wounds when subjected to such +fascinating glances as greeted him from Itlza's eyes. An impassioned +admiration for her was quickly awakened, and a way prepared for him to +become an easy prey to Cupid's subtle influence. + +When about to leave the villa the next morning, to continue his +homeward journey, he sought the maiden with a view to having a parting +word with her. Great was his disappointment when he learned that she +was absent, and that no one knew where she was. He had counted on +finding in his departure an opportunity in which to reveal to her, by +word or action, something of the feelings with which she had inspired +him. But the fates appeared to order it otherwise, and he would be +compelled to forego the pleasure such a parting would afford him. +Concealing his disappointment under a semblance of cheerfulness he bade +his host and hostess adieu and started for the highway. + +Leaving the park he came to the road leading away from the villa, and +turned his face toward Tezcuco. As he did so the first object to meet +his eye and arouse him from the effects of his disappointment was Itlza +herself, approaching from the opposite direction. Was it chance or +design which caused the maiden to be there just at that time? She alone +could have answered. But no matter; the sight of her lifted Cacami from +the slough of despond, so to speak, into which he had fallen, and made +him doubly glad in the sudden revulsion of his feelings. His whole +appearance was changed in an instant, and with quickened pulse he +hastened forward to meet her. He came up to her with pleasure beaming +from his countenance, and in accents full of tender meaning exclaimed: + +"O Laughing-eyes, light of thy home! why were you not present to +gladden my departure from the villa but now? To Cacami the brightness +of Zelmonco was gone because you were not there to receive his +good-by." + +"Why should my absence so affect the hunter, Cacami, when only a night +hath divided the days which have made us known to each other?" she +answered, naively. + +"It is not the number of days that affect our lives, O Laughing-eyes, +but what they bring," he replied. "To Cacami those beautiful, sparkling +orbs, your eyes, O Itlza, are as two newly risen stars. To have been +deprived of the privilege this morning of again looking into their +wonderful depths would have robbed his stay at Zelmonco of its greatest +charm, and cast a regretful shadow on his pathway home." + +"Cacami is neither discreet nor wise in the use of language. The words +he speaks are pleasing; and Itlza, being a woman, might believe them +spoken in sincerity, when only gallantry is intended. Have a care, O +Cacami, that thy tongue lead thee not into deception," she replied with +a coquettish air. + +"I pray you, Laughing-eyes, believe me sincere. Were I possessed of a +deceitful tongue, which I can not think I am, I could not impose it on +the sister of my good friend, the tzin. That would be baseness of which +Cacami is not capable," he protested. "The clear crystal fountains +which spring from the side of yonder mountain are not more pure than +are the thoughts which he holds for Laughing-eyes," the young hunter +went on, with an earnestness which bespoke sincerity. + +"Cacami may be sincere, and his words well meant, but Itlza should not +hear them. Let us talk of something else. Have you a sister?" + +"Yes, two, who will give me welcome home when I cross my father's +threshold," he replied with respectful deference. + +"You ought to be very happy, then, in your homecomings," she replied. + +"So I have ever been. It is a good and pleasant home which always waits +me, and it will be very hard to leave it," he returned, with a shade of +sadness in his voice. + +"Why should you leave it?" she questioned, her voice tinged with a +responsive sympathy. + +"Why should anyone leave their childhood's home? Even Laughing-eyes +will one day go from her beautiful Zelmonco to find another home. To do +so is her natural destiny, as it is mine to leave the home I love," he +answered, with an expression of tenderness, at the same time watching +closely to observe the effect his words might have upon her. If she +suspected a hidden meaning in them she did not show it. + +"Is it far to your home?" she asked, appearing heedless of his +impassioned voice. + +"As far beyond as it is from here to Tezcuco--about four hours," he +answered. "Your question admonishes me that I must not tarry. I would +that Laughing-eyes will hold me kindly in her thoughts. Could I be +assured that she will, it would please me more than she can know," he +said, seriously. + +"You will come again and I will know you better; till then good-by," +she answered airily, accompanying her words with the same fascinating +glance which had won his admiration. His already excited pulse +quickened under its influence. + +As she hastened away in the direction of the villa he looked after her +with a strange, uncertain sensation, which made him feel as if he had +found a priceless gem and was now about to lose it. He watched her +receding form until out of sight, and then mentally soliloquized: + +"Why should this strange maiden so impress me? More beautiful have I +looked upon, and yet no such feelings as she has awakened have ever +stirred me before. Can it be that I have found a mate in +Laughing-eyes?" His concluding thought was not an unpleasant one, as +the expression on his face clearly indicated. Again his steps were +turned toward Tezcuco, and with rapid strides he widened the space +which separated him from the object of his thoughts. + +Cacami may not have found a mate in the sister of his newly made +friend; yet, if appearances were any criterion, had the object of his +first love. + +Itlza was not void of self-pride, and following on the very favorable +impressions she had formed of the young hunter, the flattering words +addressed to her by him were not without effect. She recalled some of +them with a pleasurable satisfaction, and held them as something to be +remembered, a very dangerous thing for a young girl like her to do if +she would not be ensnared in the meshes of love's enthralling web. + + * * * * * + +Cacami returned from his home to the villa about noon the following +day. Euetzin was expecting him, as he had assured the tzin that he +would report the result of a conference with his father immediately, +let the conclusion be what it might. When he came up to Euetzin, who +had gone to the lower side of the park to meet him, it did not require +words to communicate his decision. The glad confirmation of the tzin's +wishes was seen on his radiant countenance. + +"My friend is pleased, and I do not have to inquire the cause," said +he, in greeting him. "I read upon your face, Cacami, that we are to be +comrades in the fight for freedom." + +"Yes, we are," returned Cacami. "This good right arm," he continued, +raising it by way of emphasis, "I have pledged, through my father, to +the cause of Tezcuco and her prince. Your proposition, that I should +become your assistant in the work which you have undertaken was +favorably considered, and I am here to join you." + +"Your decision is gratifying. In it the cause which has become so dear +to me has found a strong arm to labor in its defense, and I a worthy +comrade. But come, you have traveled, and are, no doubt, hungry and +thirsty. Refreshments are waiting." + +As they were ascending the hill, through the park, Cacami inquired: + +"Have you had any news from the palace of the prince, since your +return?" + +"What news might I expect? Hualcoyotl is not there." + +"True, the prince is not there, but Itzalmo--is not that the name of +the old man who was his tutor?" + +"It is, but what of him? Your words remind me that I have been remiss; +I should have gone to Itzalmo ere this," replied the tzin. + +"That you could not have done, for Itzalmo is in prison." + +The tzin stopped and looked at Cacami as if he did not comprehend, and +said: + +"In prison, did you say? And for what offense, pray?" + +"For what offense I did not learn." + +"Where and when did you hear of his imprisonment?" + +"On the streets of Tezcuco, yesterday. Six days ago, 'tis said, the +king's officer took him to Azcapozalco," answered Cacami. + +"And he has not returned?" + +"No, he is still in prison." + +"I must learn more of this matter, immediately," returned the tzin +thoughtfully. + +They entered the house, where Cacami met with a kindly greeting from +Teochma and Itlza. + +After refreshments were served, Euetzin made known his purpose of going +to Tezcuco to obtain further information relative to Itzalmo. He left +Cacami to be entertained by Itlza, observing that she could show him +the beauties of the park, and thus keep him from becoming lonesome. + +O, thoughtless brother! Lonesome, indeed! Nothing could have delighted +Cacami more than the prospect of a whole afternoon with Itlza. + +Euetzin had been gone quite a while, and Itlza, as he had suggested, +had taken Cacami over the ground which comprised the villa park, +showing him the most interesting of its features, of which the family +were justly proud. She had finally brought him to her favorite retreat, +in the shade of an old oak tree, at the foot of which stood a rustic +bench, and, a little way off from it, a beautiful flowing fountain, +which added coolness to the spot, and made it especially inviting. + +Itlza was seated on the bench beneath the tree, toying with a bunch of +odorous flowers, while Cacami reclined on the ground, almost at her +feet. + +"You are fleet of tongue, O Cacami, and your voice is like the cooing +of a dove. The words fall from your lips as readily as flowing water +from a hillside spring. But the thoughts which fill your mind are +hidden. Who but yourself may read them?" she was saying, provokingly, +in answer to something he had said. + +"Surely, Laughing-eyes, you can not think me capable of holding +thoughts, which are not in accord with my words? I may be impulsive and +hasty, but not deceitful," he answered, with an honest emphasis on his +words. + +It was clearly a case of love at first sight with Cacami, and his +impulsiveness led him to show it plainly. Itlza was more discreet, and +would not so easily surrender to the dictates of a smitten heart. She +was, nevertheless, fast falling under the influence of the subtle +little archer, though, woman-like, persisted in fighting it off. In +answer to Cacami's expostulation, she said: + +"I would not seem unkind, but would put a check upon your tongue. You +are scarcely more than a stranger to me. Two days ago you did not know +that such a person lived as I; and yet, in that short time, you are +pleading to hear a song from the little love-bird which nestles in +Itlza's heart. Know you not, O Cacami, that the little bird is chary, +and may be easily frightened away?" she replied archly, but kindly. + +"Your words are severe, Laughing-eyes, yet of them I may be deserving, +for I have been impetuous; but I can not think my conduct should drive +you from me, in that you are surely jesting. I am not a trifler, Itlza, +and, believe me, never one spoke more sincerely. Only bid me hope, and +I will be your silent slave." + +We would not have the reader think that Cacami was foolish, for he was +not. He was unquestionably stricken with that peculiar affection which, +ever since the first man and woman were brought face to face, has held +the loftiest minds, and brought under subjection the strongest wills, +making slaves of all, willing or unwilling, to the object through the +attraction of which the affection is produced, causing men of +intelligence, not infrequently, to fall into ridicule. Still, +recognizing the innateness of the thing, we look upon such conduct as a +natural consequence. + +Cacami's fault was in not restraining his impulsiveness. He read in the +words which fell from Itlza's lips that she was not wholly indifferent +to his wooing, and, as a last earnest, plead for a hope. + +Itlza's reply was not very encouraging. + +"To bid you hope might be to deceive you," she said. "No, you must not +ask it of me. If the time should come when the little love-bird would +sing its song for Cacami, he shall know it. Promise, then, to speak no +more of love until you have permission, and Itlza will be your friend." + +"A wish from you, O Laughing-eyes, is a command to me. I will do the +best I can; but should I fail, it will be for love of you." He spoke +pathetically, and Itlza's heart went out to him with a sudden impulse, +and a more adroit wooer than he might have won there and then, but +Cacami had promised, and the opportunity passed unimproved. + +"I have your promise, then?" asked the persistent Itlza. + +"Yes," he answered, resignedly. + +She laughed at his sober acquiescence and pathetic yes, and said: + +"Your ready submission almost persuades me to believe you sincere. But, +there, do not speak," she suddenly added, anticipating him, as he +looked up at her fondly, showing in his expression that he was about to +put some thought into words. She placed her hand over his mouth, and +continued: "I do believe you would violate your promise before it is +cold upon your lips." + +He put her hand away gently, and said: + +"You shall not again have occasion to check me. Laughing-eyes shall +learn that Cacami can hold his tongue." + + * * * * * + +Euetzin came back from Tezcuco toward evening, and found the twain +still lingering under the oak tree near the fountain. The mother came +from the house, too, and a half hour was passed in listening to an +account of his visit to the city and what it revealed, at the +conclusion of which they went in for refreshments. + +The day ended, and night followed, bringing the morning, when Euetzin, +with his newly acquired friend and comrade, set out to continue the +prosecution of his patriotic mission. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +Tenochtitlan, later the city of Mexico, was founded by the primitive +Mexicans (Aztecs), early in the fourteenth century, about two hundred +years prior to the advent of the Spaniards on the Anahuac. The city was +situated, originally, on a group of small islands in the southwestern +portion of lake Tezcuco, nearly one league from the shore, and was, for +more than a century, a very frail and peculiarly constructed place. Its +houses were built chiefly of wood, reeds, and rushes, with the +exception, perhaps, of the principal structures and _teacollis_ +(temples), which were, doubtless, of sun-dried blocks of clay. Many of +the houses, for want of space, were built over the water, supported by +driven piles, upright posts, and were approachable in many instances +only by canoe. A canoe was therefore an indispensable possession to an +inhabitant of the island city. + +The absence of stone in the construction of buildings in the first +century of the city's existence was, no doubt, attributable to the fact +that it was reached by canoe, only, previous to the construction of +causeways; after which followed a rapid transformation in its +composition and appearance, until, at the time of the conquest, it had +become a wonderful city of stone palaces and temples, with grand +squares and broad avenues. + +Notwithstanding Tenochtitlan, at the time of which we write, was +greatly inferior in its construction to the other large cities of the +valley, it was a veritable beehive in the animation and density of its +population. + +It was the capital of a fierce and aggressive people, who were not only +brave, but cunning, in their aggression, which led to their complete +supremacy under the last Montezuma. + +The question as to why the Aztecs chose so inconvenient a location on +which to build their capital will naturally present itself to the mind +of the reader. We have only space to say the idea was of miraculous +origin, the result of a priestly superstition.[8] + + [8] NOTE.--See Hale's Mexico. + +There was a feeling of deep respect for the rights of nations +maintained among the Anahuacans, and any violation of them engendered a +general hostility toward the violator. + +Sympathy hardly ever led a tribe to take sides between other tribes at +war. Only when the grievances were common did they unite their forces. + +The Mexicans were decidedly friendly to the cause of the Tezcucans in +their war with the Tepanecs, and yet stood aloof and saw them humbled +in the very dust. Their sympathies were still with them in their +degradation. + +In consequence of this friendly feeling, many Tezcucans were to be +found in their capital and territory; some of whom had withdrawn from +Tezcuco for the betterment of their condition; others because of their +hatred for the nation which had subverted their government and +subjected them to an onerous and hateful vassalage. + +Old warriors, who preferred voluntary exile to servility; merchants and +traders, who thought to find a better field in which to ply their +vocations, and nobles, whose titles, since the death of their king and +the subversion of his government, were only nominal, were to be found +among them--all living and waiting in the hope of a restoration of +their kingdom. + +The determined efforts of King Maxtla to destroy Prince Hualcoyotl had +not improved the former's standing in the Mexican capital, but, on the +other hand, had produced just the opposite effect. The Tezcucans were +outspoken in their denunciation of him and his government, and nothing +was said or done to check them. + +Euetzin had discovered this antagonistic feeling among his countrymen, +and was now abroad to take advantage of it. His first effective work, +after leaving home the second time, was done in the Mexican capital, +among them. + +Situated on the city's market place was an expansive structure, which +was one story in height--their buildings were very seldom higher. The +building referred to was used principally as a store-house for unsold +marketable products, and was divided up into suitable apartments--rooms +and booths. In one of the rooms, fronting on the _tianguez_, was a +cafe, or restaurant, kept by a Tezcucan. A part of the room--the back +portion--was cut off from the front by means of a curtain, for the +convenience of parties desiring to be served privately. There was a +door opening from this part of the room into a hallway, which extended +back the full length of the building. Some distance back, at the side +of this hallway, three or four steps were situated, which led downward +to a very short hall, from which an entrance was to be had to an +apartment in which meetings, often of a secret character, were held. + +It was night. The streets and squares of the city were almost deserted. +At this hour an unusual influx to the Tezcucan's cafe was taking place. +Men were seen to pass in, at brief intervals, and disappear. Presently, +two young men entered, and one of them addressing the proprietor, said: + +"We are seeking friends." + +"Where from?" he inquired. + +"Tezcuco," was the brief reply. + +"The way is clear; pass in." + +Nothing further was said. The party passed back and out into the +hallway, along which they went to the steps previously referred to. +Here they paused a moment, in a listening attitude. Hearing nothing of +a disturbing character, they descended. A few steps brought them to a +door, before which they stopped and gave one rap. The following +response was elicited: + +"What seek ye?" + +"Our own," replied the same person who had addressed the keeper of the +cafe. The door was opened, and they entered. Passing on to another +door, two raps were given, and a voice from within inquired: + +"What have you to offer in pledge?" + +"That which, if taken, can not be restored: life," answered one of the +seekers for admission. + +"It is a royal offering. Enter." The door was opened, and the young men +were admitted. For a moment, while the door was again closed, they +stood in black darkness; then a curtain was drawn to one side, +discovering to them a low, dingy, dimly lighted chamber. Men, old and +young, who had entered in the same guarded manner as they, were seated +about the room. The newcomers were told to pass in, which they did, and +were seated like those who had preceded them. + +Perfect silence prevailed while the chamber was filling up. Upon each +man's face was a stern and determined look. Not a sign of recognition +passed between them. It was an assembly of people whose taciturnity was +always pronounced under circumstances of an impressive character. + +When the proper time arrived, a man of middle age and commanding +presence arose and addressed the meeting. He was evidently a prominent +Tezcucan. He said: + +"The hour has come when the ear should be open to catch the sound, and +the tongue silent that it may not escape. Euetzin, son of the noble +Euzelmozin, is here. He bears a message from his brother Tezcucan." +Turning to the foremost of the two young men with whom we entered, he +continued: "Let Euetzin speak. The men of his tribe have ears, and they +are open." + +Euetzin it was, sure enough, who now arose to address the assembly. +Amid the profoundest silence, he began, using a metaphorical +expression, speaking in a very impressive manner: + +"The lion hath made his spring, but the prey he sought was the cunning +fox. The fox escaped, and the lion is full of wrath." He paused a +moment, and then continued, changing his manner of speech: "Men of +Tezcucan blood--you who love and revere the memory of a noble though +fallen king, and a country once proud and happy--give ear. I am here," +he went on, "to arouse you from the lethargy of a hopeless +indifference, and to assure you, as I believe, that Tezcuco may yet be +free. Though our prince is a fugitive, outlawed, with a price placed +upon his life; the land which gave us birth trodden under the heel of a +usurping tyrant, and our people made subject to a shameful vassalage; +yet there still lives in the hearts of these people a patriotic love of +country, which, if stirred, will break asunder the shackles which bind +them, and bid defiance to the authors of their degradation." The tzin +spoke with remarkable force, and was listened to with the profoundest +attention. "Are we men, or are we only slaves," he vociferated, "that +we shake not off the spell which binds us hand and foot, and holds the +tongue till it speaks not? Awake, ye men of Tezcuco, awake! and let +your ears be open; for the voice of your prince cries from the mountain +fastnesses for help. Shall it be a vain cry, or shall it find a quick +response in the hearts of his people and a speedy resistance to his +despotic persecutor? If you are true to the memory of our good king, +who was slain for naught but conquest, then put forth a hand and let us +raise high the standard he loved: the standard of our own Tezcuco, and +pause not until her loyal sons everywhere are enrolled under it, and +the usurper has been driven by our patriotic legions beyond her +borders. + +"He who will join me in the glorious work of redeeming Tezcuco from +dishonor and a hated vassalage rise, and, with his hand over his heart, +repeat after me the obligation which shall pledge us, arm and life, to +the cause of our country and prince." + +Every man in the chamber quickly stood up and was heard to repeat, in +deep and solemn tones, the following, to them, awful obligation: + +"Tezcuco, my own once illustrious, but now degraded Tezcuco! my life, +and all I have, I pledge and obligate to thee in defense of thy prince, +his cause and people! I swear it, and, failing in my duty, may my blood +run red on the altar of Huitzil,[9] whose aid I now invoke!" A moment +of impressive silence followed, and the men resumed their seats. +Euetzin continued: + + [9] NOTE.--The Aztec god of war. + +"In this hour, life and motion have been infused into the cause of +Tezcuco, which many have looked upon as lost. We have each, by our +obligation, made ourselves the active moving element in its sudden +resuscitation. What shall be the outcome? What shall be the end of this +altogether splendid beginning? Be this our unqualified answer: Tezcuco +shall be free!" + +The assembly was thoroughly aroused, and during a moment's pause in the +tzin's speech a spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm took place. "Tezcuco +shall be free!" was the reiterated acclaim which resounded through the +chamber. When quiet was restored the tzin went on: + +"And now, since we are pledged, let us, every man, be up and doing. Let +no loyal Tezcucan be overlooked. Move silently and quickly, ceasing not +the work until the fire of patriotism, which has been enkindled in our +hearts to-night, shall have spread to the farthest borders of Anahuac, +and every true friend of Tezcuco has espoused her cause, and enrolled +himself under the banner of Hualcoyotl and liberty. Let not your ears +be closed, for the call will surely come which will claim the +fulfillment of your obligation." + +When the young conspirator concluded and had taken his seat, an old +warrior rose up and said a few encouraging words. He spoke as follows: + +"The spirit of loyalty and devotion evinced by our young leader, the +tzin, for his unfortunate country and prince, does honor to Euzelmozin, +his noble father, who was my friend. Age has left the Matzatl a weak +and broken sword. His day of fighting is past; yet the Matzatl would +live to see his country rescued from the hand of the spoiler. Young +men, hearken to the words of the young tzin and follow his counsel. +Matzatl has faith in the son of Euzelmozin, and is assured that he will +lead you to victory. Our brother, whose words first greeted us +to-night, spoke wisely when he said: 'The hour has come when the ear +should be open to catch the sound, and the tongue silent that it may +not escape.' See to it that ye hear the sound and hold it." + +Others, including Cacami, addressed the assembly briefly, urging a +faithful adherence to the cause which they had sworn with their all to +defend. + +At a suggestion from Euetzin a permanent organization was formed, which +was designated a council, and an experienced warrior chosen to +officiate as its chief. Thus was the object of the meeting attained; +the first step toward the organization of an army accomplished, and the +hearts of those present inspired with confidence in their cause, and +zeal to labor for its promotion and final establishment. + +The meeting had been brought about through the influence of the tzin, +with the assistance of a few leading spirits, whose special duty was to +see each one personally and instruct him in the passwords, that no man +who was not known to be true and loyal might gain admission. + +The men quietly dispersed and the world outside was none the wiser that +an organization was begun, having for its end an object freighted with +consequences, the measure of which was not comprehended by the +originators themselves. + +The same proceeding was enacted in every city and town where Tezcucans +were found in sufficient numbers to make it possible. Not only were +Euetzin and Cacami engaged in it, but others who had entered the work +with heart and soul imbued with the spirit of resistance and a life +pledged to the accomplishment of their country's liberation. It was all +being done with such quiet stealth that no move or sound gave evidence +of the rapidly spreading conspiracy. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, +and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in +search of food. Hualcoyotl took it upon himself to do this. + +The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and +animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in +emergencies. + +Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the +strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his +retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for +the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated. + +It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially +within the dense woody growth which covered it. The prince stole +noiselessly forth from his hiding-place, and with that stealth which +is characteristic of the American Indian, passed down the mountain's +side, and out onto the plain below. Food in abundance was just before +him, but to undertake to secure it would be at the risk of discovery, +and, possibly, death. The maddening pangs of hunger were impelling +him on; and in his starving condition the tempting food, which was +almost within his reach, outweighed the instinctive sense of +self-preservation. With cat-like tread he moved away from the +mountain's base, knowing that, at any moment, he might come upon a +camp of his enemy. In his weak and nervous condition the noise made +in the rustling of a leaf, or by the breaking of a twig, was +magnified a dozenfold in his imagination. + +Though desperation was leading him on, the prince did not for an +instant relax his vigilance. + +At last he was in the midst of plenty; fields of corn just in the milk, +and fruit, on shrub and tree, to be had for the plucking. Securing a +quantity of each, he started to return. The same watchful vigilance was +observed returning as in going out. He was moving cautiously along, +with his senses wide awake, when a sound, very like the noise of some +one moving near him, arrested his attention. + +"Pish!" he ejaculated, after listening a moment. "'Twas but the +flapping of a wing by some nightbird." + +The thought had scarcely crossed his mind when a screech most dismal, +and quite close, struck upon his sensitive ear, sending a chill to his +very heart. Reduced as he was by hunger, with nerves up-strung to their +utmost tension, the shock was very severe, and he felt, for an instant, +as if he would sink to the earth. + +"What a woman I have become!" he muttered, chidingly, to himself. "This +will not do. To allow the scream of a bird to affect me thus is +cowardice." + +Bracing himself against further weakness, he resumed his cautious +movement toward the foot of the mountain. When he reached it, he +attempted to ascend, but now, that he was in a measure safe, the +nervous rigor and force of will, which had sustained him, relaxed, and +he was compelled to sit down until his exhausted powers were restored. + +While he lingered thus, his thoughts reverted to his palace home; to +old Itzalmo, his faithful friend and counselor; to Euetzin, his +companion and confidante, and to Zelmonco villa, the home of Itlza. +Thoughts of her awakened a pleasurable thrill in his soul, and his +features softened under the touch of a sentiment which, if not love, +was something very nearly akin to it. To himself he said: + +"Am I, indeed, in love with my friend's sweet sister? Yes, it must be +so; for I feel that I could sacrifice the man who would dare to come +between us!" + +When he felt himself sufficiently recovered to ascend the mountain, he +arose and proceeded slowly up its side, and on toward his retreat. As +he approached his hiding-place he became more wary. What if, in his +absence, his retreat had been discovered by his enemy? The thought +impressed itself upon him so forcibly that he paused frequently to +listen for unusual sounds; but nothing reached his ear save the low and +familiar murmur of the night winds, lulling, with their monotonical +song, nature's wearied hosts to rest. + +When near enough to give it, he sounded the signal, so like the real +that the shrewdest woodsman might have been deceived. Again it pierced +the silent woods, and quickly came back the echo in Oza's answer. + +Hualcoyotl, now relieved of his apprehensions, went boldly forward, and +was gladly welcomed back by his anxious attendant. + +They could not risk a fire in the nighttime, and were compelled to make +a supper on uncooked maize and fruit. Very soon sleep, "Nature's sweet +restorer," claimed her own, and they were lost to the dangers about +them. + +The next morning, before the sun was up, a fire was built, and a +breakfast of roasted maize duly prepared. They had no salt with which +to season it, but that was of little consequence to them; hunger +furnished the added relish, and gave it a flavor that all the +condiments required by necessity and art, for man's gratification and +need, could not have given. It was a delicious feast to the +half-starved fugitives, and was repeated several times during the day. + +The first venture of the prince having proved successful, others +followed as often as circumstances required it. With each recurring +trip he became more bold, and less vigilant, and finally it was decided +to make a daylight venture. The first was successful, but the second +proved unfortunate, and the last. On this occasion he got too far away +from the base of the mountain, and, in returning, was intercepted by a +party of Tepanec troops. They were discovered to each other about the +same time. The soldiers, to be sure of their man, sent up a savage +yell, which had the desired effect, for the prince immediately started +to run for his life, making his identity quite certain, and a chase +began at once. + +Hualcoyotl was fleet of foot, and had recovered, in the past few days, +much of his former vigor. He gained rapidly on his pursuers, which gave +him an opportunity to change his course. The deflection he made took +him out of sight of the soldiers, but their continued yells indicated a +hot and determined pursuit. + +He was becoming hopeful of his ability to evade them, if he could only +hold out. The gaining confidence within him added strength to his +limbs. On, on, he almost flew; and, as he ran, the yells of his +pursuers impelled him forward in his flight. + +The course the fugitive was now pursuing was nearly in the direction of +the mountain, and he was speeding along on the wings of hope, when, as +he dashed into a narrow vale, he came suddenly upon another party of +soldiers. He was right in their midst before he was aware of their +presence. "The gods defend me now!" was the prayerful ejaculation which +escaped him as he took in the situation. + +The moment the prince came into their midst the soldiers surmised who +he was, and, closing around him, seized and laid him on the ground. A +large drum, which they had with them, was then brought forward and +placed over him. When this was done, they began to sing and dance +around it. + +When the pursuers of the prince came in sight of the party of soldiers +who were dancing around the drum under which he was lying, they +suddenly stopped and viewed the scene with an air of bewilderment, as +if uncertain what to do. The pause was of short duration, however; for, +with a yell of disappointment and rage at the disappearance of the +prince, they changed their course so as to pass the dancing party, and +were soon out of sight and hearing. + +Hualcoyotl's wonder and astonishment were great when his captors began +to sing and dance around the drum. The song did not indicate a spirit +of hostility, but, on the other hand, friendliness. What did it mean? +Could it possibly be that he was not in the hands of an enemy? These +queries passed quickly through his mind. + +The mystery was very soon cleared away. When his pursuers had +disappeared, his captors lifted the drum from over him and assisted him +to rise. He was free; no hand was upon him, and the faces about him +were wreathed in smiles of satisfaction, while he was told that he was +among friends. His astonishment, and the joy he experienced because of +his deliverance, were very great. His captors were men of Tlacopan, a +friendly nation, whose singular conduct was explained when they +informed him that on his appearance in their midst they guessed who he +was, and that his pursuers were emissaries of Maxtla. There was no time +to lose in explanations, then, if they would save him; so he was +quickly seized and placed under the drum as a means of concealment. + +Hualcoyotl expressed his gratitude in words of no uncertain meaning, +and commended the soldiers for their ready shrewdness in devising and +executing the plan to save him. + +He remained with them until night, when he was escorted by them to +within a short distance of his retreat, where they left him with a +feeling of personal friendliness, and also one of satisfaction at +having done a kind act in the service of a good man. + +Oza was overjoyed at his master's safe return, for he had given him up +as lost or captured. + +After explaining the cause of his protracted absence, the prince said: + +"And now, Oza, we must leave this place at once, and get as far from it +as possible before daylight to-morrow morning. My pursuers will scour +these rocks and hills in every direction without delay in search of me. +If we would escape them, we must lose no time in getting away." + +The prince took his bearings, and they started. It began to rain, and +the night grew wet and dark. They suffered much from the inclement +weather, and the hurts and bruises which they got in their efforts to +cross the mountain. All night through they dragged themselves wearily +on, over the rough and rocky ground. When day dawned they knew not +where they were, nor did they care, so they were beyond pursuit. + +The first thing to be done after daylight was to find a suitable place, +safe and comfortable, in which to fix a temporary habitation. + +In a small, narrow ravine among the rocks a spot was found which +promised protection from the sun and rain by adding a covering of +boughs and leaves, which was speedily accomplished. After partaking of +a light breakfast of maize and fruit, the last they had excepting a few +ears of the former, they disposed themselves to rest; and being greatly +worn and fatigued from the laborious tramp of the night, soon found +oblivion in sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +"That was a good shot, Mit! Your old father couldn't have done it +better." Such was the comment made by Tezcot, the hunter, on the result +of a well directed arrow from a bow in the hands of Mitla, the +"Mountain Princess." + +They were out on the mountain, hunting. Tezcot often went on short +excursions of the kind to please Mitla, and it gave him genuine +pleasure to do so. Being very kindly disposed, as he was, it afforded +him much gratification to make others happy, especially his children. + +"He's a fine specimen of his kind," he continued, holding the bird up +before him, "and will increase your stock of plumage, and, as well, add +another feather to your archer's cap." + +The prize was a most beautiful pheasant; and for a moment Mitla's eyes +were bright with excitement, but as she gazed upon the lovely bird, +lying dead and bleeding at her feet, where her father had carelessly +thrown it, the woman's heart within her was touched with feelings of +compunction, and she said: + +"Father, is it well to kill such beautiful birds? My heart is sad +because I have done this." + +"It's all the same, child, whether the bird is beautiful or ugly; the +one suffers equally with the other, when it comes to that," +philosophized he. "Hello, Menke! Is that you?" he continued, addressing +a hunter, who just then came up to where they were. + +"Wull, yes, it's me, ef I know myself; an' think I should, for some +folks do say that Menke an' me are right sociable," jestingly replied +the newcomer, a well known mountaineer hunter, who was much addicted to +talking to himself, to which addiction his remark referred. + +"That ye are, Menke, we all know," answered Tezcot, appreciating the +hunter's reference to his peculiar habit, "but it doesn't make ye any +less friendly toward the rest of us." + +"Wull, no; Menke's about the same all over," returned he, and, suddenly +changing the subject, continued: "Goin' far up the mountain, Tez?" + +"Not far. We're only out for a short hunt this morning. Mit, there, +enjoys a trip to the mountains occasionally." + +"Good mornin', Princess," he said to Mitla. "Had any luck, eh?" + +"Yes, I have one beautiful bird, a pheasant. See! Is it not a pretty +one?" she replied, showing him the prize. + +"Nice bird, Princess. Shot it yerself, eh?" + +"Certainly, but wish I had not; it is such a lovely bird," she +returned, looking sorrowfully at it. + +"That's the woman of ye, Princess. Women don't make good hunters; +they're too squeamish," he observed, rather contemptuously. + +"You, no doubt, speak truly, Menke; but it is our nature, and we can +not help it," she replied, her eyes fixed on the bird with an +expression of sadness. + +Menke turned to Tezcot, and said: + +"Say, Tez, wish ye'd jine me in a trip across the mountain to-day. +Can't do it, eh?" + +"Not to-day, Menke; it would spoil Mit's sport. Some other day I'll go +with you." + +"All right, Tez; ye know yer own business. The mornin's goin' right +fast, an' I'll have to be goin' with it, ef I'd get roun' 'fore night. +Good mornin', Princess." + +"Good morning, and success attend you, Menke," she returned. + +With a parting word to his friend Tezcot the hunter left them, moving +rapidly up the mountain, and was soon lost to view among the timber. + +Tezcot and Mitla, at a later hour, awoke to the fact that they were +farther from home than they had intended to go at starting out. They +were more than a league and a half away, and the hunter thought it time +to call a halt. Their hunt had proven fairly successful, quite a bunch +of game having been secured, rendering the excursion very satisfactory. + +"Father," said Mitla, when a return had been decided on, "let us visit +the hermit's cave, on our way, going home. I have not been there for a +long time." + +"If a visit to the hermit would please ye, Mit, we'll go that way." + +"Thank you, father; it would, indeed, please me very much to visit the +hermitage again." + +So it was settled the hermitage should receive a visit from them. + +The hermit's cave was the abode of a recluse, whose identity and +previous life were a profound mystery. By accompanying the hunter and +Mitla to it, we will at least get an insight into the character of the +man. + +About a league from Tezcot's house was a long, narrow, and dark ravine. +It was fully a half mile in length, and was inwalled on either side by +steep elevations. Its gloomy wildness was seemingly filled with an +awe-inspiring presence, and only a few of the denizens of the +mountainous range would venture into it. Stories were told of strange +sights and sounds haunting its lonely recesses, which readily found +credence in the minds of the more superstitious of them. + +Tezcot, and a few other fearless hunters of the locality, took the +stories for what they were--creations of fancy or design, and +occasionally explored the place in quest of game. + +Since the advent of the hermit on the mountain, which took place some +years prior to the incidents narrated here, these bolder mountaineers +might have been seen at intervals cautiously invading its solitudes, +going, in most cases, to the hermitage to visit its strange occupant. + +The ravine was situated east and west, and those who were familiar with +its dark depths found it most easily entered from the eastern terminus. + +When Tezcot and Mitla arrived there, they went in without hesitation. +They found the ground rough, and frequently quite sloping, yet made +good progress over it. + +After going some distance into the ravine, they turned toward the +south, and began the ascent of the steep acclivity in that direction, +along a natural depression in its side. + +Going well up out of the ravine they made a turn to the west, and went +around the side of a mountain until they came to a dense growth of +underbrush, which had the appearance, in its denseness, of being +impenetrable. Tezcot, however, knew the ground well, and quickly found +a place that would admit of their passing through. When they came out +on the opposite side of the thicket, it was to find themselves on a +kind of shelf in the side of the mountain, at the back of which rose an +almost perpendicular wall of rock. Following this rocky wall for a +short distance back, they came to a great recess in its face, which had +the appearance of a natural vestibule. In the rear of this recess was +an opening, which proved to be the entrance to a cavern. Tezcot went +familiarly forward, passing through the aperture into a tunnel-shaped +cave, which appeared as running far back into the mountain. The +interior was only dimly lighted from the entrance; yet the +semi-darkness did not seem to impede the hunter's movement, for he went +confidently in, until he came to an opening in the side of the tunnel, +before which he stopped, and gave a peculiar signal. + +In response to the signal there presently appeared before the visitors +the form of a man dimly outlined in the faint light of the cavern. In a +voice which was deep and solemn, he inquired: + +"Who would break in on the solitude of Ix, the anchorite?" + +"Tezcot, the anchorite's friend, and Mitla, his child, who have come to +pay their respects to him, and hear again the words of wisdom which his +lips are wont to speak," replied the hunter, respectfully. + +"Tezcot and his are ever welcome in the home of Ix, the hermit. Enter, +and find rest." + +Tezcot laid aside his hunter's outfit, and, followed by Mitla, passed +into the recluse's lonely abode. + +The cell, or room, occupied by the hermit as a habitation, was a +natural cavity in the side of the main cavern, situated, as we have +seen, some distance back from the entrance. It was square shaped, and +answered well the purpose for which it was used. + +A burning taper shed a dim and sickly glimmer over the room, giving +barely light enough to reveal its contents. At one side of the +apartment was a couch, made up of animals' skins, and opposite to it a +rough table, on which was placed a burning taper. + +Such was the scanty furnishment of the hermit's cell, except the +necessary arms of a hunter, with which he was supplied, and which were +lying and hanging about the room. + +Good friends, like Tezcot, would often give the recluse sufficient +provisions to last for days, yet he would sometimes venture out on the +mountain, when no eye was near to watch him, in quest of game, which he +seldom failed to secure, for he handled his weapons with efficiency. + +His food was prepared in the main cavern, leaving his cell free from +that inconvenience. + +A question frequently asked, but never answered, was: "Who is he, this +Ix, the hermit?" He was in truth, and to all, a man of mystery. + +The more ignorant of the mountaineers--those who believed the ravine +haunted--thought the mysterious individual superhuman in character, and +shunned the locality as an abode of spirits. Ix encouraged this feeling +and belief among them, so far as he could, though always very grateful +to the few who were above such notions, and who were ever welcome +visitors to his cavern home. + +The hermit could afford no better accommodations than skins thrown on +the ground, as a protection, to sit on, and his visitors were seated in +this manner. When they were comfortably settled, the anchorite said: + +"How is it with my wise friend--thyself, O Tezcot, and those who share +with thee the bounteous favors which bless thy mountain home?" + +"It is well with us. And thou, O friend, hath good or evil come to make +or mar thy peace, of late?" replied the hunter inquiringly. + +"My lonely life is seldom interrupted. Its simplicity could only lead +to peace if the mind were less active. But who can say, O, mind, be +still, and trouble not thyself with what is past, or what may come?" + +The hermit's words showed that he was not in his usual temper of mind. +They indicated that his meditations sometimes disturbed him. On no +previous occasion had Tezcot heard him intimate that disquieting +recollections were ever present to interrupt the peacefulness of his +lonely life. And yet, why not? The man had not always been a hermit. +The surprise to Tezcot was in the yielding of his habitual restraint +upon his speech, so far as to give utterance to such a thought. He did +not immediately respond to the hermit, and, after a moment's pause, the +latter continued: + +"You have come from the world of light, O Tezcot, and know much that is +dark to Ix. If it please you, will you tell me something of what is +passing there? How fares it with the people in the valley?" + +"Why should Ix, the hermit, who has gone from the world to find +seclusion in a mountain fastness, seek knowledge concerning the people +and of what is passing beyond? Does the anchorite tire of his lonely +mountain cell, and long for a place among them, that he turns from his +solitude to inquire after the people's welfare?" + +"Tezcot is wise, but he reads only from that which his eyes behold. +There are sealed records from which even he can not read. Ix is one of +these to all the world, yet not without his sorrows. Memory is not less +bright because of the darkness which hides external things," rejoined +the hermit, with deep pathos in his voice. + +"Tezcot is rebuked," returned he, regretfully. "The wisdom of Ix is +greater than his. The hermit's desire to learn something of what is +passing among the people in the valley shall be gratified. There is +peace on the beautiful Anahuac, and the people appear to be happy; +still, there is unrest and repining beneath it all. The signs bespeak a +coming storm--not of the heavens, which we wot of when the sky is +overcast and chains of fire flash across it--nor yet when the waters +descend and the thunder's deep and awful voice is heard. No, it is not +a storm like that, but one in which the passions of men shall sway them +as the tempest sways the mighty tree; a storm in which blood shall flow +and once more stain and soil the beautiful face of Anahuac; and sorrow +shall find place in the hearts of many people, and lamentation shall +ascend." + +The voice of the hunter was like one inspired. The hermit felt it, and +replied: + +"The language of Tezcot is the language of a prophet. Whose hand is in +the strifeful storm of which he foretells?" + +"The hand of Maxtla, king at the royal city of Azcapozalco, is in it," +answered the hunter. + +At the mention of Maxtla's name, an expression of fierceness came over +the hermit's face, but the taper's dim light did not reveal it. He +inquired, in a voice in which there was evident displeasure, causing +the hunter to give him a closer look: + +"Where is the old destroyer of Tezcucan liberty, Tezozomoc, that Maxtla +is king at Azcapozalco?" + +"The old king is dead," replied Tezcot. + +"The world is none the worse for that, I'm sure," returned the hermit, +showing unmistakable enmity. + +"It is surely not any better since Maxtla is king," answered the +hunter, observing with interest the hermit's relaxing reserve. + +"What would he--this Maxtla of Azcapozalco?" inquired Ix. + +"It is known that he would destroy the Prince of Tezcuco, because of +jealousy and hatred." A gleam of intelligence might have been seen to +light up the anchorite's countenance on hearing these words, but it was +not observed by the hunter, who continued: "The prince is a fugitive, +hunted as a fox by the vassals of the king." + +The hermit was silent and thoughtful for a moment, and then asked: + +"Whence come the signs which speak to Tezcot of an approaching +conflict?" + +"If Ix would read the signs himself, let him go into the valley where +dwell the Tezcucans--the oppressed people of the fugitive prince. The +deadly serpent lies motionless in our path, but should our foot +perchance fall upon it, our destruction would follow swift and sure; +though not more surely than retribution on the man who tramples human +rights beneath his heel," replied the hunter, impressively. + +"The words of my wise friend are full of meaning. They come to Ix like +a message from the world. He will treasure them up and give them +thought, for they are portentous. Things of which the wise hunter hath +no knowledge press heavily upon Ix's mind. His heart is sad because of +the wickedness of men," returned the hermit, in gloomy accents. + +Tezcot was acquainted with some of the hermit's peculiar moods, and +felt, from his manner, that a longer stay would be neither pleasant nor +profitable; so, after a brief silence, he arose and said they would +depart, inasmuch as their absence from home had been prolonged in order +to make the hermitage a visit. + +The hermit expressed his gratification for the visit, and said further: + +"My friend has brought much food for thought, for which I am grateful. +Do not forget, O Tezcot, that you and yours are ever welcome in the +home of the hermit. Tarry not away; for Ix would hear more of the signs +of the hour and what they portend." + +"When the signs speak more clearly I will come again, that Ix may have +knowledge of their import," returned the hunter, turning to leave the +hermit's cell. + +They passed into the main cavern, where a liberal division of the game +was made, of which the hermit received a goodly portion. It was +accepted with expressions of gratitude; and, after the customary +salutations, the visitors took their departure, leaving the recluse to +his solitude and lonely cogitations, the nature of which could only be +surmised. + +The hunter went from the hermitage with conflicting thoughts. He had +talked with the hermit many times, but had never before looked so far +into his character. He was nearer the solution of the oft repeated, but +still unanswered question, "Who is he?" than at any previous time; and +yet his theories were vague and unsatisfactory. He determined to know +more of the man of mystery, and resolved to see him frequently. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +The day was one of brightness and warmth on the mountain where we left +Hualcoyotl and his attendant. The storm of the previous night had +entirely disappeared before the refulgent rays of the morning sun. +Hours came and passed, and the day was three-fourths gone; yet, fairly +well protected in their new quarters, the prince and Oza slept on in an +unbroken slumber, so worn were they from the almost superhuman efforts +of the night before. The sleep of exhaustion was upon them, and the +ordinary noises of the mountain wilds with which they were surrounded +were without effect to disturb them. Now and then a bird would alight +quite near and shie its bright eye at the sleepers, then hurry away. +Animals frisked unconcerned about them, and the pestiferous insect +filled the air with its ceaseless and annoying hum; still the tired +fugitives continued profoundly unconscious of it all. + +Such was the situation of the sleepers about the middle of the +afternoon, when a piercing scream, like the cry of a person in extreme +distress or peril, only much louder and inexpressibly awful, awakened +the slumberers to a sudden impression of impending danger. The prince +quickly raised himself to a listening posture, and exclaimed: + +"What means that cry?" + +"Hist, master; look there! What is that?" spoke Oza, in an excited +whisper, at the same time pointing to an object just above and in front +of them. + +The prince looked in the direction indicated by his attendant, and +there, not twenty feet away, beheld, crouched on an overhanging limb, a +ferocious looking beast, with eyes which shone like balls of fire fixed +menacingly upon them. The animal's lips were parted, showing its great +ugly teeth, which caused a savage grin to overspread its fierce and +threatening visage. Its tail, cat-like and menacing, was moving slowly +to and fro; and, altogether, the monster's appearance was anything but +reassuring to contemplate. The situation was, indeed, alarming. + +The position of the animal was such that, to get away, the prince and +Oza would have been compelled to pass almost under it. To have done +this would have been to invite an immediate attack, which they could +not afford to do in their defenseless condition. + +Hualcoyotl recalled having heard some time in his life that such +animals would not attack a person whose eyes were kept fixed upon them. +The thought suggested the idea that the beast might be kept at bay in +this manner until, tiring, it would leave of its own accord. The plan +was immediately put into execution, and a peculiar contest began. + +The fiercely grinning beast gave stare for stare, and never once turned +its eyes away. For a full half hour, which seemed an age to the prince, +the battle of the eyes went on, and still there was no letting up in +the belligerent attitude of his fierce looking adversary. + +Thus matters stood when there came a sudden thud-like sound, followed +by a terrible howl from the animal, which leaped from its position into +the ravine, falling dead almost at the feet of the imprisoned +fugitives. + +The long, uninterrupted stare into the eyes of the snarling beast had +proven to be a very trying ordeal to Hualcoyotl; and when it sprang so +suddenly into the ravine as if to attack them, he was almost prostrated +from the shock given his tensified sensibilities. He quickly recovered +when he saw that deliverance, from an unknown and unexpected source, +had come to them through the death of the animal. Directly a voice, +apparently just above them, was heard to say: + +"Menke, ye couldn't have missed that feller no how. Queer the brute +'lowed me to come so close; never moved till I sent the jav'lin right +into his ugly carcass. There he lies, sure enough, at the bottom o' the +ravine, dead as a stone. Ol' feller, ye got yer everlastin', an' no +mistake. Hello! What's that?" was the exclamation which followed the +discovery of the prince's quarters. "Looks as ef somebody'd gone to +house-keepin'." + +The foregoing talk was carried on by Menke, the hunter, who was +introduced to the reader in the preceding chapter. It was in the nature +of a soliloquy, in which, as we have before observed, the hunter +frequently indulged. + +In pursuing his hunt through the mountain forests he had chanced to +pass near the place where the prince and Oza were sheltered, and seeing +the animal with fixed attention, crept cautiously up and gave it a +death thrust with the javelin. He was too deeply intent on securing the +animal as a prize to notice the retreat of the fugitives until the +moment his exclamation was uttered. + +Hualcoyotl very naturally concluded, on hearing the voice, that there +were at least two persons in the party. He also surmised, from the +character of the language used, that they were denizens of the +mountains. + +"They are surely not soldiers," he thought, "and may prove to be +friendly." + +The hunter descended into the ravine for the purpose of securing his +prize, hardly expecting to find any one under cover of the shelter he +had just discovered. When he reached the bottom near where the animal +was lying, his eyes fell upon the forms of the prince and Oza, who had +remained quietly waiting developments. He quickly took in the situation +and said, with an air of surprise: + +"Wull, now, what kind of a nest d'ye call that, eh?" + +"It might be a worse one, hunter," returned the prince, recognizing +Menke's calling by his general appearance, at the same time coming out +of his sheltered retreat. "We were endeavoring to get some sleep, after +a very tiresome tramp over the mountain," he continued, "when the cry +of this beast aroused us rather unceremoniously; and for the past half +hour we have been trying to drive it from us by looking it steadily in +the eyes. But it has been provokingly persistent, and might have +worried us out in time, had you not opportunely come along and relieved +us with your javelin." + +"That 'counts for the brute payin' no 'tention to me; 'lowin' me to +come right onto 'im, an' givin' me such a fine show for his skin," +returned the hunter. + +"Yes, its fixed attention made it a splendid target for your javelin. +But, friend, where are your companions?" the prince asked, seeing no +one but the hunter. + +"My companions," quoth Menke. "Don't understand ye, stranger." + +"We certainly heard you talking with someone just before you came into +the ravine," replied the prince. + +"Wull, now, that's so; I was doin' some talkin', I reckon, but it was +to myself. Ye see, stranger, when a feller's alone 'bout all the time, +as I am, he gets real sociable with 'imself, an' falls into that way o' +doin'. No, there's no one 'long o' me, an' ef I did any conversin', it +was entirely onesided," returned the hunter, in his peculiar manner of +expression. "Ye've got a right snug place here," he continued, taking a +look at the fugitives' shelter. "Goin' to stop a while, eh?" + +"That will depend on circumstances," replied the prince. "Do you live +near here?" + +"Wull, no; it's some distance to my place. There are folks livin' +hereabout, but their way o' livin's kind o' tough. Ye'd better go round +'em, stranger. Some good people on the plateaus, though. Now, there's +Tezcot--lives th' other side of yon mountain. He's a man ye can fasten +to an' know ye're safe. He's a kind o' chief 'mong the mountain people. +Ef ye happen to run onto Tez, ye'll find 'im true as his arrer, an' +that's sayin' a heap." + +"We'll try to remember your friend Tezcot, hunter, and should we meet +him, will feel that we are fortunate." + +"S'pose ye're on a huntin' excursion, eh?" said Menke, forgetting the +strangers could not be supplied with arms, else the animal would hardly +have held them prisoners. + +"Well, not exactly. Our business is, to some extent, searching for +roots and berries," replied the prince, expressing a sudden thought +which suggested a way of misleading the hunter and avoiding immediate +discovery. + +"Medicine man, eh?" responded the hunter, in an ejaculatory manner. + +The prince found it necessary to change the subject, which he did by +inquiring: + +"Do you ever get any news from the valley, hunter?" + +"Wull, yes. 'Casionally meet a hunter from there who has news; an' then +the soldiers--thick as mosquitoes round here o' late--they have a heap +to say. Some o' them--the Tepanecs, are lookin' for the Tezcucan +prince, who's hidin' somewhere in the mountains. Maxtla, the new +Tepanec king, is after his life." + +"Have you seen this prince you speak of?" + +"Wull, no; haven't had that pleasure." + +"What would you do, hunter, should you meet with the prince on the +mountain--make him a prisoner and claim the reward?" + +"No, stranger, I'd do nothin' o' the sort; I'd let 'im alone." + +"You certainly have not heard of the extraordinary reward which, I +understand, has been offered for his capture, dead or alive--a noble +lady's hand in marriage, and a rich domain with it, to him who takes +the prince. Is that not worth considering?" said Hualcoyotl, +endeavoring to draw the hunter out still farther, to be more fully +assured that he might trust him. + +"Not to a man o' family, stranger," replied the hunter. + +"With the wealth included in the reward you could support several +wives. The matter of a family would be of small consequence," pursued +the prince. + +"All the same, stranger, I'd sooner be a free man o' the mountains than +to have all Maxtla has to give for the prince's capture. I'll never be +a slave to any man, and surely not to Maxtla. Ef the prince should come +my way, I'll show 'im what a mountaineer can do fur the son o' his +father, a man who was loved by his people fur the good that was in +'im." At this instant a thought occurred to the hunter which caused him +to look sharply at the prince. After a moment of close scrutiny, he +said: "Come to think of it, ye're askin' a good many questions 'bout +the prince. Wouldn't be s'prised ef ye'd turn out to be the 'dentical +chap, yerself. Curious I haven't s'pected that afore. Who are ye, any +way?" + +"Hunter, your expressions of good will assure me that I can trust you. +I have the confidence to believe you would not betray a pursued and +unjustly persecuted man. You see in me Hualcoyotl, the fugitive +prince." As the prince said this he seemed to grow taller, for he stood +proudly erect while he waited for the surprised hunter to speak. + +Menke's astonishment, at finding his suspicion verified, was little +short of amazement. After a moment, he said: + +"Wull, ef I aint clear beat; been talkin' to a live prince all this +time, an' didn't have gumption 'nough to know it." Looking Hualcoyotl +over, he continued: "So ye're the prince. Wull, that knocks me +crookeder 'an that animal's leg; I'd 'bout as soon take yer man fur a +prince. Can't see but ye're just like other folks--nothin' extra, +either." + +The prince could not repress a smile of amusement at hearing the +hunter's very expressive language. Menke continued: + +"D'ye know, Prince, ye took my measure exactly when ye said ye thought +ye could trust me? Ye can do it, sure as ye live. May the next lion I +come across eat me jacket and all, ef ye can't!" + +"Thank you, hunter," returned the prince. "You can not know how much +relief and encouragement your words afford us. Our situation was very +critical before you came to our assistance, and we feel very grateful +to you. The disposition of kindliness which you evince toward us is +most assuring, and makes us feel as if we were not wholly friendless." + +"That's all right, Prince. It doesn't cost much to be obligin', an' it +turns up a good profit; so don't let it trouble ye. Menke--that's +me--'ll do all he's promised, an' more too ef it's needed. How're ye +fixed fur somethin' to eat?" he concluded, thoughtful of the fugitives' +physical wants. + +"Rather poorly, hunter. We have nothing except a little green maize +which we brought with us when we came here--hardly worth mentioning." + +"Ye are a little short, that's a fact. My luck hasn't been the best +to-day. Only got a pheasant or two an' one hare. Ye're welcome to 'em, +Prince." + +"Again we have to thank you, hunter; you are very kind." + +"Can't see why I'm more'n I should be; ye've nothing to eat an' I have; +that means a divide to Menke, Prince." + +"I have often heard of the liberality and hospitable character of the +men of the mountains. You have proven, by your kindness, Menke, that +the report is well founded. + +"It doesn't matter how you put it, Prince; that's our way o' doin'; an' +ef ye've no objection to remainin' here alone, I'll take yer man 'long +o' me--what's 'is name?" he suddenly asked, looking at Oza. The name +was given, and he continued: "Wull, Oza, ef yer master's willin', ye +can g'long o' me, and I'll find ye somethin' more than pheasant an' +hare to eat." + +It was arranged for Oza to accompany the hunter to the plateau, to +bring in such food as he might procure for them. When ready to go, +Menke threw the carcass of the mountain lion (for such it was) over his +shoulder, and started to leave the ravine. + +"Hunter!" called the prince, as he was moving off, "you will keep our +hiding-place a secret. Do not mention to anyone, not even to your +closest friends, that you have seen us; curiosity might lead to our +discovery." + +"Don't 'low any such notion as that to spoil yer sleep, Prince," +returned the hunter. "When Menke undertakes to do somethin', he doesn't +count on callin' in his neighbors. Think he knows what's what, if he +does live on the mountains." With this brusk and emphatic reply he left +the ravine, followed by Oza. + +Hualcoyotl was now alone. His situation was not the happiest, and was +calculated to call up disturbing reflections. + +For some time after the departure of the hunter and Oza, he remained in +his retreat, pondering on his peculiarly trying position. Growing +nervous and uneasy, he concluded to venture out on the side of the +mountain, which he did. Finding a place whence he could observe unseen +the approaches to his quarters, he put himself on guard. As the hours +passed and Oza did not return, he grew still more uneasy. He had eaten +nothing during the day, and hunger was becoming a disturbing influence. +When night came on and Oza had not returned, he felt that some mishap +had certainly befallen him. He went back to his retreat, under cover of +darkness, feeling much depressed in spirits, where we leave him, to +follow the hunter and Oza. + +After leaving the prince, they passed noiselessly down the side of the +mountain and out on to a narrow, level stretch of ground, along which +they went for a short distance, passing, on their way, some rudely +constructed huts, formed of sticks and earth, which were inhabited by +the class of mountaineers referred to by Menke as living tough. + +The hunter's object was to procure for the fugitives a supply of +uncooked food, but he did not deem it expedient to apply to the +occupants of the huts for it, so passed on. + +They had not gone far, after passing the huts, when they were met by a +squad of soldiers, the sight of whom almost paralyzed the heart of Oza. + +"Hist, Oza!" quietly ejaculated the hunter, when he discovered the +soldiers approaching. "Ye're my servant; d'ye understand? Take this +animal on yer back an' fall behind." Oza comprehended, and quickly +obeyed. + +Menke advanced boldly up to the soldiers, and one of them, looking at +Oza's burden, said: + +"What have you there, hunter?" + +"A lion, soldier--a very savage kind of animal. I'd caution ye to look +out fur 'em; they're plenty 'round here, 'specially on the mountains." + +"Your very liberal with your advice, hunter, which may be good, but +think we can take care of ourselves." + +"All right, soldier; ef ye want to furnish a meal or two fur the hungry +beasts, don't 'low me to hinder ye." + +"Never mind the beasts, hunter; we care nothing for them. We're looking +for a different kind of animal--a run-away prince, who is known to be +hiding somewhere in these mountains. Haven't come across such a fellow +in your travels, eh?" questioned the soldier. + +"Wull, now, wouldn't be sure, but think I've seen the man ye're lookin' +fur," returned Menke, making a show of trying to recall the +circumstance. "Yesterday--yes, 'twas yesterday, on th'other side o' the +mountain. Tall chap--" + +"Yes," interjected the soldier. + +"Kind o' dark skin?" + +"Exactly, hunter," again put in the soldier. + +"Was lookin' fur somethin' to eat," pursued Menke. + +"Just what he'd most likely be doing. Think you've seen our man," +replied the soldier. "Could you tell us," he continued, "about where to +look for him?" + +"Wull, now, soldier, I might guess at it, but 'twould be like shootin' +an arrer at the moon--I'd come 'bout as close to one as th'other. Guess +I can't enlighten ye. Sorry, soldier, but I can't," concluded Menke, +moving on, and giving no heed to the scowling looks which followed him. + +The meeting with the soldiers caused the hunter to modify his plans +somewhat. It would not be prudent to build a fire on the mountain, with +which to cook food, while the soldiers remained in such uncomfortably +close proximity. This made it necessary to procure it in a prepared +state. + +The provisions could be obtained at Menke's home, but to go there would +consume much time. Then, there was danger of the soldiers going up into +the mountain in their search for the prince. He ought to be informed of +their presence. And yet, he must have something to eat. + +All this was thought over by the hunter, who finally determined to take +the risk of leaving Hualcoyotl to look out for himself, and started to +procure the victuals from his own home. + +The trip was accomplished as quickly as possible; nevertheless, +darkness overtook them before they got back; and it was well for them +that it did, for they came very near running into a band of soldiers +who were camping close to the point where the hunter had intended +beginning the ascent of the mountain. This made it necessary for them +to retreat and make a detour in order to reach cover. + +The soldiers were becoming numerous on the plateaus, and Menke realized +that sharp practice would be required to elude them. Having become +deeply interested in the welfare of the fugitives, he decided, in view +of the gravity of the situation, to return with Oza to their retreat; +and, with the prince's approval, conduct them to a place of +concealment, at or near his home. + +After some delay a bushy undergrowth, which grew thickly at the foot of +the mountain, was reached, into which, followed by Oza, the mountaineer +disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +Darkness covered the mountains, and the prince still waited impatiently +in his retreat for his attendant to return from the plateau. A feeling +of anxious suspense, mingled with a sense of dread, as if impending +calamity was threatening, oppressed him--a feeling which may cowardize +the bravest heart under less discouraging circumstances than those +which surrounded him at that moment. He was about to leave his shelter +again, to seek relief from the uncomfortable sensation which disturbed +him, when a peculiar cry attracted his attention, and caused him to +rouse up and listen. A moment later, to his great relief, it was +repeated. He moved away from his retreat a short distance, to find a +safe position from which to send back an answer, which, if it were Oza, +would bring him in. The return signal was given and the result awaited +with anxiety. His suspense was brief; for in a very short time two +persons came into the ravine and cautiously approached the sheltered +recess. The prince was not expecting that the hunter would return, and +for a moment was undecided what to do. Oza quickly reassured him by +calling, in a subdued voice: + +"Master!" + +"Here," returned he, leaving his concealed position. + +"Didn't catch ye nappin', eh, Prince?" said Menke. + +"No, my friend; with the anxious listening and watching I have done in +the last few hours that would hardly have been possible," returned he, +and, continuing, he said: "I was not expecting that you would return +with Oza; so when two came, instead of one, I was not sure of its being +him." + +"Hadn't thought of returning to-night, Prince; but findin' danger to +yerself gettin' thicker an' thicker, concluded I'd better come." + +"What have you discovered, hunter?" anxiously inquired the prince. + +"Tepanec soldiers. They're gettin' too thick fur comfort round here. +What they'll do when mornin' comes I wouldn't stay to find out ef I 'as +the one they're lookin' fur," replied the hunter, emphatically. + +"Have you seen the soldiers, that you speak so positively?" questioned +the prince. + +Here Menke gave an account of the meeting with the soldiers going out, +and the difficulties encountered returning. When he concluded, +Hualcoyotl said, despondently: + +"What can I do, or where go, to find safety from my pursuers? Hunter, +you know these mountains well; can't you tell us where we may find +refuge?" + +"That's just what I'm here fur, Prince. Ef ye'll go 'long o' me I'll +try to put ye where ye'll be safe. Ye'll have to take some risk in +goin', but think we can dodge the pesky Tepanecs an' reach my place all +right. Will ye go?" + +"We believe you to be a good friend, hunter, and will trust you. Yes, +we'll go with you." + +"Good! When the night is darkest, and sleep has bound the soldiers, +I'll lead ye from here to a better and safer concealment. But ye must +eat. Here are bread and meat," continued the hunter. "Be liberal to +yerself, Prince; there's plenty more where we're goin'," he said, +giving each a bountiful supply of the provision. + +They all partook heartily of the food; after which Menke insisted that +the prince and Oza should lie down and sleep, while he would remain on +watch. + +When the hour came around for leaving, the still tired fugitives were +sleeping soundly. The hunter aroused them, and said it was time to go. +The food remaining from the supply which he had provided was divided +among them, and they started. + +The prince was not insensible to the peril to which he was about to +expose himself, and, very naturally, experienced some uneasiness in +consequence. He did not doubt the fidelity of his guide, but, realizing +how powerless they were for defense against a band of armed soldiers, +should they be discovered, he could hardly feel otherwise. He did not +follow blindly, but was guarded and ready for any emergency. + +The direction taken to reach the plateau was different from that +followed by the hunter and Oza the day before. This course was adopted +with the hope of avoiding the soldiers known to be encamped at the foot +of the mountain. + +Their progress was slow, and much time was consumed in the descent. It +was finally accomplished, however; but before leaving cover the hunter +made a careful reconnoisance to ascertain if the way was clear. Finding +no indications of the presence of soldiers, the party sallied out upon +the open ground, and cautiously crossed to the opposite side of the +plateau. Turning to the right they moved along in single file, with +gulches, crags and deep ravines to the left of them, and small fields +of ripening maize and chia-plant, scattered here and there on the +tillable ground, lying between them and the mountain they had just +left. The stars shone brightly down upon the trail they were pursuing, +and the trio were proceeding on their way with increased confidence, at +an easy pace, the hunter in the lead. Jam up against him came the +prince and Oza. He had suddenly stopped. + +"Why do you halt?" inquired the prince. + +Menke only had time to whisper in reply, "Escape, ef ye can; we're +discovered!" when they were set upon by a band of Tepanec soldiers. + +The attack was made near a patch of corn, and the prince quickly saw in +it a way of escape. He still carried the stout stick which did him such +excellent service on a former occasion. It was swung into position for +defense, and when the soldiers rushed upon them he met their onslaught +with a resistance they were not expecting. In less time than is +required to record it he cleared a way to the corn, into which he +disappeared, and was lost under the cover of night ere the assaulting +party discovered his intention. Some of the soldiers followed, but to +no purpose; it was a case of life or death to him, and his pursuers +were soon left floundering in confusion behind. + +When the hunter discovered that the prince had gotten away, he quietly +surrendered. + +The soldiers could only have presumed that Hualcoyotl was one of the +party they were attacking. If he was, a sudden seizure would secure +him. On this hypothesis they had no doubt acted. It was not their +purpose to injure anyone unnecessarily, and the struggle ended as +suddenly as it had begun. + +Putting on a bold front, Menke, in a very stern voice, said: + +"Why d'ye jump onto a feller an' his men in this way? We're not +outlaws." + +"Not so sure of that, stranger," answered one of the soldiers, looking +the hunter over. "You are not the man we want, at any rate; one of your +companions may be. Who are they?" + +"They're my servants," replied Menke. + +"Which you expect us to believe, of course," returned the soldier, +doubtingly. + +"Oza, where's Yuma?" inquired the hunter, holding to his assumed +position of master, hoping it would divert the soldiers from a pursuit +of the prince. + +"Yuma ran away like a coward, master," answered Oza, comprehending the +hunter's design. + +"Let 'im go; he'll come back with the sun," said Menke, with a show of +indifference. + +The soldiers were not to be hoodwinked so easily, but proceeded to +inspect Oza closely. After satisfying themselves that he was not the +person wanted, the spokesman turned to the hunter and said: + +"You are quite clever with your tongue, stranger. What you say, may be +true, but we are not obliged to believe it. Your Yuma, who ran away, +showed too much skill to be a servant. We are inclined to believe him +the man we are after." + +"As ye please, soldier. Havin' made up yer mind to think that way, +there's no use o' wastin' words 'bout it; an' ef ye've no further use +fur us, we'll move on," spoke Menke, decidedly. + +"You can go," returned the soldier, shortly. + +The hunter, without deigning to notice the soldiers farther, moved away +from them, followed by Oza. When far enough off to be secure from +observation, he paused to consider what should be done next. + +The situation was rather perplexing. It would not do to signal the +prince; that would attract the attention of his pursuers, and make his +position more critical. The hunter was too shrewd to do that. The only +alternative, therefore, was to wait for daylight to come to their +assistance. Having decided on this course a safe place in which to stop +was found, where we leave them to follow Hualcoyotl. + + * * * * * + +After going some distance into the corn patch, the prince paused to +listen for the noise of pursuit. He could distinctly hear the rustling +of the stalks, but too far away to give him any present concern. He was +safe, he felt, until daylight--at which time, however, he wisely +concluded he would not be if he remained on the plateau; for the +soldiers would surely search it over from end to end, so soon as it +became light enough to see. He must get away, and the sooner he went +the better would be his chances of eluding them. But where should he +go, was the all-important question. His eyes turned toward the mountain +he had just left. + +"No, it will not do to go there," he thought; "there is danger in that +direction." He quickly decided to take an opposite course and started. + +The uncertainty of the situation led him to dismiss at once the +consideration of an immediate reunion with the hunter and Oza, and +caused him to think only of his personal safety. + +He left the patch of corn into which he had fled, and passed stealthily +out onto the uncultivated ground, which he found covered with weeds and +bushes, and very rough. He was compelled to move slowly and pick his +way over it. Coming to another patch of corn he entered it, and after +going a short distance, paused. Casting his eyes about him he +discovered, plainly outlined against the horizon, a mountain, seemingly +not very far off, which until now had escaped his observation, and to +which he determined to go. It took quite a while to reach it, for it +proved to be farther away than he had reckoned. Finally, after a +laborious tramp, he stood at its base, and was glad when he entered its +dense wood where he might rest once more in comparative security. He +went far enough up the side of the mountain to render his position +reasonably safe, where he found a spot which was thickly covered with +bushes, into which he crept to await the morning's dawning. When +daylight spread itself over the scene he was unconscious of it; for he +slept. Later on he awoke to find the sun shining brightly through the +thick foliage about him. His location was found to be well protected +and secure, and he decided to remain in it for the time being. + +The prince's situation was now more discouraging, if possible, than at +any previous time. In his efforts to get away from his pursuers he had +put himself beyond the help of the hunter and Oza. It was hardly +possible that they would find him where he was; and it was out of the +question for him to attempt to go to them. His case was hourly becoming +more desperate. Fate seemed to be driving him helplessly before it. +Thus, in temporary security, we leave him for the present. + +When day dawned Menke and Oza were on the lookout for Hualcoyotl; and +the soldiers were seen scouring their vicinity in search of him. But, +as the reader knows, Menke and Oza, and the soldiers as well, were +doomed to be disappointed, for the man they were looking for was at +that hour sleeping on a mountain, several miles away. + +The soldiers finally gave up the hunt for him on the plateau, and, as +good luck would have it, turned their attention to the mountain he had +previously occupied, believing he had sought the nearest shelter. + +The hunter and Oza waited about the place all day, and when night came +on reluctantly turned their steps toward the home of the former. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +Euetzin and Cacami, with the assistance of their colaborers, had done a +splendid work among the men of their tribe for the cause of Tezcuco. +Everywhere they had labored the Tezcucan heart was thoroughly aroused, +and the secret preparations for resistance to Maxtla's rule were +rapidly assuming proportions highly encouraging to the promoters. The +comrades were now returning to the once proud capital of their nation +to continue the work of organization at the very threshold of the +enemy. + +The work in Tezcuco had been deferred until assurance of success was +made reasonably certain elsewhere; and, now, since a perfect confidence +in the ultimate triumph of their cause was felt by the conspirators, +the work was to be pushed into that city as a final effort in the +creation of the mighty and silent forces which were intended to strike +the shackles from the oppressed Tezcucans. + +The young men reached Zelmonco villa, on their way to the city, in the +afternoon, where they proposed to stop a few hours with Teochma and +Itlza. It was a very happy meeting, for weeks had elapsed since the +tzin and his companion turned their faces away from the home of the +former. + +Itlza's welcome to Cacami was very encouraging to him. The weeks of +absence he was compelled to endure had strengthened the attachment he +had conceived for her, and he was longing for some token of +reciprocation, which would release him from his pledge of silence. He +thought he saw a realization of his hopes in the greeting he received; +and, notwithstanding he was pledged, when he came face to face with the +object of his love he felt that his feelings would impel him to speak, +should the opportunity for doing so be presented. + +The days had not been without effect upon Itlza, too. She had grown +thoughtful, and the thoughts which held her most were thoughts of +Cacami. She had often gone to the oak tree, where she sat for hours +and, dreamingly, lived over again the few pleasant moments she had +spent there with him; and, as the dreaming went on, her heart could not +do otherwise than go out to the object of her thoughts. + +After an hour of pleasant talk, and the subjects of inquiry had been +exhausted, the little party broke up. Euetzin went to look about the +villa, Teochma to see that suitable refreshments were prepared, and +Itlza and Cacami for a short stroll in the park. + +Persons who are in love are usually inclined to reticence in the +presence of the beloved, except when talking on the subject which is +ever uppermost in their minds. Thus it was with Cacami and Itlza. He +was thinking of his promise, and was not a little vexed at himself for +having given it, now that so favorable an opportunity was presented for +pleading his cause. She was thinking of the same thing; and, +remembering that she had exacted the promise from him, was endeavoring +to devise a way to let him know that he was absolved from it. The +consequence was a rather awkward silence between them. He finally +managed to say: + +"How has Laughing-eyes occupied the time since her brother and myself +went away?" + +"As she always does--eating, sleeping, and dreaming," she replied, +jocosely. + +"Were your dreams in your sleeping or waking hours?" he asked, looking +at her with quizzical interest. + +"You should not question so, Cacami. To be truthful I might be +compelled to say in both; then you would think me a dreamer," she +answered, coquettishly. + +"I should never find fault with your dreaming, Laughing-eyes, if I +might be assured of a part in it," he said, with a look of fondness. + +"Selfish Cacami!" she exclaimed, with mock solemnity. + +"Yes, Laughing-eyes, Cacami is selfish where you are concerned," he +rejoined, with unfeigned tenderness. + +She could not mistake the trend of his manner, and hoped earnestly that +he would disregard his promise, and speak the endearing words she had +herself checked upon his lips before she realized that her best love +was his. + +"I must have a care for myself; selfish Cacami might choose to spirit +me away," she said, archly, at the same time giving him a look which +tempted him severely, and almost loosed his tongue. With a heroic +effort he controlled himself, and, with strained facetiousness, +replied: + +"When I do that, Laughing-eyes will furnish the spirit wings." + +To this quasi repartee she answered only with a coquettish little +laugh. + +They had come to the lower side of the park, near the roadway. A short +pause had followed Cacami's last remark, and he was fixedly and +tenderly contemplating his strangely fascinating companion. + +The art of fashioning flowers, as well as feathers, into varied and +beautiful designs was an accomplishment frequently attained by the +native women, and in which Itlza was an adept. She had plucked some +choice varieties, here and there, as she walked along, and wrought them +into a delicate, heart-shaped bouquet. She noticed her companion's +quiet demeanor, and, feeling a magnetic influence from his fixed gaze, +turned to look at him. + +"Why are you so silent?" she asked, her voice expressive of sympathetic +tenderness. She continued: "And what are your thoughts, that the look +from your eyes burns into my very heart?" + +Her eyes were fixed on his as she spoke, and the love-light, which +shone from them, became suddenly intensified. For an instant she was +overcome by the power of his superior magnetism, and, holding out both +hands, involuntarily exclaimed: + +"O, Cacami!" + +When Cacami heard the impassioned cry, and saw the no less impassioned +light which beamed upon him from the liquid depths of her intensely +luminous eyes, the temptation was too strong, and, forgetting his +promise, he impulsively clasped her hands in both his own, and, for one +moment of blissful thralldom, two souls stood blending on the verge of +rapture. + +"Itlza!" called the mother, from the hill above. + +The spell was broken, and the passionate words which trembled on +Cacami's lips remained unsaid. + +Itlza quickly withdrew her hands, and answered her mother's call; but +the flower-heart was left in Cacami's possession. + +With quickened pulse the lovers turned from the blissful spot, and +walked toward the house. + +The emotions which filled the heart and moved the soul of Cacami, in +that to him ecstatic moment, can not be described. Those who have in +like manner realized the dearest wish of a heart's first and purest +love only can know what his feelings were. Itlza had, not in words, but +in the language of soul speaking to soul, surrendered to him the +citadel of affection--her heart, which was typified in the beautiful +heart of flowers which he now possessed. + +An hour in Cacami's society had shown to Itlza how deep was the love +she felt for him; and, ere the moment of revelation came, the little +love-bird which nestled in her heart was fluttering to be released, +that it might sing its song for him. She had wrought the flower-heart +for her lover, but knew not how it would reach him. The moment came, as +we have seen, unexpectedly to Cacami at least, which transferred it to +his hand and revealed to him the fact that he was loved. + +When the lovers came up to Teochma, who stood waiting for them at the +top of the hill, they had overcome their agitation and met her with no +perceptible signs of confusion. She said, with a slight expression of +impatience: + +"Refreshments are waiting, while Cacami and Itlza are lost to the +flight of time, and neglect them." + +"If I have been remiss, the pleasure of a stroll with Itlza must be my +excuse," said he humbly. + +"And, Itlza, what have you to say of your conduct?" asked the mother in +a quizzical but affectionate manner, at the same time watching the +effect of her question. If she thought to fathom the sentiment which +moved the young people she failed; for Itlza answered demurely, casting +an arch glance at her companion: + +"It was Cacami's fault, mother; he had so much to tell that I forgot." + +"Well, well, I'm inclined to think you are both to blame; and since it +is so, I can not scold. But you must be more thoughtful in the future;" +at saying which Teochma turned and led the way into the house. + +After refreshments were served, the family, with Cacami, repaired to +the reception room, where the evening was passed in pleasant +conversation. The young people had no opportunity to communicate +farther except in a general way. Thus they were left for another +interval of time to meditate on what might have been. + + * * * * * + +The tzin was in deepest sympathy with the demands of the hour upon him +from his enslaved countrymen and their subverted government; and, +regardless of the entreaties of his mother and Itlza, and the pressing +desire in his own heart to remain longer, cut short his stay, and with +Cacami, who was sadly disappointed at not being permitted, by even a +brief interview with Itlza, to verify the hopes with which her latest +conduct had inspired him, struck out at an early hour the next morning +for Tezcuco, where the work in behalf of Tezcucan independence was to +be continued. + +On entering the city the tzin felt forcibly drawn toward the palace of +the prince. It had been a home to him for the past eight years, and +now, returning to its very threshold to remain for a time, it seemed +like forsaking an old friend to turn away from it. + +But the place was still under surveillance by the enemies of his royal +master, and, unknown though he was to them, his presence there, he +felt, might expose him to suspicion, which would mark him as a person +to be watched, thereby causing him annoyance and possible interruption +in his labors. He therefore passed it by with a sigh of regret, and +sought accommodations elsewhere, which he found at the home of a +patriotic Tezcucan. + +No time was permitted to elapse unimproved by Euetzin and his +coworkers. The necessary steps, which had become a fixed proceeding, +were taken, and ere four and twenty hours had passed, a council of +leading Tezcucans was organized, and each member of it, with the +obligation still warm upon his lips, was laboring secretly and +zealously for country, home and Hualcoyotl. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +It was in the afternoon of a day a week or ten days subsequent to the +time when Hualcoyotl became separated from Menke and Oza, in eluding +the Tepanec soldiers on the plateau, that Mitla, the daughter of +Tezcot, had gone around the mountains for an hour's pastime with her +bow and arrow; and, having grown weary of the diversion, was returning +home. She had just passed a sharp extension at the foot of the mountain +and was sauntering leisurely along the border of a patch of ripened +chia-plant, which her father's servants had gathered into piles and +left lying on the ground, when her attention was attracted by a distant +yelling, heard from the plateau behind her. She stopped, and, while +listening to the repeated yells, which were growing louder and nearer, +was suddenly startled by the appearance of a man running toward her +from the direction in which the hallooing was heard. He was evidently +fleeing from threatened danger, and almost exhausted. His appearance +was one of deep distress, and when he came nearer she saw that a look +of despair was depicted on his pale and haggard face. She comprehended +the situation at a glance, deciding that he was being pursued by a foe, +and instantly conceived the idea of concealing him. Without waiting for +explanations, she raised a pile of the chia-plant, and, when he came up +to her, told him to get under it, which he tried to do, but only +succeeded in falling in a helpless heap upon the ground. Mitla did not +wait for a further effort on his part, but speedily covered him with +the stalks of the plant where he had fallen. Telling him to lie +still--hardly a necessary thing to do, to a man in his exhausted +condition--she moved quickly from the spot in the direction of her +home. + +The man's concealment had been accomplished none too soon, for Mitla +had taken scarcely a dozen steps when a party of Tepanec soldiers came +in sight around the mountain in hot pursuit of him. So soon as they +came in view she stopped and looked at them a moment; then turned and +fixed her gaze on a rise in the ground just ahead of her, as if +something had attracted her attention to that point. On being asked if +she had seen the fugitive, she answered by pointing in the direction of +the rise. Her ruse was successful, for the soldiers, without further +question, set off on a brisk run. Mitla followed them, to get as far +from the fugitive's hiding place as possible. + +When the soldiers gained the opposite side of the rise they were +completely nonplussed, and appeared undecided what to do. Mitla +approached them with perfect composure, and, when interrogated, as to +what direction she thought the man had gone, encouraged them to think +he had taken to the mountain. This seemed to agree with their own +conclusions, and, to her delight, they dashed away, and were quickly +hidden among the bushes, in search of him. + +Mitla wisely concluded it would not do to go back to the place where +the man was concealed, just then; so, to consume a little time, went on +to the house. After informing her mother and Oxie of her adventure, and +cautioning them not to show any interest in her movements, she returned +by a roundabout way to the chia patch. Coming to the pile of stalks +under which the man was lying, she said--only loud enough for him to +hear: + +"Do not attempt to rise; the soldiers are searching for you among the +bushes near by, and might discover you. You will be informed when all +danger is past." + +After thus enlightening him, she went leisurely back to the house, to +await her father's return from the mountains, where he had gone in +quest of game. + +The hunter returned early, and Mitla told him of her adventure. He +decided at once that the man could not be relieved with safety before +dark. In coming to this conclusion he felt, in his kindness of heart, +that it was hard on the poor fellow to be left in such a trying +position for so long a time, but, with the soldiers in the vicinity and +liable to appear at any time, he must bear it if he would escape. + +The hunter suspected the fugitive's identity, and, while waiting for +night to come, when he could go to his relief, occupied the time in +ruminating as to how he might best serve him. He haply hit upon an idea +which appeared so plausible to him that, with an emphatic slap of the +knee, he exclaimed: + +"Just the thing! I'll save him, or my name's not Tezcot." + +"What is 'just the thing,' father; and who are you going to save?" +asked Mitla, who was present, and somewhat startled by the hunter's +sudden outburst. + +"The prince, child. Who else could I save just now?" he answered, +absently. + +"The prince! what prince?" + +At this moment a revelation came to Mitla's mind, which was quite a +surprise to her, and she said, expressing it: + +"What a simpleton I have been, father, not to have thought of it +before--the man under the pile of chia-stalks is Hualcoyotl, the +Tezcucan prince! Is that what you mean?" + +"Yes, Mit, that is just what I mean." + +"And you think you can save him?" + +"I'm sure I can, Mit," answered the hunter, positively. "But, child, ye +must ask no questions; I can not answer ye." + +"Very good, father. I'm sure you will do whatever you think you can," +she replied, with the confidence of an unqualified belief in his +infallibility. + +The time dragged along very slowly to the kind-hearted hunter after his +conception of a plan for relieving the fugitive. He felt that the poor +fellow must certainly be suffering no little agony in his painful +position, and his sympathy was stirred accordingly. + +Night, which was impatiently waited for, came on at last, enveloping +the mountains in darkness, obscuring from observation objects at a very +short distance. It was the hour of relief for the hapless wanderer +hidden out in the chia patch. + +Tezcot and Mitla quietly left the house, and approached the spot where +the man was concealed. The latter pointed out the pile of stalks which +covered him, and the former lifted them off his motionless form. They +found him in a pitiable condition, quite unable to rise. The hours of +confinement under the chia stalks, together with his previous +enervation, had rendered him benumbed and helpless. He was assisted to +his feet, but his limbs refused to sustain him, and it was found +necessary for the hunter to carry him to the house. He was taken to a +private apartment, and placed on a comfortable couch. A mug of pulque +was given him to drink, after which it was thought best to leave him +for a time to himself, to recover, in a measure, from his spent +condition. + +More than a week of enforced concealment on the mountain, without food +to stay his increasing hunger, had passed to Hualcoyotl since he became +separated from his servant and the hunter Menke. He had not been +disturbed in his hiding place, but the distress arising from his +protracted fasting, together with a consequent nervous anxiety, had +brought him to the verge of desperation. He must, and would, have +something to eat, and, regardless of danger, started out to find it. He +reached the plateau, and having boldly emerged upon it, stood looking +about him for a house where the much needed food might be obtained. +While thus occupied he was made aware of the fact that a party of +soldiers were approaching; they had discovered him, and were watching +his movements. It took him but a moment to determine what he would do. +He did not feel equal to the exertion which would be required in an +effort to elude them by climbing the mountain; so, on observing a +projection extending out from it, only a short distance from where he +was, he promptly decided to round it if possible, and find concealment +beyond. He started off at a careless gait, though feeling very shaky. +When the soldiers saw that he was walking away, they increased their +movement; he did the same, which brought from them a savage yell, which +sent him forward with a bound. For a short distance he ran with his +usual fleetness, but the impelling force was excitement, which did not +last. He succeeded in turning the point, but in an almost exhausted +condition. It was at this juncture he came upon Mitla; what followed, +the reader knows. + +When the hunter returned to the prince's couch, he found him in a very +much improved condition. By a little exertion of his own, aided by the +stimulating effects of the pulque, his circulation was rapidly +reasserting itself, and his forces, though in a weakened state, were +reviving. Refreshments were brought in, of which he was permitted to +eat a sufficiency but not excessively. + +Tezcot avoided referring to the prince's identity, deferring his +inquiries until the latter should be more fully restored. + +Hualcoyotl did not suspect that his host had a suspicion as to who he +was--at least showed no sign that he did. He was inclined to be +reserved and uncommunicative; however, took occasion to express his +gratitude for the kindness shown him. + +The hunter, after giving his unhappy guest all necessary attention, and +assuring him of his safety, left him for the night. + +The next morning Tezcot repaired to the apartment occupied by the +prince, and found him quite comfortable. Food, and a night's rest on a +soft couch--the first he had enjoyed for many days, did wonders in +restoring his exhausted forces. + +The hunter was quite sure that his guest was Prince Hualcoyotl; but +before proceeding to carry out his plan for securing him from further +pursuit, he wished to obtain an acknowledgment of his identity; so, +after assisting him to prepare for the morning meal, he addressed him, +saying: + +"Your presence in this house is known to no one outside of the family +of Tezcot, the hunter." The prince's countenance brightened at once on +hearing that name, which had been spoken of in such warm terms by +Menke, and his hopes were renewed and buoyed by the confidence it +imparted. He listened more attentively while the mountaineer continued: +"Since it is no secret that Hualcoyotl, the Prince of Tezcuco, is a +fugitive, and hiding somewhere in these mountains, you can not be +greatly surprised when told that we think you are that person. Do not +feel any concern for your safety, for Hualcoyotl is as secure with +Tezcot as he would be in his own palace, surrounded by his friends." + +The prince, though surprised that his identity was suspected, was +greatly relieved and encouraged by the hunter's language, and his +confidence went out to him at once; for he felt sure that he had found +in him a friend--a friend who had been raised up to help him in his +darkest hour. To the kindly spoken words of his host he replied: + +"And you are the great mountaineer, Tezcot, the chief of hunters. +Hualcoyotl is indeed fortunate in finding refuge with such a man. The +name of Tezcot relieves me from all concern, for it is an assurance of +good-will and security. For the first time in weeks I am glad to +acknowledge my identity. Yes, glad to say, I am Hualcoyotl. Your +divination is correct, kind friend; for the fugitive prince stands +before you, profoundly grateful for his deliverance." + +It was now Tezcot's turn to be surprised, for he inferred from the +prince's language that he was not unknown to him. Hualcoyotl continued: + +"When the good hunter Menke said that Tezcot was a man true as his +arrow, and worthy of the utmost confidence, it did not occur to me that +I would so soon be thrown upon his generosity. But such are the ways of +the Great Unseen, whose purposes we can not comprehend. Hualcoyotl is +surely an object of His protecting care," he concluded reverently. + +Tezcot was deeply impressed by the exhibition of reference manifested +by the prince for the Unseen Power which seemed to be shielding his +life and proving him in the crucible of adversity, to prepare him for +the great future which then lay hidden before him. Wonder prevailed, +however, and he said: + +"Your words are astonishing. Do you mean to tell me that you have met +the hunter Menke, and yet are here a rescued fugitive?" + +"Yes, Tezcot; but days have passed since we met and were unfortunately +separated," replied the prince. + +"Still, I'm puzzled to account for your being here as you are, after +meeting so good and shrewd a friend as Menke," returned the hunter. + +"No doubt you are; but be assured, kind friend, it was no fault of his +that it is so." The prince went on and related the circumstances of his +meeting with Menke, and what followed. + +"Menke is a good friend, but a little odd," said Tezcot, when the +prince had concluded. "He has no doubt looked for you in every place +but the right one," he continued. "You certainly have reason to think, +from what you have seen of us, that you have nothing to fear from the +mountaineers. If they might do it, I am sure all of them would be glad +to afford you assistance." + +"I believe you, Tezcot, and heartily appreciate the disposition of +friendliness. Especially do I feel thankful to yourself for what has +already been done for me. That such an excellent friend was raised up +to help me so opportunely fills me with unmeasured gratitude." + +"Your feelings are natural; but, my friend, you are not yet beyond +danger. Let us look to your further safety. If you will permit it, I +think something may be done to secure you from any future discomfort, +so far as the Tepanec soldiery is concerned," said Tezcot, getting +round to his purpose. + +"I am in no condition to decline the proffered assistance of anyone, +nor will I that of Tezcot and his friends. My present weal is in your +hands. What would you have me do?" + +"Only this: put your trust in the mountaineers, and follow me without +question. You will have no cause to regret it, should you do so," +replied the hunter. + +"At this moment I am no more than a child. I need no assurance that +your intentions are worthy of my whole confidence. I trust you, my +friend, implicitly; do with me what you will," he answered, showing how +weak and dependent he had become. + +"It is well. When the stars alone shall give light to guide us, we will +go to a retreat which only an army may successfully invade to disturb +you. But, come; breakfast waits." + +When the prince entered the eating-room, his appearance, as compared +with what it was the night before, was greatly improved. His apparel +was considerably soiled; but after a good cleaning and rearranging, +which it had received at the hands of Tezcot's servants, made him +appear more like the well-bred person he was. + +The hunter named each member of his family by way of introduction. +Hualcoyotl immediately turned toward Mitla, and said: + +"To this young woman a debt is due from me which all the wealth of +Anahuac, in my hands, could not cancel. Words are meaningless when +drawn upon to express what I feel for the ready thought which prompted +the action whereby I was saved from an implacable enemy. Hualcoyotl +will ever owe one debt which can not be paid." + +Mitla was greatly embarrassed by the words and manner of the prince, +addressed to her so unexpectedly; yet, after a moment's hesitation, she +recovered herself, and said: + +"Your words are very kind, and more than repay me for what I did to +save you from your pursuers. I shall always be glad that I was where I +could help you." + +The prince was pleased with her reply. It showed a degree of +intelligence he was not expecting to find in a mountain girl, and he +said: + +"I am having a peculiarly diverse as well as adverse experience. +Yesterday I was a miserable, suffering fugitive, hunted by a relentless +foe into a condition of absolute incapability; this morning the +conditions are entirely and happily reversed by your wonderful presence +of mind at a rare and perplexing moment. In the midst of extremest +adversity I am suddenly brought to realize a sense of security and +happiness by being thrown upon the generosity of this most generous +family. First there comes to me this morning the kindly expressed +sympathy of the noble hunter, Tezcot, assuring me of my safety; and now +the generous words of my admirable young preserver. What can I say in +return for your magnanimity?" + +"Don't try to say anything, Prince. Forget your gratitude for a little +while; cease to praise us, and fall to eating heartily, that you may +have strength to endure what is before you," interrupted the host +pleasantly. + +"One could not do less than eat heartily in this excellent mountain +home," he replied, looking kindly at Zoei. + +Tezcot rejoined in a jocular manner, and the conversation continued, +varying as the meal progressed. + +Breakfast was over, the prince had retired to his apartment, and Tezcot +was gone. The latter had taken his hunting outfit and disappeared, but +not without a word of caution to the former. + +It was not an uncommon thing for the hunter to take his javelin, bow +and quiver, and go away for a day's hunt; so, on this occasion, there +was nothing thought of it. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +It was mid-afternoon, and quiet reigned in and about the mountaineer's +home. Tezcot was still on the mountain, where he had gone in the +morning, presumably to hunt. Hualcoyotl, though still very weak from +privation and the effects of the distressing ordeal through which he +had passed the previous day, was enjoying, in undisturbed seclusion, a +peacefulness of mind he had not experienced since his wanderings began. +Mitla and Oxie were passing a leisure hour in the inviting shade of a +large cypress tree, which stood a short distance from the house. To +this spot they often went to while away their unoccupied time in +chatting, and, if industriously inclined, to fashion some article for +the adornment of the person or home. Mitla, on this occasion, was +engaged in arranging a piece of feather-work, while Oxie, less +diligent, lazily disposed herself on the warm, dry sward near by. + +The happiness of innocent girlhood was enjoyed by both these maidens, +for no disturbing influence had, up to this time, come to mar the +rustic simplicity of their lives. The passion of love, which sooner or +later stirs the heart of youth, was yet unknown to them. + +Oxie was saying: + +"I think the prince is very handsome, sister, don't you?" She spoke +with shyness, as if the expression involved a thought to which she +ought not give utterance. Mitla looked up with no little surprise and +said, inquiringly: + +"When did your eyes open to the thought that men are sometimes +handsome, Oxie?" + +"My eyes have long been open to that which is attractive, Mitla. Would +you have me close them now, that the object is a man?" she replied, +with some show of impatience. + +"Not so, sister; but coming from you, the words sounded oddly. It seems +only yesterday that you were a child. Your question tells me you are +one no longer. But to answer you: The prince is fine looking, yet does +not impress me as being admirable. Under more favorable circumstances +he would, no doubt, be quite handsome." + +"It is when he speaks that the beauty of his countenance is seen," said +Oxie with more courage, which Mitla's answer had imparted. "His eyes +are so bright, they fairly dazzle one. When he spoke to you this +morning at breakfast I could not help admiring him. It surely was not +wrong, sister?" + +"I can not say if it was wrong or not; yet, Oxie, I would not encourage +such thoughts; they might wound your heart," replied Mitla, not yet +having realized that older hearts than Oxie's were subject to +impressions that often wound. + +"Why do you say that, sister?" asked Oxie, somewhat curiously. "Why +should it wound my heart to think well of the prince's looks?" + +"Do you know what such thoughts lead to, Oxie?" rejoined Mitla, +soberly. + +"I can not say that I do; but surely not to anything serious?" still +curious. + +"Well, sister, I will tell you. After admiration follows love, which in +this case would indeed be serious. The folly of a mountain girl falling +in love with a noble, and he a prince at that, should be apparent even +to you, Oxie," Mitla answered, a little severely. + +"Why folly, sister, if her love should be returned?" asked the +infatuated maiden. This was too much for Mitla's philosophic mentality, +and she concluded that a further discussion of the subject would only +tend to strengthen the impressions made upon Oxie's inexperienced mind +by the person of the young prince. She answered evasively: + +"I only know, sister, from what I have heard, and think I would prefer +to say no more about it. See!" she suddenly exclaimed, "yonder comes +father. Let us run to meet him," and away they sped to meet the hunter, +whose appearance was hailed by Mitla as being very opportune. + +"You are early at home to-day, father," she said, when they came up to +him. "Has anything happened to you?" + +"Yes and no, child. You double up your questions so, I scarcely know +how to answer," said he, in reply. "I was a little anxious about the +prince, and returned earlier on that account. He's all right, eh?" + +"He seems to be, father. We would not know that he is in the house, +from any noise he makes," answered Mitla. + +"Where is your game, father?" inquired Oxie, noticing that he brought +none with him. "You never before came home with an empty hand." + +"No, child; not if I were hunting." + +"Have you not been hunting, father," she pursued. + +"No, Oxie. Other business has claimed my attention to-day." + +"I can guess where you have been, father," said Mitla, eager to give +expression to a suddenly conceived thought. + +"I wouldn't wonder, child, if you should," he replied, apparently +indifferent as to whether she could or not. + +"You have been to see the hermit. Am I not correct?" + +"Yes, Mit, you are correct. I went to have a talk with Ix about the +prince." + +"I know now what you meant yesterday, when you declared you would save +the prince, while he was still under the chia stalks," added Mitla. "It +was thoughtful in you to see in the hermitage a refuge for him," she +continued, her voice expressing approval, which was also reflected on +her animated countenance. "Will the hermit approve of it?" + +"Yes, child, but I'd rather not discuss the matter farther now. I'll +tell you all about it another time," urged the father, kindly. + +They were drawing near to the house, to enter which they were obliged +to pass the little window of the prince's apartment, at which he was +seated, looking out. The hunter and Mitla greeted him with a friendly +smile of recognition as they passed. Oxie, who had fallen behind for a +moment, to pluck a few flowers which she arranged into a neat little +bouquet, on coming to the window, blushingly handed them to him. He +looked pleased, and acknowledged the gift by saying: + +"You are very good to remember me in this manner. Your kindness, Oxie, +will not soon be forgotten." + +There was that in the voice and manner of the prince which affected the +simple, girlish heart of Oxie greatly. She was too much confused to +reply, and, dropping her eyes under his piercing look, hurried on after +her father and Mitla, who had already entered the house. + +Hualcoyotl was always considerate of the feelings of those with whom he +came in contact, no matter what might be their station in life; as a +consequence he was kindly regarded by all who came, in any degree, to +know him. His words addressed to Oxie, in acknowledgment of the gift of +flowers, were spoken with no thought other than that of kindness; yet, +what he said was indelibly fixed on her keenly receptive mind, +especially the words: "Your kindness, Oxie, will not soon be +forgotten." They would prove a secret treasure put away in memory's +hidden recesses to be drawn upon + + "When in silent, contemplative mood." + + * * * * * + +When the mountaineer left home in the morning, instead of going to hunt +he went directly to the hermit's cave. His purpose was to have a talk +with Ix, the "man of mystery," regarding the prince, and to arrange for +bringing him to the cavern for safety. He felt sure the hermit would +raise no objections to having the fugitive for a close neighbor, if not +a companion. He was received with the hermit's accustomed cordiality, +and listened to with close attention while he made known the object of +his visit. + +Notwithstanding his habitual serenity, Ix gave evidence in his mien of +both interest and sympathy as the account of the prince's distressed +condition, when rescued, was told to him by the hunter. He said +nothing, however, until the latter was through. + +"I know not of what blood you are, O Tezcot, nor do I ask to know; but, +from the words you have often spoken in my presence, to which I have +hearkened with pleasure, together with the deep concern you now +manifest for the welfare of the Prince of Tezcuco, I am assured that +you are kindly disposed toward his people. Although Ix is without a +country, still he has his preferences. Your sympathy for the young +prince finds an echo in my lonely heart. Fetch him hither, good friend, +and let him abide with me, for mine is a dreary cell to which his +presence will bring a welcome relief." Such was Ix's gratifying +response to Tezcot's plea for Hualcoyotl. + +Expressing his gratification in a very hearty manner for the hermit's +ready consent to receive the prince as a companion, and promising to +see him again in the evening, accompanied by the latter, the hunter +took his departure. + +After leaving the cavern, Tezcot went to talk with a few of the leading +mountaineers about the prince; and, especially, with reference to +putting the hermitage under a close surveillance. The cavern would +afford a comparatively safe refuge as it was, but to make it so beyond +a doubt was an important part of the hunter's plan. To do this would +require the cooperation of a number of his friends. He found the +mountaineers whom he went to see cheerfully acquiescent, and ready to +assist in any way they could. + +In order that no delay might ensue in arranging for Hualcoyotl's +security it was decided that a council of friendly hunters should be +held at one of their homes, conveniently located, where explanations +could be made and an organization effected to meet the exigency. +Runners were dispatched accordingly, to notify those whose presence at +the council was particularly desired. After matters were shaped +agreeably to the hunter's ideas, he turned his footsteps homeward, +where his arrival has already been noted. + +Everything was working well for securing the safety of the royal +fugitive, and greatly to the satisfaction of his deeply interested +friend, who felt in his big heart a profound sense of self-approval for +what he was doing for suffering Tezcuco, by giving aid to her +persecuted prince. + + * * * * * + +Night came on, and the mountaineer's home was enveloped in deep +darkness. The hour was at hand when Hualcoyotl was to be conducted +thence to the hermit's cave. In taking leave of the hunter's family he +had words of kindness for all, especially for Mitla, whom he looked +upon as a deliverer, and toward whom he felt a profound sense of +gratitude. He could not forget that her quick thought and ready hand +had saved him from capture and a subsequent cruel death at the hands of +his enemy, and placed him in the way of a final escape, as he believed, +from his pursuers. Whatever that was worth to him he owed to her. + +To Oxie he said, holding up the little bouquet of flowers she had given +him a few hours before: + +"I bear away with me this token of your kindness, Oxie. It will soon +fade and pass from my keeping; not so a recollection of the giver. +That," turning to Zoei, "with the remembrance of the peaceful hours I +have enjoyed beneath your hospitable roof, will pass from me only with +my life. Good-by." The next moment he was gone, disappearing with his +conductor in the deep shadows of the night. + +There was no particular danger to be feared on the way to the +hermitage, except a possible attack from some prowling beast; still +Tezcot deemed it prudent to go armed for any emergency. He had +undertaken to do a thing, and was firm in his purpose that nothing +should intervene, through any act or omission of his, to prevent its +accomplishment. He was wide awake, and his uncommonly quick ear and +penetrating eye were wonderfully alive to the surroundings, ready to +catch any sound, or spot any object, of a suspicious nature which might +suddenly arise. + +The prince's enervated physical condition, together with the roughness +of the ground over which it was necessary to pass, made their progress +unavoidably slow. He had the utmost confidence in his conductor, and +followed him in silence. However, not having been informed as to their +destination, his mind was actively ruminating amid the realms of +conjecture and anticipation. + +Not a word was spoken by either, after leaving Tezcot's house, until +the cavern was reached, and then not before the signal was given, and +Ix's deep and solemn voice was heard in answer to it, bidding them +welcome to his humble abode. + +The hermit's expression of language was always impressive, especially +so in the presence of those whom he looked upon as having superior +intelligence, entitling them to consideration. The presence, therefore, +of the Prince of Tezcuco was of sufficient importance to call for his +most imposing manner. + +After Tezcot had in a few words introduced the prince to his cavern +retreat and its mysterious occupant, and the prince had given +expression to his great surprise and gratification, the hermit said +significantly: + +"The wise hunter counted well when he numbered Ix among the friends of +Hualcoyotl;" then turning to the latter he continued: "Content yourself +with me, O Prince of Tezcuco, until the great Huitzil is ready to +avenge you, which he will surely do." + +We will not pause to detail what followed at the hermitage on this +occasion, except to say briefly, that Tezcot, after assuring himself +that the prince would be comfortable, and promising an early return, +took his leave, saying as he did so: + +"The gods befriend you both, and confuse the emissaries of Maxtla." + +A no less sincere benediction from two grateful hearts followed the +departing friend. + +The hermit and prince were alone. What transpired between them the +reader will be left to conjecture. We will say, however, that the +association resulted in a friendship which proved of inestimable +advantage to both of them in an auspicious future. + +Tezcot went from the hermitage to the meeting of the friendly hunters, +which resulted in the organization of a mountain patrol, and anyone +going to the hermit's cave the next morning would have found its +approaches watched by eagle eyes in hunter's guise. + +Thus we leave the fugitive prince, who had at last found a perfect +refuge, where he could bide his time without fear of molestation. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +The spirit of rebellion among the Tezcucans was now thoroughly aroused, +and never did agitators meet with greater success than had those who +were working under the direction of tzin Euet. The secret councils, +which were to constitute the army of resistance to Maxtla's despotic +rule, sprang into existence so rapidly as to surprise even the +conspirators themselves. With these encouraging conditions the time +arrived when it was deemed advisable to locate the prince, and, if +possible, communicate with him. As the royal representative of his +people, it was felt that he should be informed of the progress which +had been made in his favor; and also be consulted with reference to the +future movements of his friends in the valley. This duty very naturally +from the tzin's peculiar position and relation to the fugitive devolved +upon him, and his next move was to be in the direction of the mountains +in search of him. + +The prince's friends were assured by the continued silence of the +Tepanec soldiery that he was still at large, and hidden somewhere in +the mountains; for his capture or death at their hands would have been +quickly heralded throughout the valley. + +As the immediate neighborhood of the fugitive's hiding place was +unknown to the tzin, in starting out to find him he would have to be +guided in a great measure by reports coming through the enemy. +Notwithstanding this was the case, he felt confident of success and was +eager to be on the move. He was just now waiting for Cacami to come in +from his home, where he had gone to visit with his people. As his young +compatriot, who had become his closest friend, was to accompany him, +the time of starting on the expedition depended on his return. + + * * * * * + +It was the day of all days in the city of Tezcuco, as was a similar one +in all the cities of the valley: the people's market day. And here let +us digress long enough to acquaint the reader with the exigencies which +rendered such a day necessary; and also to briefly notice some of its +features. + +The business methods of the Anahuacans were peculiar. They had neither +shops nor stores of a public character where goods of any description +were displayed and sold. Only on the _tianguez_--great square, or +market-place--which every city possessed, were the products of the +country exhibited for barter or sale. + +The trades were not carried on in the ordinary way, but each particular +mechanical pursuit was localized in some suitable portion of the city +and placed under the supervision of a chief; and, it may be added, had +its tutelary god and attendant celebrations. + +Their merchants, who were usually very wealthy, might better be termed +merchant traders. They were itinerant in character, and did a transient +business, moving through the country at the head of a caravan, composed +of _tamanes_ (burden-bearers) and an adequate guard for protection. +They visited the larger cities to be present at the weekly fairs, +market days, which were conducted on a colossal scale in the great +square, the city's tianguez. On these occasions, which occurred +regularly once a week (a week in the chronological reckoning of the +Anahuacans consisted of five days), every branch of industry was +represented separately in suitably arranged booths; and both great and +small, from far and near, were present to buy or sell, or more +frequently to exchange their produce and wares for needed articles of +consumption. + +Here was an individual who talked persuasively of the superior finish +and beauty of his jewelry--it was not necessary to speak of its +genuineness, for spurious goods were presumably unknown to the natives; +a condition which no doubt existed, because of the unlimited supply of +genuine raw material, and, we may add further, owing to the severe +penalties prescribed for fraudulent impositions on the people. Another +no less glib talker exploited in appealing voice, and flourished his +flaunted featherwork before the eyes of the swarming multitude, all of +whom delighted in this beautiful but expensive luxury. Others--dealers +in sacred images and silver and earthenware, makers of furnishings and +apparel, and last, but not least, the farmer, with his products of the +soil, all bent on gathering in the cash, which consisted of quills of +gold dust, Ts of tin, and bags of cacao, a kind of money which +precluded the possibility of hoarding, leading us to conclude that no +misers had a place among the Anahuacans. Blessed money, that gave no +encouragement to the avaricious! + +The tzin, to while away some of his unemployed time, which was +beginning to hang heavily on his hands, had come upon Tezcot's +_tianguez_, and stood silently observing the peculiarities and +movements of the people, gathered there from all the country around, +many of whom, like himself, were present out of curiosity, though the +purpose of nearly all, an army in numbers, appeared to be to trade, +buy, or sell. + +While thus occupied in contemplating the wonders of the great fair and +its heterogeneous patrons, his attention was attracted by a pulling at +his mantle. Turning quickly to learn the cause, he stood face to face +with Oza, the prince's attendant. + +"Oza!" he exclaimed. "Do I dream, or is it indeed you?" + +"You do not dream, good master Euet. It is Oza." + +"How is it, man, that you are here, and where is your master?" quickly +inquired the tzin, somewhat apprehensive. + +"I would have much to tell you to answer your question," said Oza in +reply; and looking around upon the crowd, he added: "The people might +hear." + +"True, Oza. We will find a more suitable place to talk. But you look +tired and hungry. Have you had anything to eat to-day?" + +"Only a little in two days, master." + +"Follow me," said the tzin, leading the way to a refreshment stall, +where food was procured and Oza's hunger appeased. When this was done, +they left the _tianguez_ and went to the tzin's boarding place. + +"Now, Oza," said he, when they were comfortably fixed in his private +apartment, "tell me about the prince, and why you are here. What has +occurred to cause your return to the city? Did he send you?" + +"No, master Euet; the prince doesn't know I'm here," replied the +servitor, in answer to the tzin's last question. + +"The prince does not know you are here!" exclaimed Euetzin in +amazement. "How does that happen? Have you not been with him?" + +"Yes, master, up to a few days ago, when we lost him in a fight with +the soldiers." + +The doubtful character of Oza's phraseology, taken in connection with +his unexpected and, as yet, unexplained appearance in the city, was +sufficient cause for increased apprehension in the tzin's mind of some +serious mishap to the prince. He was much disturbed by Oza's clumsily +worded reply, and, at its conclusion, exclaimed: + +"Lost him? Do you mean to tell me that the prince has been killed or +captured?" + +"No, master Euet; not so bad as that," Oza quickly rejoined. "The +prince got away all right, but we couldn't find him afterward." + +"That sounds quite differently, and relieves me greatly," returned the +tzin, feeling very much inclined to scold Oza for his awkwardness of +speech, but the man was only a slave, and better could not be expected +of him. "Who was with you beside the prince when the soldiers made the +attack?" the tzin then asked. + +"Menke, a hunter." + +"I can not understand, Oza, how the prince could evade the soldiers, +and, also, become separated from the hunter and yourself, unless it was +under cover of darkness," queried the tzin. + +"It was dark, master--away in the night; the hunter was taking us to +his own home," answered the servant. + +"I see," rejoined Euetzin, beginning to comprehend the situation. "That +explains the matter more fully. You said you could not find the prince. +Did you make much of an effort to do so?" + +"Yes, master; for three days we looked for him." + +"And failing to find him you returned to the city?" + +"Yes." + +By continuing to question the vassal at some length, the tzin succeeded +in eliciting a fairly good account of Hualcoyotl's experience after +leaving Zelmonco villa, confirming, in the one instance, Cacami's +supposition that it was the prince he rescued from the Tepanec soldiers +on the highway. In concluding he asked: + +"Could you conduct us to the place where the soldiers attacked you?" + +"Will you go, master Euet?" questioned Oza, omitting, in his eagerness, +to answer the inquiry. + +"That is our present purpose," was answered. + +"It is good; I can lead you," quickly responded the delighted vassal. + +"All right, Oza. Your return to the city, just now, is very fortunate +for us, though quite the reverse for your master, for it makes his +situation still more desolate and trying. It relieves us, however, of a +perplexing quandary--the matter of finding the locality in which he is +hiding. As our guide, you will help us out of that difficulty, and put +us into position to enter upon the search at once. That is an advantage +we were not counting on." + +After a moment's pause, having noticed the destitute condition of the +servant, he continued: + +"Your appearance, Oza, is not what it should be; the attendant of a +prince ought, at least, to be clothed." + +Rising, as if to go, he went on: + +"I will go at once to look after your needs. In the meantime you will +remain in my apartment," on saying which he withdrew, and returned to +the _tianguez_ to procure the necessary articles for Oza's apparel. + +Cacami came back to the city that same evening, and Oza's story was +repeated to him. Euetzin also informed him as to the course he had +decided on pursuing, since a definite knowledge of the prince's +whereabouts had been obtained. + +After hearing what his friend had to impart, and being asked for his +opinion, Cacami said: + +"Your plan is good; still, I think there is a better one. Have I your +permission to make it known to you?" + +"Certainly, Cacami; I desire that you will speak freely; was it not so, +I should not have asked for your opinion," was the assuring reply. + +"Oza would, no doubt, conduct us to the spot where he last saw his +master, and, if necessary, to Menke's," he proceeded to say; "but, tzin +Euet, there are other considerations to be taken into account, which +make the course I would suggest more preferable. If I get a correct +impression from your rehearsal of Oza's report, the prince's +disappearance occurred within a few leagues of the mountaineer Tezcot's +home, a man with whom I had the satisfaction of spending two very +pleasant evenings and one day the last time I was on the mountains. My +plan would be to go directly to Tezcot's. If the prince has been +discovered he will, very likely, be apprised of it; if not, he can give +us any information we may want, for he knows every mountaineer on that +range and every foot of ground for leagues around; and, by the way, is +the most generous of hosts." + +"Master," said Oza suddenly and eagerly, interrupting Cacami, "I heard +Menke speak to the prince about a great hunter named Tezcot." + +"There, tzin Euet!" exclaimed Cacami; "that certainly strengthens the +plausibility of my plan. Then think of the fact that a hospitable +reception will be given us, with the added pleasure of meeting two +charming maidens." + +"Your last information, O Cacami, commends the course you propose to +our serious consideration. We will go directly to Tezcot's, as you +suggest," said the tzin, facetiously. + +The point of destination having been decided upon, preparations for an +early departure were begun at once. In two days the party was ready to +start. The tzin and Cacami were dressed and equipped as hunters, while +Oza, in fresh attire, after a good rest and cleaning up, looked like +another person, and accompanied them as an attendant. Hunting parties +were a common, every-day sight on the streets and highways, +consequently their appearance in leaving the city attracted only a +passing notice. They stopped at the villa, on their way out, to refresh +themselves and say good-by to Teochma and Itlza. We will not pause to +narrate what transpired there, or describe the parting, except to say: +Let the reader imagine a mother's deep concern for her son; a sister +and sweetheart's pale, sad face as the brother and lover take their +leave, the latter showing no signs of the feelings which fill his +breast, save those which Itlza alone is permitted to see; an +affectionate waving of hands as the young men go out of sight, and the +moments of sadly thoughtful silence which follow. + + * * * * * + +Almost two days of continued walking, much of the journey over a rough +and hilly way, found Euetzin and his party nearing their destination. +The sun of the last afternoon seemed, to the tired wayfarers, to move +reluctantly away from the meridian, and to finally approach, at a +snail's pace, the western horizon. Time may appear to pass quickly or +slowly, yet it is unchangeable, and Old Sol, its mighty keeper, marks, +with unerring regularity, the recurring periods of morning and evening. +So, on this day, the latter came in due season, and with it, stealing +softly over the scene, the gray and sombre light which precedes the +slowly falling night-shades in the mountains, followed by the +inharmonious and strikingly dismal croaking of the multi-vociferous +heralds of night, rising from mountain pools and gorges, with an added +gloom from the doleful notes of the whippoorwill. Such were the last +hours and ending of the journey, which our friends had accomplished, +when Cacami suddenly exclaimed: + +"We are through at last, for yonder house is the mountaineer's home." + +Then, falling behind, he continued: + +"You take the lead, tzin Euet, and make such inquiries as may please +you." + +They soon stood before the hunter's dwelling, and the tzin, passing +under the porch, was met at the door by Mitla, who, in answer to his +inquiry if that was Tezcot's, said: + +"Yes, this is Tezcot's. Will you come in?" + +"We will, if refreshments may be obtained," he replied. + +"Our evening meal is now being prepared. When it is ready you will be +welcome to share it with us." + +This was said with so much cordiality that Euetzin led the way into the +house without farther questioning. + +"Cacami!" exclaimed Mitla, when she recognized him. "You here, and +allow your companion to ask if this is Tezcot's?" inquiringly. "But, I +see, you wished to surprise us. Well, at any rate, I am glad to bid you +welcome, and your companions as well." + +Cacami presented the tzin, formally, who was struck with wonder and +astonishment at meeting, under such surroundings, a girl so bright and +charming. His feelings would have been very different had he known that +from childhood Mitla had been schooled by the presence, in her father's +home, of many of the best-mannered and most intelligent men of the +Anahuac, who came to the range on excursions, and who always made it a +point to have a meal, if nothing more, with Tezcot. Ignoring sentiment, +however, he proceeded at once to the prosecution of his mission by +inquiring if the hunter was at home. + +"Yes, I am here; what would you have of me?" answered Tezcot himself, +who at that instant entered the room through an inner door. + +"Meat and drink, and, in addition, important information," replied +Euetzin. + +"Meat and drink you shall have, but the information will depend on the +nature of it." + +At this moment he discovered in Cacami his former hunter guest, and +exclaimed: + +"Well, well, my Tezcucan friend; you may give me a prey to ocelotls if +I'm not glad to see you! Your coming here at this time augurs well for +me. Who are these, your companions?" he asked, looking first at the +tzin and then at Oza. + +"That is Euetzin, better known as tzin Euet; and this other person, +Oza, our attendant," answered Cacami, designating each. + +Tezcot's countenance fairly shone with satisfaction and pleasure as he +said, addressing Euetzin: + +"Tzin Euet, I am very, very glad to meet you just now. The discovery of +Cacami, joined to your inquiry for important information, led me to +surmise that you might prove to be Euetzin or some other person who +would meet an exigency which has this day arisen; and I am more than +gratified to learn that it is yourself. Oza's presence here with you +explains your errand. You are in search of Hualcoyotl?" he said, +questioningly. "Your arrival at my house to-night is most opportune, +for it makes easy, or rather relieves me of, an important and +perplexing duty. The morning's dawn would have found a messenger on his +way to Tezcuco to find and inform you of the prince's safety; also to +request you to come here immediately." + +"Are we to understand that Hualcoyotl is safe, and that you know where +he is?" interrupted the tzin. + +"Yes, I know where he is; and farther, that he is safe so long as +Maxtla is kept in ignorance of his hiding place. An army might reach +him, but never a band of soldiers." + +"Your information is most cheering. We came here thinking you might +know something of him; and that we did so is fortunate indeed," replied +the tzin; and forgetting for the moment his tired condition in his +desire to see his friend, he said: "With your permission we will go to +him at once." + +"No, not to-night; you shall see him to-morrow," replied Tezcot firmly. +"At present he is needing rest. I would not disturb him at such an +hour." + +"You say well, friend, and we cheerfully defer to your wisdom. But will +you not explain how the prince came to be so well secured?" + +"Yes, after supper, which I see is waiting for us." + +After disposing of their equipments the young men were conducted to the +eating room, where an excellent repast was spread for them, to which, +after ablution, they did ample justice. + +During the meal Mitla's eyes frequently encountered those of the tzin; +and as often as they did she felt that subtle influence, call it +magnetism, if you please, which impresses itself so forcibly and +mysteriously upon the susceptible mind, awakening suddenly and +unconsciously feelings that may be described by only one little word. +So it was in this supreme moment with Mitla, when for the first time +she stood face to face with her fate. + +In the conversation which followed during the meal Euetzin addressed +her several times, and was so well pleased with her charming manner +that he resolved to know her better. + +When the meal was finished the men were reconducted to the family room, +where Tezcot proceeded to give an account of the prince. He related +what he knew of his experience after becoming separated from Menke and +Oza, up to the time of his concealment by Mitla under the pile of +chia-plant, which resulted in saving him from capture. At this juncture +the tzin became intensely interested, and when he fully comprehended +the invaluable service rendered his royal master by the beautiful girl, +he interrupted the hunter by saying: + +"Your daughter did that?" + +"Yes, it was she who saved the prince from his pursuers," answered he, +proud of his favorite's conduct. + +"Noble girl!" passionately exclaimed the tzin. "All loyal Tezcucans +will bless her name." Then to the hunter, earnestly: "As the nearest +friend of Hualcoyotl, I would like to express to her the profound +gratitude of a Tezcucan. Will you kindly request her to come here?" + +Tezcot, appreciating the high estimation in which Mitla's conduct was +regarded by a Tezcucan lord, especially by the first friend of the +prince, bade her come into the room as requested. + +Euetzin rose to his feet as Mitla entered, and, looking admiringly at +her, said: + +"Your father has just informed us that to you we are indebted, as +Tezcucans and friends of Hualcoyotl, for his continued existence. My +life is pledged to his service; the hand that strikes at him strikes at +me; the hand that reaches out to save him I would bless. As the rescuer +of Hualcoyotl, your name will be long and kindly remembered by +Tezcucans everywhere, and, as one of them, I would here and now express +to you the grateful thanks of my people; and farther, as a pledge of my +sincerity, I desire that you will accept from me this little token, a +souvenir of the great service you have rendered a deeply stricken +nation, and also as a mark of my personal appreciation." As he +concluded, the tzin placed in her hand a beautifully wrought miniature +shield of gold, on which were engraven the armorial emblems of the +royal family of Tezcuco. It was a highly prized keepsake which he had +long carried on his person, and it required more than mere sentiment to +cause him to part with it. + +While Euetzin was speaking, Mitla stood with eyes cast down, but when +he was done, raised them to his face. A glistening moisture was seen to +gather on her beautiful, dark lashes as she said: + +"Your great kindness has filled my heart with a strange feeling. My +tongue refuses to utter the words I would speak. I can only thank you +for your beautiful gift, and for thinking well of what I did for the +prince." + +"No words which you might utter would add to the favor and esteem to +which you are entitled, and which you will have, from the friends of +Hualcoyotl," said the tzin, earnestly. + +Tezcot, observing the embarrassment under which Mitla was placed, +motioned for her to withdraw, which she was glad to do. + +The account of the prince's rescue was continued to a conclusion, and +the young men, glad of an opportunity to lie down, were disposed of for +the night. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +Munificent Old Sol, never more brilliant, had covered fully half his +ascending course from horizon to zenith, when Tezcot led the three +Tezcucans into the hermit's cave. + +Ix's deep and sombre-toned voice, always a source of wonder and +astonishment when heard for the first time, struck the tzin and his +companions as something marvelous, coming, as it did, from the depths +of the cavern, in answer to the hunter's signal. + +After the customary salutations between the hunter and hermit, the +former requested that Hualcoyotl should come from his retreat, which he +promptly did. He was permitted to look the party over, while the hunter +addressed him, and, designedly, took up a little time in apologizing +for the liberty he had taken in bringing strangers to the hermitage. +The cavern's dim light, together with the dress worn by the visitors, +made it quite impossible for the unsuspecting prince to recognize him. +When Tezcot realized this fact he said: + +"Euetzin, salute Prince Hualcoyotl." + +The tzin stepped forward and dropped on one knee in salutation. + +Hualcoyotl, recovering from the astonishment which the sudden discovery +of his friend caused him, exclaimed: + +"Euetzin, my brother! This is, indeed, a glad surprise. Rise, that I +may greet you as an equal--not as a vassal." + +The tzin arose to his feet, and the prince embraced him affectionately. +He then inquired: + +"Who are these that accompany you?" + +"Oza, salute your master," was the tzin's response. + +"Oza here, too!" exclaimed, again, the now delighted prince. "I see +through it all, Oza; to you it is that I am indebted for this most +happy moment. You have my blessing, and more--your freedom, from this +hour!" + +The slave had prostrated himself before his master, who now bade him +rise. + +"I would not be free, master, if it will take me from you," said the +devoted vassal, in reply. + +"It shall not take you from me, Oza, except to permit you to march with +the army of liberation. You shall be an honored soldier." + +The moment was a happy one for the ever faithful slave, and the change +in his condition would only make him a more willing servitor. + +"Here, O Prince, is a friend whom you will be pleased to greet, I am +sure; for in him you see Cacami, the hunter, who delivered you from the +Tepanec soldiers on the highway," said Euetzin, turning to his friend, +who stood waiting to be presented. + +Cacami saluted the prince, who, in return, gave him a cordial greeting, +and said: + +"Yes, Euetzin, I am more than pleased to know and greet the valiant +hunter Cacami; for it is a hope realized, an opportunity I have truly +wished for. More than gratitude is due from us to him, and when we are +in position to requite his service he will find us not unmindful of the +fact." + +Passing over Cacami's reply, except to say that he deprecated an +allusion to the occurrence, which he regarded as a very little thing +for him to do, and, with the presentation of the party to the hermit, +who found in the occasion another opportunity in which to be profoundly +impressive, we leave the friends to engage in explanations and +consultation, and return to Tezcot's. + +Mitla was not so bright as was her wont, all through the morning hours. +She was inclined to avoid conversation, and sought, more than was her +practice, to be alone. After the mid-day meal she took her archer's +outfit and sauntered off along the plateau, around the mountain. She +was heedless, alike of time and distance. Her bow was seldom brought +into use. A parrot or pheasant seemed to have no attraction for her. In +one or two instances, however, when the mark was so conspicuous that +the attention of a less interested person would have been drawn to it, +she let go an arrow with good effect, but showed no animation at the +result; she was manifestly _distrait_. + +The afternoon wore on, and Mitla was far from home ere she took account +of where she was, or the distance she had gone. She was in the act of +facing about to retrace her steps when she noticed, for the first time, +three men approaching from the opposite direction. She did not wish to +meet them, and, turning, walked briskly in the direction from which she +had come. She did not look back for fear of attracting their attention, +but, gradually increasing her step, hastened homeward. The first +intimation she had that the men were following, with a view to +overtaking her, was when one of them called: + +"Not so fast, pretty maiden; we would keep you company." + +Mitla turned quickly, in surprise, and discovered that the men had +nearly overtaken her. + +Three Tepanec soldiers, not more than a dozen steps away, showing a +menacing disposition, was a sight to strike terror to the stoutest +woman's heart. Mitla was terribly frightened at seeing them, and her +heart instantly leaped into her throat. There was not a house within a +mile of where she was, and, if the men meditated harm to her, her +situation was indeed alarming. Her bow could hardly be deemed a means +of defense against the soldiers, who were now close upon her. What +should she do? was a question that called for prompt decision. She was +quick of foot and in vigorous health; she might get away from them by +running. It was worth trying. From the impulse of the thought she gave +a bound forward, and shot away from her menacing pursuers like a +frightened fawn. The soldiers immediately entered on a determined +chase, and, to her, it now became a run for self-preservation. She kept +up well for a short distance, and then began to flag. The shock from +her fright, together with the awful sense of dread which filled her +heart, unnerved her, and a growing weakness followed. She thought of +her friends: if some of them were only near to come to her relief! But +they were not, and her heart sank lower and lower. By an occasional +glance over her shoulder she could see that her pursuers were rapidly +closing the intervening distance between them, and would surely +overtake her. It was a terrible moment to the fleeing maiden, who was +naturally courageous and brave under ordinary circumstances, but, in +her present desperate dilemma she became an impotent, helpless thing, +about to sink to the earth from exhaustion. The foremost soldier was +within an arm's length of her, and in another moment she would be at +their mercy. + + * * * * * + +When the hunters' chief and his Tezcucan companions returned from the +hermit's cave, about the middle of the afternoon, the first thought of +the tzin was of Mitla. On being informed that she had gone around the +mountain, presumably to do some shooting, he determined to go in search +of her. He saw in the circumstance an opportunity to further his +acquaintance, which he would not fail to improve. He accordingly threw +his hunting outfit across his back, and started off in the direction +she had gone. + +Quite a distance had been covered by the tzin when his attention was +attracted to a beautiful golden pheasant which flew into the wood just +ahead of him. He turned aside to get a shot at it, hoping to secure it +for Mitla. It escaped him, however, and, disappointed, he returned to +the plateau. As he emerged from the bushes he was startled and +horrified at what he saw. Only a few steps away Mitla was struggling to +free herself from the hands of the Tepanec soldiers, who had only just +overtaken and seized her. The tzin was upon them in an instant, and, +sending an arrow into one and his javelin at another, they were quickly +made to desist. His sword, which he carried more as a weapon of defense +than to be used in the pursuit of game, was raised to strike, but +before he could use it the villains drew off. He could not follow them; +for when Mitla was released she staggered, and would have fallen to the +ground had he not caught her in his arms, thus saving the miscreants +from his deadly _maquahuitl_. Mitla had swooned, and he could only vent +his indignation and wrath in words. He exclaimed: + +"Beasts, ocelotls, in the guise of soldiers! Were I free to do it, I +would punish you as you deserve. Go, if you would escape a just +retribution for your iniquitous conduct." + +One of the soldiers was badly wounded, and they were only too glad to +get away, knowing they merited all the punishment and denunciation +Euetzin had meted out to them; and more--should they fall into the +hands of the mountaineers, they would be summarily dealt with. They did +not wait to be addressed the second time, but moved off as rapidly as +they could with the wounded man to look after. + +It was some minutes before Mitla recovered sufficiently to free herself +from the tzin's arms. During the time of her unconsciousness he used +every convenient means known to him to restore her, and succeeded very +well in his efforts. When he saw that she was conscious, he inquired: + +"Have you received personal injury?" + +Mitla answered by a shake of the head, at the same time giving him a +look of trustful helplessness. The look spoke more than words could +have expressed, and told how grateful she was for the deliverance his +coming had brought her, from a fate too terrible for contemplation. + +When Euetzin's support was no longer required, he conducted her to a +place where she could be seated, and waited for her to speak. After a +moment's pause she turned her eyes, beaming with gratitude, full upon +him, and said: + +"It is now Mitla's turn to be grateful. If I have done aught to place a +debt upon the prince, or his friends, you have paid it a hundredfold. I +shall never cease to regard you as my preserver from a fate against +which death would be a welcome deliverance." + +"Any true man, in my place, would have done the same for you," he +answered. "I am entitled to no especial gratitude for doing my duty, I +would assure you. Because I happened to be here at the right moment to +rescue you from the hands of those villainous soldiers, the act should +not make a hero of me." + +He spoke jocularly, hoping to impart cheerfulness by a cheerful manner. + +"Your words do not affect the sense of obligation which fills my heart, +and that it is so I am glad, for I could not be generous were I +ungrateful," she returned, still deeply affected. + +"I shall certainly bear in mind, with no little satisfaction, Mitla, +that I have earned a place in your remembrance. Let that suffice to +reward me for the service done, and think no more about it," he +replied, endeavoring to dispose of the matter by depreciation, in which +he failed, for Mitla said: + +"I am sure you are generous. Will you not, then, permit me to be so, +too? Would you have me stifle the feeling which fills my heart--the +feeling of immeasurable gratitude which goes out to you, my deliverer?" + +Her eyes shone with intense brightness as she spoke, showing how deep +were the fires of passion in her nature, which only required stirring +to become irresistible. The passionate vehemence with which her words +were uttered was affective. The tzin was human, though a young man with +the profoundest sense of right; for the nonce, however, he allowed +himself to yield to impulse, and replied to her impassioned appeal with +the warmth, almost, of a lover: + +"I am reproved. I would not that you stifle one generous impulse of +your peerless woman's heart. I shall not soon forget the glowful +expression which but now lighted up your beautiful face--so earnestly +fixed in kindness upon me. The recollection of it will be an +ever-present reminder of the noble girl I rescued from peril, and whose +friendship I shall always prize." + +For these words she bent on him an expression which carried with it +more than gratitude. It recalled him to himself, and he discovered, all +too late, that he had said too much. He was honorable in a high degree, +and held it a discreditable act to encourage in a maiden a sentiment he +could not fully reciprocate. Her passionate utterances had caused him, +for the moment, to forget his conscientiousness, and he overstepped the +bounds of propriety. He was not in position to play the role of lover, +and, recalling what he had said, he became greatly disturbed. + +A silence ensued, until, presently, Mitla moved as if to rise, which +the tzin anticipated by lifting her to her feet. She was sufficiently +recovered to go home, and, leaning on the arm of her escort, she was +conducted from the scene of her terrible struggle with the villainous +Tepanec soldiers. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + +A week had elapsed since the tzin and his party arrived at Tezcot's so +opportunely, much of which time had been spent at the cavern in +formulating plans and instructions for the direction and government of +the prince's friends, in the operations which would follow Euetzin's +return to the valley. + +The final consultation had been held, and the instruments of authority, +which made the tzin the accredited representative of Hualcoyotl, were +in his possession; and Cacami and he, it was decided, would start for +the scene of their future labors the next day, leaving Oza to attend +his master. + +The blessings of the gods had been invoked upon the young men and the +cause they were engaged in promoting; a final leave had been taken of +the prince and hermit, and they were now at Tezcot's waiting for the +advent of to-morrow to speed them on their way to Tlacopan, their first +point of destination. + +It was in the last hour of day--an hour on the mountains which brings +with it a peculiar sense of subduedness--that Euetzin and Mitla +strolled away from the house to find a spot where they could be alone +for a short time to have a final talk before his departure, which he +purposed taking at an early hour the next morning. + +After the adventure with the Tepanec soldiers, when the tzin +inadvertently allowed himself to say more than he should have said, he +was very careful to avoid giving further encouragement to Mitla's +evident regard for him; matters, therefore, had not progressed in that +direction to any appreciable extent. + +"Has it been well with my friend, to-day?" he inquired casually, by way +of saying something as they sauntered along together. + +Mitla glanced up at her companion doubtfully with her large, full eyes, +looking very sorrowful. Friend is a very cold sounding word when +applied by a loved one to the one who loves, and thus it sounded to +her, coming from Euetzin. + +"Yes, it has, thanks to you, my preserver," she answered dispiritedly. +She could not forget for a moment, when in his presence, the great +service he had rendered her. Thoughts of it seemed to dispossess all +else in her mind, and she continually referred to it in their +conversations. Her voice, sad and low, attracted Euetzin's notice, and, +looking at her, he caught her eyes as they were raised to his seemingly +almost ready to weep, and he said concernedly: + +"You are not happy; your eyes look too sadly appealing for that. Are +you in trouble?" + +"My eyes reflect the sadness which is in my heart." She could say no +more; and the tears were seen to start, which she tried to conceal, but +could not. + +"Why, Mitla, you are surely ill! Why do you weep?" the tzin asked +solicitously. + +"Can you not guess? Is it not enough to sadden my heart to know that +you are going away, perhaps never to return?" was her tearful reply. + +"Am I, indeed, so much to you that my going should affect you thus?" he +asked, not only surprised, but deeply moved by her evident distress. + +"You will never know, because you can not realize it, how much you are +to her whose honor you preserved inviolate. I will never see you again; +it is for this that my heart is filled with sadness and my eyes with +tears," she said sorrowfully. + +Coming to a little shaded mound they sat down, and the tzin said: + +"When I am gone you will soon forget, and only remember me as the +friend of Hualcoyotl." Her answer to this was a reproachful look. An +expression of pain passed over her countenance, and her eyes suddenly +became suffused again with tears. Euetzin saw that her feelings were +deeply wounded by his words, and, taking her hand, he hastened to say, +repentantly: + +"I have hurt you by my careless expression. May I not recall my words, +and assure you of my great sorrow for having spoken them? I will come +again, if only to learn more of the beautiful mountain girl who holds +for me so much of kindly feeling. Yes, I will come again. You will +forgive me now, I'm sure, for having caused you pain." He spoke +rapidly, and his voice grew almost impassioned in his earnestness. + +A happy smile lit up the weeping Mitla's face, for she read in the +tzin's fervent manner that he was not wholly indifferent toward her. +She said in reply: + +"If you have said aught for which forgiveness might be asked, you are +forgiven. I am a foolish girl, Euetzin, to weep and laugh almost in the +same moment. But I can not help it: your words give me pain or joy, +just as they impress me. I am a child; do not mind me," she replied +meekly. + +The tzin saw that the girl's gratitude, which was very great, had +changed to love, a love that knows no bounds, and he was greatly +troubled. It was by no means displeasing to him, for he was a man; yet, +he felt it to be most inopportune. In the few days he had been at +Tezcot's Mitla had won his profound respect--possibly more, which he +was not ready to admit--and he was truly sorry that he was compelled to +go away so soon. There was something about the beautiful mountain girl +which pleased and charmed him; and it was with difficulty he restrained +himself from giving vent to feelings in which he felt he could not +afford to indulge; still, notwithstanding his efforts to refrain from +doing so, he had once or twice, and but now, permitted his feelings to +get the better of him. He was not sure, therefore, of his +disinterestedness: the feelings with which he regarded her, he thought, +might be awakening love, or might prove to be only fancy. He would wait +and see before committing himself. But what of Mitla's loving heart, +should it prove to be the latter? This was the thought which gave him +pain, and which would have much to do with moulding the impressions +which would move him later. + +The tzin's promise that he would come again had a cheering effect upon +Mitla, and she became quite animated. + +After a half hour of more cheerful conversation they went back to the +house, one of them, at least, feeling much brighter for their talk. + + * * * * * + +The sun had just dropped behind the western horizon; that conscious +impress of loneliness which affects the mind in the twilight of +evening, especially in the open country, was beginning to pervade not +only the animate, but the inanimate. The animals showed by their +actions that they felt it; so, also, did the fowls and birds, by +seeking their accustomed roosts. The unwonted stillness of the leaves, +the drooping of the flowers, the gentle purling of the running brook, +and the placid surface of the lake's waters, all gave evidence of the +near approach of Nature's resting time. + +Two men, hunters, from their appearance, were trudging along the +highway, going in the direction of Tlacopan, which lay just ahead of +them. The tired motion of their limbs--of one of them, at +least--accorded well with the silent voice around them, and told, in +language mute but distinct, how welcome to them would be the rest which +comes with the night. + +In those travel-worn pedestrians we would have recognized the young +Tezcucans, Euetzin and Cacami, who were nearing the end of their return +journey from the mountains, which, owing to the fact that the tzin was +a slow traveler, had taken nearly two full days to accomplish. Their +destination, as has been intimated, was Tlacopan, which they were +making strenuous efforts to reach before dark. + +"You are much the better traveler, Cacami," the tzin was saying. "While +my steps are flagging, yours are light and firm." + +"You have not been trained, like myself, to physical toil; to work the +ground for bread, and climb the hills in quest of meat. Yours has been +a life of seclusion, and, I might add, luxury--a life which little fits +one for enduring long journeys," replied Cacami. + +"That is true," returned the tzin. "However, our journey will soon be +ended, and, with a good night's rest in Tlacopan, the morning will find +us fresh as ever." + +The city of Tlacopan, with its grand _teocallis_, magnificent palace, +and ample _tianguez_--of the latter more will be said later--and other +objects of interest, has long since disappeared from the earth, and in +its stead now stands Tacuba, an unimportant Mexican village. The city +of Tlacopan, in the "Golden Era" of Anahuac, was the capital of a small +tribe of people who were kindred to the Tepanecs, but not in accord +with them. Mäc-[=u]-[=a], the ruling prince, stood high among the +nations, and was thought worthy to be associated with the greatest. The +city was situated about two leagues southwest of Tenochtitlan, off from +the lake, high and dry, and was constructed, chiefly, of stone, which +was convenient and abundant. + +At the time of the conquest its people had become a part of the great +empire of the Aztec monarch, Montezuma, and subsequently became +absorbed in the race revolution which wiped away all distinction +between the native tribes, resulting in the present mixed and +degenerate race condition of to-day in Mexico. + + * * * * * + +The reckless disregard of the rights of others by the emissaries of +Maxtla, and the new king's evident purpose to extend his empire by +conquest and subjugation, as his father before him had done, so alarmed +some of the lesser ruling caciques that a coalition, for self-defense +and a better security, was being seriously considered by them, and a +secret council had been determined on. + +The times were propitious for the cause of Tezcuco. + +The tzin's object in visiting Tlacopan at this time was to have +audience with Macua, and, if possible, effect an alliance with him. He +was not yet aware of the uneasy feeling which had been aroused by +Maxtla's conduct, for the disquieted chiefs were very close-mouthed in +such matters; yet he believed the king of Tlacopan would not be +unfavorable to an alliance, if he could be convinced of the advantage +which would accrue from such a step. + +Thus circumstanced, the tzin's visit to Tlacopan just now could only be +considered a venture in the line of his mission. + +The day following their arrival in the city found Euetzin and his +companion early at Macua's palace, seeking admission to his presence. +In due time they were gratified by being conducted to his audience +chamber. + +The presence of the pseudo hunters in the hall, showing so great a +dissimilarity in their manners and dress, caused quite a flurry of +speculation and comment. Hunters, as a rule, were not a cultivated +class; and the marked exception to the common, in the case of our +friends, was so plainly shown that the attention of those present was +attracted to them. + +Macua, king of Tlacopan, was a young man of pleasing address, who was +highly regarded by his subjects. He was easily approached, and, though +firm in his purposes, was kindly disposed. He received the strangers +very cordially, and, when informed that they desired an audience with +him, said: + +"We will hear what you have to say, but ask that you will be brief, for +our time is much occupied." + +"The king of Tlacopan is very gracious," spoke the tzin, with an +obeisance. "What we have to say must be communicated in the presence of +Macua, the king, and his chief counselor, alone. Will it please your +majesty to hear us?" + +"Your communication must be of very great importance, indeed, to +require a proceeding so unusual as a private audience," replied Macua, +a little severely. + +"It is a matter of not only great but grave importance, of which we +desire to speak, and it should be communicated privately to the king," +returned Euetzin with dignity. + +"Such being the case, if you will wait the departure of our subjects +you shall have private audience," the king answered, urbanely. + +"Macua, the king, is most generous. We will wait," said the tzin, +saluting him and turning away to be conducted to a seat. + +When the king's business with his vassals was disposed of he dismissed +his advisors, excepting his chief counselor, a man of advanced years, +and, addressing the tzin, said: + +"We are ready to hear what you have to say; proceed." + +"Before your majesty are two Tezcucans--Cacami and Euetzin. Macua, the +king, has no doubt heard of Hualcoyotl, our prince, whose life Maxtla, +the Tepanec monarch, seeks to destroy," said the tzin, pausing for a +reply. + +"Yes; we have heard of the young prince, who is now a fugitive," the +king answered, looking wonderingly at Euetzin, and in turn waited for +him to proceed. + +"We are friends of Hualcoyotl and Tezcuco. We desire that the +emissaries of Maxtla be driven from our city and country, and that +Hualcoyotl be put upon the throne of his fathers. To accomplish this, +Tezcuco must have help from other states. We appear before you, O King, +as the representatives of Hualcoyotl, seeking friendship and +coalition." Spoken with due deference and self-respect. + +"What assurance can you give that you are friends and representatives +of Hualcoyotl?" questioned the king. + +"Relying on the honor of your majesty, we offer as evidence of our +truthfulness this writing. Will you examine it?" replied the tzin, +handing to the king a paper which was covered with hieroglyphics. Macua +received and scrutinized it carefully, then passed it to his chief, who +also examined it. After a short consultation between king and counselor +the former said: + +"We are satisfied that you are Tezcucans, and that you come from +Hualcoyotl, or some other person who has been highly honored by our +knightly order. Can you inform us as to the number of soldiers Tezcuco +can furnish in the event of a coalition?" + +"There is an army of men in the valley, composed principally of +Tezcucans, who are waiting to be led against the Tepanec king, +numbering twice that of Tlacopan," replied Euetzin, confidently. + +"How know you that?" asked Macua, with a shade of resentment in his +voice. + +"When Tlacopan has shown her willingness to join Tezcuco in a war with +Maxtla of Azcapozalco, the proofs of what we declare shall be placed in +Macua's hands," rejoined the tzin, decisively. + +"The friend of Hualcoyotl is shrewd. It is well. The matter shall have +consideration. When the fifth sun is on its upward course, if you will +come again, you shall have our answer," said the king. + +"How may we be assured that Macua will be faithful to the confidence +which we have reposed in him?" asked the tzin, with the object of +securing some pledge from the young king. + +"By the kingly honor of Macua, and this," he answered haughtily, +handing the tzin a ring on which was the king's sign of distinction, +the possession of which made the holder an accepted embassador, and +gave him a pledge which the tzin well knew would be respected. + +The position and person of an embassador was sacredly regarded among +the nations of Anahuac. "They were lodged and entertained in the great +towns," says the historian, "at the public charge, and were everywhere +received with courtesy, so long as they kept within certain prescribed +bounds." The king's signet was, therefore, a passport to the tzin in +any part of Macua's kingdom, securing him the hospitality of the +people, and free entertainment; it was not his purpose, however, to +take advantage of it. The signet was to him only a pledge of Macua's +faith. + +On receiving the ring Euetzin said: + +"The king's pledge is more than satisfactory to the friends of +Hualcoyotl. When the fifth sun is on its upward course we will come for +Macua's answer, and bring with us proofs of what Tezcuco can do." This +ended the interview, and, saluting his majesty very profoundly, the +young men withdrew. + +The tzin was well pleased with the result of his audience with Macua, +and was much encouraged by it. He felt certain that he was about to +secure an important ally for Hualcoyotl in the king of Tlacopan, and +went about his business with the added stimulus of a stronger +confidence. + +Euetzin had much to engage his attention in the time which would +intervene before the advent of the day fixed for the second meeting +with Macua. He decided first of all to visit a few of the chief cities +for the purpose of securing data from which to proceed in carrying out +the prince's instructions; and also to enable him to present an +approximate estimate of Tezcuco's undiscovered but existent oath-bound +hosts to the king of Tlacopan, in support of his declaration. Also to +offer a word of explanation and encouragement to his coadjutors. + +After calling on the leading Tezcucans in Macua's capital, he and +Cacami crossed over to Tenochtitlan. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + +The continued good fortune of the prince in evading capture was a +source of great annoyance and aggravation to the evil disposed Maxtla. +He was daily becoming more violent and overt in his conduct, ruling +with an arbitrary hand. He had terrorized his household, and the sound +of his voice was sufficient to cause a flurry of trepidation to agitate +its members. His subjects regarded him with fear and trembling, and his +comportment toward his weaker neighbors was a growing menace. His +soldiers seemed to partake largely of his evil tendencies, for, in +their search after Hualcoyotl, they became a dread to the inhabitants +of the valley and surrounding country in consequence of their flagrant +and atrocious acts. + +After weeks of determined but unsuccessful efforts to secure the person +of the prince, Maxtla decided on a council with his advisers over the +matter, and they were accordingly ordered to assemble in the council +chamber. The subject was duly considered, but without any definite +conclusion. As was customary, when a question of so much importance +proved unsolvable by the council, the oracles (high priests) were +called upon for a solution of the matter, which resulted in their +declaring that the gods were favoring the fugitive prince as against +the king, and must be propitiated. Agreeably to this decision, an early +day was fixed for the sacrificial ceremony which was to mollify the +wrath of the particularly offended deities, and the priests were +instructed to have ready the necessary number of victims for the +occasion. + + * * * * * + +The temples (_teocallis_) of the ancient Mexicans, which were numerous, +were peculiar structures, usually rising in pyramidal form to various +heights, depending, doubtless, on the importance attached to the +presiding deities which they represented and to whom they were +dedicated. They were constructed solidly of earth, incased around with +stone, or blocks of clay, which were hardened by some peculiar process +of their own. The structure usually consisted of several stories--as +many as four or five--each of which rose twenty or more feet, +terminating at a terrace of accommodating width, which extended clear +around the temple. Four or five of these terraces carried the structure +up as much as a hundred feet, culminating in a broad, flat, paved area, +on which were situated the sanctuaries of the gods, and in which a +great sculptured image of each was placed. In front of each sanctuary +was an altar, whereon the sacred fire was kept constantly burning, and +which, not infrequently, was stained with human blood. + +Near the altars stood the sacrificial block on which the victim was +immolated in the horrible and sickening act of tearing the heart from +the breast and laying it on the altar as a conciliatory offering to the +offended deity, while the organ was still pulsating. + +The terraces were gained by steps on the outside, leaning at an angle +with the wall, which inclined toward the center. + +The ceremonies were always public, and from the situation at the summit +were to be viewed from any part of the city. + +The processions engaged in by the priests--a multitude in themselves, +winding their way as many times as there were terraces around the great +_teocalli_, from base to summit--were impressive spectacles, at which +the people were expected to be present as witnesses; and, as one author +has said, since a ceremony of some sort occurred almost every day, it +is difficult to understand how the ordinary business of life could, +under such conditions, go on. + +The day appointed by Maxtla for the propitiating of the gods was +ushered in by the sound of the doleful drum. The people, who were +assembled by thousands, arrayed in their most gorgeous attire--when +arrayed at all--filled the city's public places. A religious chant, +accompanied with dancing and contortions of the body, and a +representation of minstrelsy, in a multiplication of weird noises, was +begun and continued throughout the procession and ceremony. + +One by one the victims were led or borne to the sacrificial block, and +if, perchance, they paused upon the area of the temple's summit, their +anointed bodies, which were shielded only by a girdle about the loins, +glistened in the sun's intense light--a mollifying spectacle for Aztec +gods. + +When the ceremony had progressed to that point when all the +bloodthirstiness which such sights must surely beget in the savage mind +had taken possession of the witnesses, a thought seemed to occur +suddenly to Maxtla, who was a delighted spectator of the bloody +carnival, and he exclaimed: + +"Bring hither Itzalmo, the traitorous friend and counselor of +Hualcoyotl, and prepare him for the sacrifice. Let him die for the +appeasing of the gods." + +The prison-keeper, who had charge of Itzalmo's dungeon, took the +necessary assistance and proceeded to execute the order of the king. + +When the dungeon to which Itzalmo had been consigned was reached by the +prison-keeper and his assistants, the door was thrown open, and they +entered to secure the prisoner, but a surprise awaited them which they +were not anticipating--the cell was empty; Itzalmo was not there. + +The prison-keeper was speechless with amazement at the discovery, and, +on contemplating the consequences to himself of the prisoner's escape, +became horrified at the thought of the fate which certainly awaited +him. He returned to the presence of the king, fully realizing the awful +strait in which the situation put him. Prostrating himself at Maxtla's +feet, he cried out, in accents of despair: + +"Woe is come to thy servant, O King, and he is undone; for Itzalmo, the +prisoner, is gone! He has fled his prison cell." + +Maxtla looked for a moment, in menacing silence, on the prostrate man +before him, his face becoming, as he did so, livid with rage. When he +spoke, his accents were inhuman--demoniacal. + +"Miserable dotard!" he exclaimed. "Thy cowardly, cringing body is fit +only for sacerdotal hands. A heart for a heart it shall be--not +Itzalmo's, but thine, shall fall to-day, to assuage the offended gods. +Take him hence to the block, and let his blood condone his offense." +Thus did the keeper of Itzalmo's dungeon become, innocently, the victim +of Maxtla's ferocity. + +The sacrificial ceremony was at last concluded. The sanguinary rites, +in compliance with the demands of the offended deities, had been +formally observed, and Maxtla, according to the declarations of the +oracles, was thereby restored to favor. The assembled multitude +dispersed, self-satisfied with its part in the bloody festival, and +quiet once more prevailed in Azcapozalco. + +Maxtla was not a man to be thwarted in his designs without a supreme +effort to accomplish them. Itzalmo had escaped, but the whole Tepanec +empire should be called to the support of the king, that his purposes +might be made good. Pursuant to this end an edict was issued, to the +effect that Itzalmo was outlawed, and, furthermore, his delivery to the +Tepanec authorities, dead or alive, would be amply rewarded. + +Unfortunately for Maxtla, in his purpose to not only retake Itzalmo, +but to discover his abettors, who, if taken, would suffer equally with +the escaped prisoner, he had, in sacrificing his prison-keeper, removed +the only person who might have found a clue to the party concerned in +the liberation. By his destruction the security of the liberators, if +not Itzalmo's, was assured. + + * * * * * + +When it was learned by the friends of Itzalmo, who were members of the +king's retinue, and who, during his imprisonment, had looked well to +his comforts, that a sacrifice to the gods was contemplated, they +became alarmed for his safety, and at once set about arranging for his +escape. The necessary preparations were effected, and the night prior +to the day on which the sacrifice was to take place was fixed upon as +the time to deliver him from his imprisonment. + +Agreeably to arrangements, about the hour of midnight two men entered +the passage which led to the stairway down which they had to go to be +on the same ground as was Itzalmo's dungeon. They were not unacquainted +with the locality, and quickly gained the avenue leading to the cell. +One of the party carried a lighted taper, which greatly facilitated +their movements. When the cell was reached, the fastenings were removed +and the door thrown open. As it swung back on its hinges, one of the +party inquired: + +"Are you ready, Itzalmo?" + +"Yes, I am ready. Lead on," he answered, and walked forth a free man +once more. + +When he was outside of the dungeon the fastenings were replaced, and +the party moved silently and cautiously to the stairway, and up. Here +the taper was extinguished, making their progress from this point +necessarily very slow. They finally emerged upon the narrow court at +the rear of the palace, and from there into the great inclosed court, +where one of the conductors turned aside, leaving the other to +accompany Itzalmo alone. + +Leaving the great court, Itzalmo and his conductor came out onto a wide +street, feeling somewhat apprehensive as to the outcome of their +undertaking. The city was thoroughly policed by the soldiers of the +king, who were supposed to be, without exception, his adherents. +However, Itzalmo was a stranger to all of them, whether friends or +foes, which was greatly in his favor. + +The old Tezcucan's friends had taken the precaution to furnish him with +a suit of priestly attire, making it an easy matter to offer a pretense +for being on the street at so unseasonable an hour. Under such +conditions the liability of detection was greatly lessened. + +The avenues of the royal city being broad and extensive, Itzalmo and +his conductor could hardly expect to travel them, even at the late hour +of midnight, without being discovered, and, in all probability, +stopped. So the bold plan of moving nonchalantly through the streets +was adopted. + +An exhibition of nonchalance does not always indicate unflinching +bravery, and is never assumed by a brave man, except as a means to an +end. + +Though men of the dare-devil stamp, who are nonchalant, and appear to +be careless of consequences, may not, under such circumstances as +surrounded the old Tezcucan and his escort, feel in any degree +apprehensive, it is not always the result of true courage, but more +often lack of consideration. Such men are not to be classed in any +sense with the conscientious, considerate man, who, anxious and +expectant, steps into the unexplored and doubtful breach, uncertain as +to what awaits him there--the man who, realizing that danger, and +perhaps death, may be just ahead, sets hard his teeth, and, with paling +cheek, goes bravely forward to meet it. The latter is the man who wins +battles, and, if needs be, dies a hero, while the former far too often +proves himself a blustering braggart, who, when death stalks forth, +forgets all else save his own safety, and ignominiously becomes a +turn-tail. + +We have seen Itzalmo, with dauntless courage, face the tyrant Maxtla, +the most cruel and heartless man in all the Anahuac; still, he was not +a dare-devil, but a conscientious, unswerving friend, who could die in +the performance of a duty, as only such men can. His courage, however, +was not a feelingless one. His heart, no doubt, beat quicker, while his +face grew less florid; yet, in the consciousness of well-doing, and the +strength of an unyielding faithfulness, he was capable of heroic +action. + +When the distance of about two squares had been gone over, they were +challenged by the demand: + +"Who goes there at this late hour?" + +"A priest and escort, on their way to visit the sick," was the quick +reply. + +"Ah, Melca, is that you?" questioned the guard, who recognized an +acquaintance in the voice of Itzalmo's companion. + +"Yes, it is me," he answered. "I am seldom out at this hour," +apologetically, "but the call of a friend in distress must needs be +answered, even though it be at midnight." + +The escort was not a little disturbed at his sudden recognition by the +guard, though, on second thought, saw security in Itzalmo's perfect +disguise. The old man made a venerable representative of the character +he had assumed, which the soldier could easily discern in the +semi-darkness; and as great reverence for that class of citizens was +generally entertained, there was hardly a possibility of detection. +After a brief scrutiny of the priestly appearing Itzalmo, the guard +said: + +"It is well, Melca. Pass on; and may your friend find consolation from +your visit." + +Since he had succeeded without difficulty in deceiving an acquaintance, +Melca was assured that they would have no trouble in passing out of the +city, and so it proved. They met with several guards, who readily +passed them along when informed of the mission they were on. Thus they +got safely beyond the city's limits and out into the country, where a +consultation was held as to where they should go. + +It was wisely concluded to keep away from Tezcuco, as it would +undoubtedly be the first place visited by the emissaries of Maxtla in +their search for the condemned Itzalmo. They decided, accordingly, to +get out of the tyrannical king's dominions as quickly as possible, and +seek concealment in some secluded locality. A road leading to the +south, along the western border of the lake, was taken and followed +until Tlacopan was reached, where a stop of one day was made to give +Itzalmo a resting spell; after which they went on around the lake until +they came to a small, isolated hamlet, situated on the lake's border, +among the trees which grew there, and by which it was almost hidden, +where the old man found refuge with some loyal countrymen, with whom we +leave him for the present, in company with Melca, his escort, who +decided, after being recognized by the guard, that it might not be safe +for him to return to Azcapozalco. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + +One night and a day in Tenochtitlan found Euetzin and Cacami ready to +proceed to some other point, they having effected the object of their +visit to the Mexican capital. + +The tzin had laid out to spend one night at home; and, as Tezcuco must +necessarily be visited in his short tour of inquiry, it was decided to +go to Zelmonco first, and from there to the city. Their plan was to +cross the lake to a small village which was situated about two leagues +and a half south of Tezcuco, and go from there to the villa, which +would save time, distance, and a walk of one league, as compared with +their going to Tezcuco by one of the barks which plied regularly +between the two great cities for the purpose of transporting persons +and merchandise. + +There is sufficient ground for believing that traffic between +Tenochtitlan and other cities on Lake Tezcuco was carried on at that +time exclusively by canoes, and it is not an unreasonable thing to +suppose that it was done systematically, and with a view to gain. + +So, in the afternoon of the day following their arrival at +Tenochtitlan, Euetzin and his companion secured the services of a +boatman to row them across to the little town. It was quite a pull for +the boatman and his one assistant, for the distance was between three +and four leagues. The trip was made, however, in time for our friends +to reach Zelmonco just at dusk of evening. We will not undertake to +describe the meeting which followed their arrival at the villa. It is +sufficient to say that it was a happy one, and that the evening was +passed by the reunited family and their guest in a most agreeable +manner. + + * * * * * + +Cacami was an early riser, and usually up with the sun. The morning +following his coming to Zelmonco was not an exception in his +commendable habit; he was out in the park betime, enjoying the +invigoration which the first hour of the day imparts. The morning's +breath was most delightful, too, loaded as it was with the exhalations +of a thousand buds and flowers. + +The time and conditions were especially favorable for thought; +particularly to a man affected as he was. Itlza had not been out of his +mind for a moment during his absence, except when important matters +were in, or when he was sleeping, and not always then. When in the +presence of Mitla and her vivacious young sister a pair of laughing +eyes continually rose up before him, reminding him of one who seemed to +exercise an influence, even in her absence, which made him almost +negligent of the hunter's daughters. Euetzin, knowing nothing of the +attachment which his companion had formed for his sister, thought it +very strange that the young fellow should be so indifferent to the +charms of the mountain girls--Mitla especially; and, yet, away down in +his heart the tzin experienced a sense of relief and gratification that +such was the case. + +Believing that a suitable opportunity would reveal the fact that his +hopes, which Itlza's actions at their last meeting had quickened, were +well founded, Cacami heartily wished that one might arise before the +hour for his departure should come around. + +In pursuing his solitary stroll through the park he came to the oak +tree by the fountain, and had paused for a moment to contemplate upon +the pleasant surroundings. He had only been there once before; yet, the +spot was endeared to him because of his meeting with Itlza on that +occasion. Recalling the felicitous event his eyes lingered fondly on +the rustic seat, where she had sat and looked down upon him with her +beautiful, laughing eyes, as he reclined on the ground almost at her +feet. He remembered the pledge of silence she had exacted of him, which +he felt was no longer binding since the episode of the flower-heart, +the trend of which he had rightly interpreted. Feeling thus, he +resolved to renew his wooing at the first offered opportunity. While he +stood indulging in his retrospective reverie, he was suddenly made +aware of the approach of someone. Turning to see who it was, he +discovered, to his delight, the charming Itlza coming toward him from +the villa. + +It was a supreme moment to the very much enthralled Cacami; the +culmination of his most cherished desires were reached when he beheld +the idol of his thoughts advancing toward him. Nothing could have +happened so perfectly in accord with the conditions--his feelings, the +hour and its alluring train of exquisite delights--as Itlza's +unexpected but longed for advent upon the scene. He waited her approach +with a pleased sense of expectation, for he saw in her coming the +opportunity he had only just been wishing for. He greeted her with a +delight to which he gave full expression, both in manner and voice. He +said: + +"You come, O Laughing-eyes, to add by your presence the crowning joy to +a splendid morning stroll, which I have had." + +"I shall be pleased if my coming out will add to the pleasure of your +ramblings, which are just a little too early to agree with my habits," +she answered, with a sparkling eye and smiling face. He looked +admiringly at her and said: + +"The air at such a time and in such a place is always delightfully +fragrant. To drink of its sweetness is a pleasure no one should fail to +enjoy, not excepting the leisured Laughing-eyes." + +"Yes, it is a pleasure; but what an effort some of us would have to +make to gain it. Then, oft repeated, it loses much of its charm," she +replied, and, continuing, inquired: "How long have you been out in the +park?" + +"For more than an hour I have been strolling among the shrubs and +flowers; but, delightful as the beautiful park is, there was one thing +wanting to make it perfect: one flower which I did not find--the +loveliest that blooms at Zelmonco; it was not there," he said, fixing +on her a look which plainly revealed his meaning. She returned the look +with one expressing comprehension, and answered, jestingly: + +"You came out too soon to find the flower you are pleased to think so +lovely; it does not bloom so early." + +"It has bloomed but now; and I am more than happy to find it here," he +said, taking her hand and leading her to a seat at the foot of the oak +tree. With her hand still resting in his he continued: "Do you +remember, Laughing-eyes, our tryst on this love-inspiring spot, which +seems to me so very long ago, and like a dream?" + +"Yes, I remember; and more," she answered, looking up at him archly, +while she continued: "I remember that you gave me a promise, Cacami, +which I fear you are about to forget." This rejoinder was uttered +insinuatingly, and accompanied by a coquettish side glance. Cacami, +believing that the words were intended to be convertible, put his own +construction on them, and said: + +"I do not forget, Laughing-eyes, but only remember my promise now as a +thing of the past, and no longer binding upon me. The flower-heart, and +the voice of the little love-bird singing through your beautiful eyes, +which came to me that day, when Teochma's call so cruelly disturbed us, +were the signs which made me free. Is it not so, Laughing-eyes?" +Cacami's voice and manner were full of pleading, and Itlza, loving as +she did, could not resist their influence, and said: + +"Yes, Cacami, I may not longer trifle; you have read my thoughts and +actions rightly. The flower-heart, in which was entwined my best love, +was wrought for you, and made the messenger of release." + +"I thought as much, and yet there was a doubt, which your blessed words +have removed, and I am free to tell you how dear you are to me. From +the moment when I first looked into those laughing eyes I have loved +them and their adored possessor. You must recall how earnest was my +wooing from the very beginning--not a happy wooing either, Itlza, for I +thought it was in vain. But now I know it was not, for the love of the +Laughing-eyes is mine. When the battle comes my sword shall make me +worthy of it. Then you shall pledge yourself to be my wife--not before. +Until that hour love alone shall keep us for each other," he spoke with +passionate emphasis. + +"It shall be as you have said--love shall keep us for each other," she +replied, looking beseechingly into his face. "My heart is sad, even +while it is happy," she continued. "War is ever terrible, but doubly so +when those we love are in it--Euetzin, my brother, and you, my +new-found love." Here her disengaged hand was laid lovingly on his arm, +and her eyes, moist with the dew of affection, looked pleadingly up to +him. "Both must go. Will both, or even one, return?" She dropped her +head upon his hand and wept. + +"Be brave, dear heart; those bright, laughing eyes were never made for +tears," said he, consoling her tenderly. "The gods, you may be sure, +will shield your loved ones in the fight for freedom, and bring them +safely back to you." Said encouragingly. + +A call to the morning meal interrupted further conversation on the +subject so near to the hearts of the twain; and they went in, happy now +in each other's love, yet sad from the thoughts which had caused the +Laughing-eyes to weep. + +Two hours later Euetzin and Cacami were on the road to Tezcuco. That +their stay at the villa had to be so brief was a source of regret to +both. + +The fond associations of a beautiful and attractive home, the dearest +of which were found in the presence and love of Teochma and Itlza, were +pressing inducements for the tzin to prolong his stay, but there was no +time to spare just then for gratifying the tenderer impulses; so, +stifling the cry in his heart--the voice of filial love--he went sadly +away, in answer to duty's call. + +Cacami, in the character of an accepted lover--though somewhat +regretful at having to go from the scene of his late successful wooing +so soon, possessed as he was with the blissful assurance of a +reciprocated affection--could not be other than felicitous. Still, his +happiness was not cloudless. There was mingled with it a disquieting +doubt as to the acquiescence of the aristocratic mother and brother in +his _affaire_ with Itlza. He was hopeful, however, in view of his +intimacy with the brother. He had no intention of informing them, at +this time, of the state of his feelings, and was confident that Itlza +would be equally reticent. When he had won honor and fame as a warrior +he could approach them with a stronger assurance of approval. + +Thus it happened that a knowledge of the existing state of their +feelings toward each other was kept from Teochma and the tzin by the +lovers, which, as it subsequently proved, was an unfortunate course for +them to pursue; and yet, in view of the fact that no betrothal had +taken place, they were not to be blamed for keeping the matter a secret +between themselves. + +On arriving at Tezcuco Euetzin went about his errand of procuring +information and the transaction of other business, for which he had +come to the city. While he was thus occupied, Cacami went to visit for +a brief spell with his people, returning in time to accompany him to +other points, and finally back to Tlacopan for the appointed audience +with Macua, the king. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + +The fifth day subsequent to the one on which Euetzin and Cacami made +their first visit to Macua, King of Tlacopan, and the one appointed for +a second audience with him, had dawned, and the sun was on its upward +course. + +A number of notables--princes, caciques, and chiefs--had recently +arrived in Tlacopan, and were being entertained by Macua, at the king's +palace. Much speculation was indulged in by the city's denizens, as to +what they were there for. Their mission, however, was of a secret +character, known only to themselves, the king and his advisers, and was +scrupulously guarded by the close-mouthed leaders. + +An important council was about to convene, the result of Maxtla's +aggressiveness, which proved, in the end, to be a memorable event in +the lives of those who took part in it, and also for those in whose +interest it was held. + +The meeting took place in the audience hall of the king's palace, and +the most prominent person present was the king himself. He was seated +on his throne, arrayed in magnificent attire, and bore himself with +kingly dignity, as one after another the gathering warriors advanced to +salute him as the presiding official of the occasion. + +On looking over the body of dignified and sober appearing individuals +there assembled, one would have decided at once that it was no ordinary +gathering of the king's subjects. Seated on his right was a man whose +dress and bearing were significant of royalty; while on his left was +another equally as notable. Richly caparisoned caciques and warriors +were present, some seated, and others standing about the chamber, all +waiting expectantly for the king to announce the opening of the +council. + +Macua presently rose to speak, and every eye was fixed upon him with +interested attention. When perfect silence prevailed he said: + +"I am pleased to witness the presence here at this time of so many +nobles and warriors, who have come to engage in important +deliberations. I have reason to believe that all of you are inspired by +a common thought: that of a mutual defense of our liberties. The +promptness with which the call has been met presages success in what +shall follow this meeting. As the head of this nation I extend to all a +cordial welcome to Tlacopan." Turning to a person who was evidently the +keeper of records, he continued: "The names of those who are to sit in +council with us will now be read, and the person named will rise and +acknowledge the same in the usual manner." + +As the name was announced the person bearing it rose and made an +obeisance. After a number of names were gone over and acknowledged, the +recorder called out: + +"Euetzin of Tezcuco!" to which no one responded. The tzin had not +arrived. At this moment an interruption occurred in consequence of the +entrance to the hall of a person who was conducted into the presence of +the assembly, causing a suspension of the roll call. + +The newcomer appeared to be a stranger to all present, for no one +seemed to recognize him. If he was known his identity was not apparent. +Advancing before the king he saluted his majesty very profoundly. Macua +acknowledged the courtesy, but gave no sign of recognition. + +"You do not remember me, O King, for which omission you are pardonable, +since my former appearance before you was in an assumed character. +This," he continued, holding up a signet, "may prove a reminder to +you." + +"Euetzin of Tezcuco!" exclaimed Macua. "We were looking for a hunter, +not a tzin." + +"I am the accredited representative of a prince to-day, if your majesty +pleases," replied Euetzin, with proper dignity. + +"You are; and as the King of Tlacopan I greet you as such," returned +Macua, leaving the throne to extend to the tzin an honor seldom +conferred except upon a prince. + +Euetzin was attired in the costume of a tzin, which changed his +appearance greatly, preventing his recognition by the king. His dress +was of the finest material, but not gaudy; showing a conservatism in +his notions of apparel. In this his second appearance before Macua he +felt that the dignity of his position as the representative of +Hualcoyotl demanded that he should be becomingly clothed; he +accordingly came to Tlacopan prepared to abandon the character and garb +of a hunter, and appear, temporarily, in his rightful one. + +After greeting the tzin the king bade him take a seat with the +assembly. + +The call of the roll was resumed and completed. It was found that all +were present who were expected to take part in the council. At its +conclusion Macua again arose and said: + +"We are assembled here to-day to consider a matter of vital interest to +all of us: the matter of a threatened invasion of our territories by +Maxtla, the new king at Azcapozalco. The fate of Tezcuco is before us. +Shall this man be allowed to spoil us while our eyes are open? This, +friends, is the question you have been called together to consider. Let +your words be words of wisdom, that our council may result in good." + +After a brief period of silence an old man--a Tlacopan chief--rose up, +and addressed the king: + +"Your majesty's words are words of warning. We are, of a truth, menaced +by this Maxtla, of Azcapozalco, whose power is great. The army of +Tlacopan, combined with the armies of all the principalities here +represented, would be as naught before the hosts of his mighty empire. +Have you not something to say that will give encouragement? What is in +your mind that has not been revealed to us?" + +The king spoke in reply: + +"The armies of all the principalities represented here to-day would, +indeed, be unequal to cope with Maxtla in the field; but, friends, +there is offered us a hope in a union with the oppressed Tezcucans. A +voice has come to me from Tezcuco: Tezcuco would be free. Euetzin, a +representative of that people, is with us to-day. He is here as the +envoy of Hualcoyotl, their prince, who is now a fugitive, unjustly +pursued--a man who is beloved of his own, but hated by the monarch we +fear. We would join the Tezcucans in a war against Maxtla, if the +appearances are favorable to success. We would hear what Euetzin may +have to offer us." + +There was a stir about the chamber at this declaration from Macua, and +the tzin at once became an object of much interest. He arose, at a +motion from the king, and, after casting his eyes over the assemblage +of stern-looking warriors, said: + +"Tezcuco will be free, or go down deeper into the slough of oppression. +To Maxtla she will no longer submit, if a mighty struggle will give her +liberty. An army of patriots, though unseen, are now waiting for the +signal to march to victory, death, or a lower degradation. Tezcuco +would secure the aid of those who would have the Tepanec usurper +overthrown. Many would make our victory sure. I am here, to-day, +seeking coalition." Turning about, he addressed Macua: "Will it please +the King to read this paper?" As he concluded, the tzin handed a +document to the king, which proved to be an estimate of the Tezcucan +forces, based on their secret enrollment. + +When Macua had perused and understood the significance of the contents +of the paper, he looked at the tzin in astonishment, and said: + +"I am filled with wonder at what is here set forth. If Tezcuco can do +so much, then, indeed, is there hope. Maxtla might well tremble for his +supremacy, did he know the magnitude of his opposition." + +After a further examination of the paper the king continued: + +"With your consent, Euetzin, I would make known to our friends what is +here written." + +"The wisdom of Macua must direct him. He should understand the +importance to Tezcuco of the knowledge which is contained in the paper. +Should it be made public it would be most unfortunate for her cause," +replied the tzin, courteously. + +"I have faith in our friends, and will be responsible for their +silence," returned Macua, proceeding to acquaint the council with the +contents of the document. Its members were no less astonished than was +the king at the measure of their significance. Macua then said: + +"We remember the mild and generous disposition of the late king of +Tezcuco, and how deeply our people regretted his fall, and the +subversion of his government. A restoration of that government under +the rule of his son, Prince Hualcoyotl, would give us complete +security. Euetzin comes to us bearing evidence, which we can not doubt, +that he is, in truth, the representative of the Tezcucan prince, and, +as such, would not deceive us by misrepresentation. I, therefore, as +the King of Tlacopan, having confidence in him, am ready to accept his +statements as correct, and, with the consent of my advisers, will join +Tezcuco in a war against the Tepanec king." + +There were a number of high officials present from two states, besides +Tlacopan, who were unanimous in their approval of Macua's declaration. +It was, therefore, sustained by his chiefs, which led to an agreement +of coalition being entered into, and its ratification in their +accustomed manner. + +After a further consideration of the matter as to plans of procedure, +it was decided to hold a great tourney at Tlacopan on a certain day in +the near future, which would afford the Tezcucans a pretense to +withdraw from Tezcuco for the purpose of massing. It was also decided +that envoys should be sent to Azcapozalco, to appear before Maxtla the +same day on which the tourney was to take place, to present to him the +ultimatum of the allied states, the principal condition of which should +be the liberation of Tezcuco, and the enthronement of her prince. + +It was further agreed that the army of each state should be under the +command of its own prince and warriors, the whole to be commanded by +the prince furnishing the greatest number of soldiers. The council then +broke up, subject to a call from Macua. + +There was much to accomplish before the time appointed for holding the +tournament, which was to be nothing more nor less than the assembling +of the hosts of the allied states. The secret councils of Tezcucans had +to be notified and instructed, and the arms, which were already +provided for their equipment, transported secretly to the vicinity of +Tlacopan. In addition to this, Hualcoyotl was to be brought secretly to +Tlacopan, for it was expected that he would be placed at the head of +the army. These preparations would depend largely on the tzin and his +companion, and they permitted no time to go by unimproved, but +proceeded at once to the consummation of them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + +Euetzin and his fellow conspirators found the time very brief for +completing their preparations for the massing of the insurgent army of +Tezcuco on the day appointed. The work was attended with so much +secrecy that it had to be carried on in a very quiet manner, keeping +them constantly on the alert. This being the case, the tzin and Cacami +were kept continually employed, with not a moment of time to spare in +which to visit their homes. However, just before starting for the +mountains, to escort Hualcoyotl into Tlacopan, they took time to go and +say good-by, and procure what was necessary to complete their outfits. + +While the Tezcucans were secretly pushing forward their preparations, +Macua was busily engaged in replenishing his store-houses with +provisions and other supplies for the armies. + +A commendable feature in the economy and foresight of the Aztecs--and +no less that of the other nations of Anahuac, for what may be said of +one will apply to all--was the establishment of great granaries, or +store-houses, where supplies were garnered up to meet future +exigencies. This was accomplished by tribute from the agricultural +districts of the province. + +The time appointed for holding the tournament was at hand, and Tlacopan +was gorgeously attired for the occasion. The day was propitious, and +the city was filled to overflowing with people, who had come from far +and near to witness the achievements of the contestants. + +The number of foreigners present was unprecedented. The primal cause of +this unusual spectacle will be apparent to the reader. + +The hour for the tourney to open had arrived, and an immense throng of +people was assembled on the city's market-place, where it was thought +best to hold the meeting, in view of the expected crowd. The _tianguez_ +was a great square, inwalled by buildings, store-houses, etc., and made +to accommodate anywhere from twenty-five to fifty thousand people. Much +of its space, on this day, was protected by coverings, cotton awnings, +canopies, etc., and was arranged to seat a multitude. + +Tournaments were not an uncommon occurrence among the nations of +Anahuac, and the people were encouraged to participate in them by +awards of merit--jewels, medals, decorations, etc., which were bestowed +upon the successful contestants. Every ruler of any importance was +provided with a suitable place in which to hold the contests, usually a +great inclosed court attached to the king's palace, but which, on this +occasion, was not adequate to the demands. + +In many instances, among the more barbarous nations, the tourney of the +Aztecs was not less bloody than those of the ancients of Pompeii and +Rome, resulting purposely in the death of one or more of the +contestants. + +In view of the immense concourse of people in attendance at Tlacopan, +the occasion would prove a proud one for the victors. + +Contests with the bow and arrow, and tilts with the javelin, were to be +especial features of the approaching tourney, which were open to all +comers. + +It was not required of a contestant that he or she be personally known; +a badge, however, was usually worn, denoting the tribal connection. + +A trial of skill between bowmen was announced, and the babbling throng +became hushed. The signal for the contestants to appear was sounded, +and a score or more of athletic warriors leaped into the arena. They +were clothed in their military tunic, which covered the body and +thighs. About the head was a band surmounted with featherwork. +Ornaments and decorations of different kinds, denoting former +victories, were worn by a number of them. A buckler, or shield, was +carried by each one as a protection against the arrows of an opponent. + +There were two points of excellence considered in this contest: the +accuracy with which the arrow was dispatched, and the dexterity with +which it was caught upon the shield. + +The contest was opened by two of the warriors taking positions opposite +and facing each other, at a fixed distance apart. The assembled +multitude became instantly stilled, and all eyes were centered upon +them. The bows of the opposing bowmen were deliberately brought to +position, and at a given signal two arrows sped across the space which +separated them, and which were neatly stopped by the respective +shields. The effect upon the audience was electrical; a shout of +approval went up for the splendid exhibition of skill manifested by the +contestants. The opponents, in this instance, were of Tlacopan and +Tenochtitlan. After three trials the score was recorded in favor of the +latter. + +Another two advanced to position, and a record was made. Thus the +contest proceeded to the fifth entry, when a Tepanec and Tezcucan stood +opposed. Two trials were successfully achieved, but at the third the +arrow of the Tezcucan clipped a piece from the ear of the Tepanec, +carrying away the ring which adorned it. A prolonged shout of +exultation from the Tezcucans present followed the discovery of the +result of the shot. + +The wounded contestant was a warrior of note in his own country, which +was evidenced by the number of decorations he wore. He was greatly +chagrined and angered at his mishap, and retired from the arena with +bitterness in his heart, and a vengeful scowl upon his face. He was +stoutly built, and would prove a dangerous adversary in a contest of +strength. + +The first of the series of contests was conducted to a finish, and the +second was called, which was to be a contest in target shooting, to +which none but women were admitted. + +When the signal for their entrance was given, an array of beauty, in +person and dress seldom witnessed, glided upon the scene. There were +princesses, the wives and daughters of caciques and chiefs, and others +with no royal blood to give them prestige--a double score. + +We will not pause to describe the costumes--suffice it to say that the +majority of them were gorgeous in the extreme, with elaborately wrought +trimmings of gold and silver, and beautifully designed featherwork, +making altogether a most fanciful picture of barbaric splendor. + +The target, which in this case was the representation of a heart, was +placed, and the contest opened. + +The order of succession had been determined, and the first archer +stepped to the front, receiving, as she did so, a good round of +applause. After a moment's deliberation the arrow from her bow was sent +on its harmless mission. It was well directed, but did not cut the +target. She moved to one side, and another took her place. + +"Look!" exclaimed a spectator to an associate as the second archer +stepped into position. "By the bearded Quetzal, there's a beauty for +you! Superb, isn't she?" The contestant was a stranger to that vast +throng, but, had the reader of our story been present, a glance would +have sufficed to reveal who it was; for it was none other than Mitla, +the "Mountain Princess," who, through the persuasion of the tzin, had +consented to enter the contest. After taking position she paused to +recover her composure, giving the spectators time to note her admirable +physique. A buzz of admiration was heard to pass through the great +audience, and then as her bow was deliberately raised to shoot, all +became silent! The silence was breathless--almost oppressive--while the +vast crowd awaited the result of her shot. A snap was heard to break +the stillness, followed by a sudden shadowy streak, which touched the +target and disappeared; but the substance of it, the arrow from Mitla's +bow, was left buried directly in the center of the heart. When the +splendid feat of archery she had accomplished was realized, it was +greeted with the wildest demonstrations of delight, accompanied by a +shower of flowers, which fell in profusion about her. She had won the +heart of the multitude by her superb, native presence, and unexcelled +exhibition of skill. + +Mitla cast her eyes in the direction of the king's canopied platform, +and the look drew forth from friends there lively manifestations of +recognition and applause. Coming, as these demonstrations did, from +Macua's place on the _tianguez_, they were regarded by those who +observed them as highly significant, fixing upon her the prestige of +royal favor, raising the unknown archer, in their semi-barbarous minds, +far above the plain of her uneventful life. + +Many splendid shots were made by Mitla's competitors, but to no +purpose. Her unerring accuracy could not be excelled, and at the close +of the contest, amid shouts and acclamations of satisfaction, she was +declared the winner. + +The victorious girl was conducted before King Macua, who presented to +her the prize she had won--a beautiful necklace of gold and gems, which +was clasped about her throat by the hand of Euetzin, who was of the +king's party. It was a superlatively happy moment to the beautiful +mountain girl, and her eyes were effervescing with love's softest light +as they rested on him whom, unknown to all save herself, she almost +worshiped. + +Mitla at once became an object of royal favor, and was escorted onto +Macua's platform, and given a place with the king's elect. + +A tilt with javelins was the next thing in order. This was in the +nature of a challenge contest; a very dangerous one for the +participants, and exciting to the beholders. + +A challenge to engage in a tilt, or contest, was always in order, and +usually proved to be the most popular and exciting feature of the +tourney. + +The signal for the bout to commence was hardly sounded before the +Tepanec warrior who had been wounded in the bowmen's contest was in the +arena. His challenge was directed to the Tezcucan who had inflicted +humiliation upon him. His appearance and actions showed that his object +was to have revenge for the disgrace which the peculiar wound he had +received in the bowmen's contest would fasten upon him. + +The challenge was accepted, and the two warriors stood face to face, +awaiting the moment of action; hatred depicted on the countenance of +one, the other calm and defiant. They were each equipped with javelin +and heavy buckler, and clothed about the body and thighs with a thick +cotton tunic--the arms and lower limbs being entirely free from +covering. They were without the customary headgear--a band only being +worn to confine the long, coarse, black hair. + +The instructions to the opposing warriors were to advance rapidly to a +given point, and throw their weapons to kill--injury or death being +avoided by dodging or catching the javelin on the buckler. + +The great crowd was again hushed. The signals were given, and the rush +of the opponents quickly followed. A whiz and crash were heard, and the +Tezcucan was almost thrown from his feet by the force of the Tepanec's +javelin, which he had succeeded in catching on his buckler. He +immediately recovered himself, and faced his opponent, who, having +dodged his adversary's weapon, stood fiercely watching the effect of +his throw. + +The advantage gained by the Tepanec over the Tezcucan, in the tilt, was +not hailed with any degree of enthusiasm. There were too many friends +of the latter, and others, present, in whose hearts burned the +bitterest national hatred--a hatred for grievances inflicted--for which +every Tepanec, no matter what his position, high or low, was held +responsible. + +It was evident that the Tepanec was the superior adversary, and he knew +it. He was not satisfied with the result of the bout, and a second +trial was demanded. Rather than be branded a coward, the Tezcucan +granted it, but, in doing so, realized that he was no match for his +enemy, and could hardly expect to come out of the contest with a whole +skin, if he did not lose his life. + +The lancers took their respective positions for a second trial. The +signals were given, and they advanced quickly to the throwing point. A +cutting of the air was heard, followed by a crash of javelins and +shields, and the Tezcucan was knocked from his feet to the earth, where +he lay powerless to rise, his buckler having been torn from his hand, +and the weapon of his opponent buried in his body. + +The Tepanec warrior, now insane with rage, rushed upon his fallen foe, +with the evident intention of dispatching him. + +Savage as they were, the Anahuacans had a profound sense of fair play. +When the purpose of the crazed contestant was fully comprehended, the +spectators, as by a single impulse, jumped to their feet, and a shout +of derision went up from them for his wicked and unmanly design. The +time was brief, but not too brief for an avenging hand to come between +the would-be murderer and his fallen adversary. While all eyes were +bent upon the insane victor, with no other thought but that he would +accomplish his revengeful purpose, a hunter leaped into the arena, and, +before the mad deed was consummated, a javelin was sent flying through +the air, which struck the warrior in the neck, felling him, a lifeless +heap, at the side of the prostrate Tezcucan. + +The excitement was now intense. The dead Tepanec and his severely +wounded adversary were forgotten for the moment by the excited +audience, whose attention became centered on the hunter. This man, +whose hand had sent the messenger of death, which so materially +affected the aspect of the tragedy, suddenly became an object of +speculation and the hero of the hour. + +The king commanded that the slayer of the insane warrior be brought +into his presence. When he appeared, in obedience to the command, great +was the surprise and pleasure of Macua, and those with him, to see in +the expert lancer the tzin's companion, Cacami. + +The king said: + +"We would honor the man who can throw a javelin so true, and at such a +time; especially do we take pleasure in honoring Cacami. Wear this," he +continued, placing upon Cacami's breast a decoration which carried with +it honorable preferment, "as a mark of distinction, and also as a +memorial of the valorous deed you have this day performed in behalf of +a fallen man." + +A shout of approbation ascended from the assembled throng, while the +tzin warmly embraced his comrade and friend. + +Cacami was a spectator only, not having determined to take part in the +tournament, because of his engagements, especially on account of his +recent journey to the mountains to assist in bringing the prince to the +city. He was greatly interested in the tourney, however; particularly +so in the tilt with javelins, and excitement might have led him to +enter the contest had the first bout not ended as it did. No eye in +that immense throng took in the situation as promptly as did his; and, +instantly comprehending the purpose of the maddened warrior, he did not +stop to think twice, but sprang to the defense of his fellow Tezcucan, +which resulted, as we have seen, in his killing the vicious Tepanec. + +When quiet was restored and the arena cleared, the tourney was +conducted to a finish, and the great throng gradually melted away, most +of it, however, to reassemble in a different capacity and place outside +of Tlacopan. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + +While the exciting scenes of the tourney were being witnessed on +Tlacopan's _tianguez_, events of an entirely different nature were +transpiring in the palace of Maxtla, at Azcapozalco. The embassy, +consisting of three prominent persons and their attendants, which had +been sent to him with the ultimatum of the allied principalities, +arrived at his capital in great pomp the day preceding the one on which +they were instructed to present it. + +The envoys were royally entertained, as was the custom, by fete and +feast, and made to feel that they were guests of a great monarch. + +The nature of their mission was not known beyond the three +representatives, nor was it expected to be until officially announced. +Maxtla had not the slightest idea as to the significance of it. + +In the forenoon of the day following their arrival at the palace, and +about the time of the opening of the tourney at Tlacopan, an audience +was granted the envoys; and, in the presence of the king and his +counselors, the embassy's mission was made known, and the conditions of +the ultimatum presented. + +Maxtla was astounded and exasperated by what seemed to him the audacity +of his petty neighbors. He, however, held his feelings partially under +subjection. With all his fierceness and cruelty of disposition he was +politic and cunning. He saw, as he thought, in the action of Tlacopan +and her allies, a pretense for advancing his interests in that +direction--the very thing he had been scheming to bring about, and +shaped his course accordingly. + +His reply to the envoys was to the effect that the action of the +governments they represented was an insult, not only to his own dignity +as a monarch, but that of his great empire. Tezcuco, he said, was his +by conquest, and would not be relinquished except by force of arms. The +enthronement of the despised Hualcoyotl, he further said, would be +resisted to the last extremity. + +"Go back to your masters," said he, "and say to them that we scorn +their implied threats, and will resent the insult they have offered us +with the whole force of our empire." + +Maxtla's reply to the conditions of the ultimatum was equivalent to a +declaration of war, and as such the embassy interpreted it. + +Every respect was shown the envoys and their suit; and, when they +departed from the Tepanec capital, they were escorted with due courtesy +beyond the city's confines. + +In a very short time after their departure the word went abroad +throughout Maxtla's dominions that a war was imminent. His scattered +forces began immediately to concentrate, and orders were issued for new +levies to be made on Tezcuco and his other dependencies for additional +troops. + +In due time the couriers returned from Tezcuco with the startling +intelligence that all the Tezcucans proper, who were subject to +military duty, had gone to attend the tourney at Tlacopan, leaving only +his own adherents available for immediate service. + +Maxtla was thunderstruck at this information, for he saw in it the +secret of Tlacopan's temerity. His eyes were opened to the fact that he +had been outwitted by somebody, and that Tezcuco was about to slip away +from him. His anticipations of an easy conquest of the little states +opposed to him assumed a somewhat doubtful aspect, and instead of an +extended empire he saw before him a struggle to maintain his supremacy +over his already acquired territory. Realizing that celerity of action +was imperative, if he would succeed, no time was lost in getting ready +for the strife. + +The circumstances attending the situation pointed to Tezcuco as the +probable field of contention, and troops were therefore sent forward to +that locality as rapidly as organization was effected. + +While Maxtla was marshaling his hosts for war, Macua and his +confederates were not idle at Tlacopan. + +When the concourse of people, which had assembled to witness the +tourney, quietly melted away at its close, preparations were at once +begun to get the allied armies into a condition of mobility. It was not +expected that Maxtla would accede to the demands made in the ultimatum, +so the work of organization went on. + +In the evening of the same day on which the embassy had audience with +Maxtla, advance couriers reached Tlacopan with his reply. Its import +was anticipated, but definite action could not be taken before it +arrived. + +Orders were immediately issued for the armies to be ready to move for +concentration the next morning. It was no longer a secret that war was +to be waged with the Tepanec king, and great excitement and bustle +prevailed on the heels of the tournament. The excitement was of the +profound and solemn sort which is peculiar to preparations preceding a +sanguinary strife for supremacy between opposing armies, especially +with a semi-civilized people. The priests were actively engaged in +their incitations to self-immolation by ceremonies accompanied with +dolefully tuned cantations, causing a weirdness to pervade the very +heart of the multitude, which brought a hush of awe upon the scene, +giving it an aspect at once ominous and funereal. + +All through the fore part of the night following the tournament the +secret councils of Tezcuco were moving in a disorganized but orderly +procession away from Tlacopan, going to the place of armament. When the +morning dawned, an army of them might have been seen massed on the +border of lake Tezcuco, east of the city. Some of them were already +armed, while others were arming, preparatory to marching for +concentration. + +The armies of the nations of Anahuac were, to say the least, +picturesque, and, from a historical standpoint, worthy of a brief +description. + +The higher grades of warriors--caciques, chiefs, etc.--wore, as a +protection to the body, a heavy, quilted, cotton tunic, over which was +usually thrown and fastened their superbly elegant _tilmatli_--mantle +of featherwork. Their legs, in most cases, were protected by leggings +made from various kinds of material, and elaborately fringed with +trimmings of gold and silver, or other bright substance. Short boots, +made from animal skin, or close fitting moccasins encased their feet. +Their headgear was varied in character, often representing the head of +some animal, a fish or other object. The more grotesque and hideous it +was made to appear, the nearer was its purpose attained. However, the +indispensable feather decorations generally prevailed. + +It is quite safe to venture the assertion that the dress of the lords +of Anahuac was not only gorgeously grotesque, but truly magnificent; +while, on the other hand, the uniform of the common soldiers was +strikingly undress, consisting, as it did, for the most part, of a +plain gird about the loins, and a band of some kind to confine the +hair--nothing more. There may have been exceptions to this airiness of +apparel, but, as a rule, not enough to place the very convenient +costume in danger of being superseded by a more elaborate and less airy +one. + +The principal arms used by them in battle were the bow and arrow and +javelin. They were also provided with sling and dart. These instruments +of warfare were pointed with either copper, bone, or obsidian +(_itztli_, a transparent mineral substance, very hard, and capable of +being reduced to the sharpness of a razor). + +The Indian sword (_maquahuitl_) was a heavy staff, on which were +inserted, at regular intervals, short, sharp blades of obsidian. This +weapon was used by the principal warriors. + +The ensemble of an army consisted of battalions, divisions and grand +divisions. The first named numbered four or five hundred warriors; the +second, six or eight thousand; and the last, proportionately larger; +each division and subdivision being under the command of a proper +official--cacique, or chief. At the head of each organization was borne +an appropriate banner, on which was usually to be seen the insignia of +the commandant; while the national standard--the armorial ensign of the +ruling house--usually indicated the position of the person in +command--great chief. + + * * * * * + +The ancient standard of Tezcuco was once more unfurled to the breeze, +and her patriotic hosts stood organized, and ready to receive their +prince. + +Hualcoyotl, accompanied by a retinue of chosen warriors, among whom +were our friends Euetzin and Cacami, both having been generously +remembered by the prince in the distribution of honors, was advancing +to assume command. When discovered by the army, and recognized, they +were received with the acclamation: "Hualcoyotl! Hualcoyotl! Long live +Hualcoyotl and Euetzin!" The latter was regarded for his untiring +efforts in behalf of Tezcuco's independence as being entitled to all +the honor due to any Tezcucan living, and his people were ready at all +times to accord it. + +The hour was a proud one to the two young men: To Euetzin in view of +the crowning of his labors with the grand military display which was +there spread out before him; to the prince for the opportunity which +placed him in position to meet his cruel persecutor on equal footing, +where he could demand, at the point of the javelin, his rights as the +Prince of Tezcuco. He spoke as follows: + +"Warriors, men of Tezcuco: after many years of degradation and +enslavement, you are again permitted to stand beneath your own loved +banner, which was once the delight of our fathers and the pride of our +nation. It has been trailing in the dirt for long; but your determined +look assures me that it will no longer be thus dishonored. There is no +need for me, as your commander, to say, stand firm in the cause of +liberty, for I read upon your faces the will to do or die. Then let us +waste no time until Maxtla and his hordes have been met and brought to +feel the avenging power of wronged Tezcuco's arm. Let our war cry be--" + +"Hualcoyotl and victory! Hualcoyotl and victory!" + +The words which the prince would have spoken were left unsaid, and the +acclamation with which he was interrupted passed like a wave from right +to left, and back again. When quiet was restored, he only said: + +"As you will, and may your victory be complete." + +The order was given to march, and the army of patriotic Tezcucans was +quickly in motion, and on its way to join the allied armies at the +place of rendezvous. + +To strike the confederate armies Maxtla was obliged to march all his +forces around the north end of lake Tezcuco, and south through Tezcucan +territory, as the possessions of the Mexican king were on the west, and +could not be crossed except in disregard of the laws of neutrality. It +therefore required several days for him to get his army into position +for taking the offensive. + +A day or two after the allied armies began to move, they were united on +the borders of Tezcuco, south of its capital city. The combined army +was formed in a hollow square, to receive its commanding general. A +procession approached, which was led by an escort composed of men who +were peculiarly dressed. They were dressed more like hunters than +warriors. In the rear of the escort a palanquin was borne by four men +who were dressed in the same manner as was the escort. When the square +was reached the escort halted, and the chair was borne forward into the +inclosed space. + +Six men walked in front of the palanquin, in five of whom we would have +recognized Hualcoyotl, Macua, tzin Euet, and the other two ruling +caciques. The dress of the sixth person was the same as that worn by +the men in the escort, with the addition of a _tilmatli_. A closer +scrutiny would have made us acquainted with his identity, for in him we +would have found an estimable friend. It was Tezcot. He was the chief +of the escort which was composed of his friends, the mountaineers. The +reason for their being there in the capacity they were will be +presented later. + +When the center of the closely packed square was gained the palanquin +was placed on the ground, and the occupant emerged from it. Hualcoyotl +advanced to his side, and, in a strong voice, addressed the army: + +"Warriors, friends: When the good king, who was the father of him who +now addresses you, ruled the people of Tezcuco, he was surrounded by +wise men and great generals. Many of them shared his fate, which was +death at the hands of the despoilers of our country. One of them, +however, a wise man and great warrior, who was counted lost, escaped +from Tezcuco, and became an unknown refugee. By the stipulations of +coalition, under which this army is organized, I should be its +commander; but, for the good of our cause, I put aside personal +ambition and the honor the high position would confer upon me, and will +name as your commander Ixtlilchoatl, the great warrior, to whom I have +just alluded, who for more than eight years has been living alone in a +fastness on yonder mountains, and known to the mountaineers as Ix, the +hermit. Warriors, in this wise man, who has returned to his own," +continued the prince, taking the hermit by the arm, "behold your +general. Long live Ixtlilchoatl!" + +The acclamation, with which the prince concluded, was taken up by the +army, and vociferated with a will, when it again became still. + +"For this day I have prayed," spoke Ix. "Not that I might stand where I +do at this moment, but that Tezcuco might find friends to help her in a +mighty effort to regain her freedom. To you, who are allied with us +to-day in the cause of liberty, my heart goes out in gratitude. Our +people will remember you in kindness always, no matter what may be +their condition. I have faith in the patriotism of this great army, and +trust in its might. Be firm when the shock of strife shall come, and +the victory will be yours." + +When Ix concluded, he reentered the palanquin and was borne back whence +he came. At the same time the armies began to move for the purpose of +taking up their respective positions, to wait for the advancing host of +Maxtla to offer them battle. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + +In order to make plain certain things which have come under our notice +in the last two chapters, it will be necessary for us to go back to +Tezcot's, and the hermit's cave, and note the doings of our mountain +friends in the interim between the departure from there of Euetzin and +Cacami and the holding of the tournament at Tlacopan. + +Mitla became a changed girl. She had lived to learn that older hearts +than Oxie's were liable to impressions that wound, and that to fall in +love with a noble was, indeed, a serious matter for a mere mountain +girl to do. Her formerly bright and joyous life was clouded. She went +about her duties with a half-heartedness, and seemed most contented +when alone. Her parents and sister divined the cause of the great +change in her disposition, and left her to occupy the time as best +suited her. Knowing so well her generous nature, and how deep was her +gratitude to the tzin for her rescue from the rascally Tepanec +soldiers, they were not surprised that her feelings toward him had +become those of a consuming passion. They treated her with true +sympathy, deeply regretting the circumstances which had led to her +unfortunate condition of mind. + +Tezcot became an almost constant companion of the prince and Ix, and +appeared to have lost all interest in his hunting exploits. + +The management of the surveillance over the hermitage, which had been +established for the protection of the prince, had been intrusted to +Menke, who performed the duty faithfully, securing the vicinity of the +cavern-retreat from intrusion. + +The prince, on being introduced to the hermitage, thought he saw +something familiar about its mysterious occupant, and, becoming +interested, finally discovered who he was. He was at a loss to +understand why the hermit, for several days, persistently avoided all +allusions to himself, unless it was to satisfy a whim. The fact of the +matter was that Ix wished to fathom the character and disposition of +the prince before openly declaring himself. When he found Hualcoyotl to +be a worthy son of his illustrious father, the hermit gave him his +cordial adherence and valuable counsel. + +It is true that Ix gave the prince and tzin his invaluable assistance +on the occasion of the latter's first visit to the hermitage; and it +was he that inserted certain signs and language in the document which +Euetzin bore away with him, that assured the king of Tlacopan of its +genuineness, and secured his confidence in the bearer. Of this, +however, the prince and tzin were not aware at the time. + +Though only a boy, with no particular interest in government affairs, +when his father's sovereignty was so suddenly and disastrously +terminated, the prince remembered Ixtlilchoatl as a person who stood +high in the councils of the king. His discovery of so wise and +experienced an adherent was highly gratifying to him, for he felt that +he needed just such a man to give him counsel. So, after due +consideration, he decided to make him his supervisor of military +affairs, which, subsequently, led to his being placed in command of the +allied armies. + +Tezcot was taken into the secret of Ix's identity, which brought an +acknowledgment from him as to his own nativity. He was a descendant of +the Acolhuans, whose gentle nature he inherited, though not a born +Tezcucan. The prince and Ix welcomed him to their councils, and he +became an almost daily participant in their deliberations. + +Hualcoyotl had always been of a thoughtful turn of mind, and, as an +occupant of a lonely hermit's cave, could scarcely have been expected +to put aside a habit which had become a characteristic. In the hours of +restraint which he was compelled to endure he might have been found +often in a state of abstraction, when visions of future weal, and, +perhaps, exaltation to the high position which his royal ancestors had +filled, would occupy his thoughts. In these absent moods, which were +only waking dreams, it was natural that his favorites should be brought +into an imaginary existence, to give to his fancies a semblance of +reality. Who but Itlza, of Zelmonco, could have shared his dreamings as +a queen, the partner of his fancied exaltation, since the affectionate +regard of his boyhood for her had, through a later contact, suddenly +developed into a passionate desire to possess her for his own. And now +that there was reason to hope for the early restoration of Tezcuco to +her former place among the nations of Anahuac, this desire was further +strengthened by the possibilities to which such a state of affairs +would give rise. + +On the occasion of his brief stop at Zelmonco villa, while journeying +toward the mountains, he resolved, as may be remembered, that, should +the circumstances warranting it ever obtain, she should become his +queen; and the resolution had lost none of its force, but, on the other +hand, had become a fixed purpose. So it happened that the drifting of +events, and the conditions attending them, pointed to the wrecking of +somebody's hopes, which, apparently, only waited a convenient season +for their realization. + + * * * * * + +Successful beyond his most sanguine expectations in the achievements +which crowned his second visit to Macua, King of Tlacopan, on which +occasion he found himself a conspicuous figure in the midst of an +assembly of men high in authority, who only required the encouragement +of a promise of success to make them the determined allies of Tezcuco +in a war with Maxtla, Euetzin's first impulse was to go immediately and +communicate the good news to the prince; but, after calmly weighing the +matter, changed his mind, and proceeded first to arrange for the +massing and equipping of the secret councils of Tezcuco preparatory to +their joining the allied army. When this work was about completed he +left the chiefs of councils to finish it, and, with Cacami and a strong +guard of Tlacopan soldiers, set out with a view to escorting Hualcoyotl +in from the mountains. At the same time he carried an urgent request +from Macua, the King, for the prince to repair to his palace, to remain +the guest of his majesty until the beginning of hostilities, when he +could take his proper position at the head of the army. + +On arriving in the vicinity of Tezcot's, a suitable spot was found for +an encampment, and the soldiers were left to occupy it, while the tzin +and his companion went on to the hunter's alone. + +The friends arrived at the mountaineer's house in the afternoon, and, +as luck would have it, found the hunter at home. They were received in +a very friendly manner by the family, and made to feel that they were +most welcome. Mitla was not so demonstrative as the others, but not +less happy that such was the case. She could suppress all outward +exhibition of her feelings, but could not obscure the passionate light +which shone from her dark eyes as they rested on him whom she loved to +the verge of idolatry. Euetzin saw the expression of gladness, intense +in its fervidness, which greeted him, and, while Cacami occupied the +attention of the rest of the family, found opportunity to say: + +"I read my welcome in your eyes, Mitla, which are wonderfully bright +to-day, and full of gladness. Their language is better than words, for +words are sometimes deceptive." + +"My eyes would always betray my feelings, yet I do not care now, for I +would have you know how truly glad I am that you are here," she +replied, the expression of pleasure deepening, if possible, in its +intensity. + +"I am glad if I bring you pleasure. It is worth a longer journey than +we have made to see you looking so happy," he returned. + +"I wish that words were not sometimes deceptive," she replied, putting +a marked stress on the expression which she borrowed from him, "then +would I, indeed, be happy at hearing you say that." + +"You do not doubt my sincerity, Mitla?" he questioned, slightly +confused at having his own words applied to himself. + +"No, I do not doubt your sincerity; at least, not your desire to be +so--that would be ungenerous; yet I can not help feeling that your +desire to give me pleasure causes you to say what your mind, not your +heart, suggests." This was said, accompanied by an appealing look which +the tzin could not fail to observe. He said, feelingly: + +"I am very, very sorry that you feel so, for nothing that I can say +will make you feel differently." These words were true, and yet not +true. Doubting, as he did, the character of the sentiment which her +presence ever inspired, honor still forbade the utterance of the +declaration which would have made them untrue, yet the declaration +might have been consistently made. It was doubt alone, then, which made +them true. + +"I am sure you speak truly, and that you will be generous in your +thoughts, forgiving a feeling in me which is beyond my control," she +said, giving him a look at once tristful and yearning. + +"I shall not try to controvert your feelings, for they may be just," he +answered, kindly. "But, Mitla, I must be about my business. Our stay +must be very short on the mountains; the time allowed us for coming and +returning will not admit of an hour's extension. However, I will try to +find a little time in which to talk with you before we go away." Her +answer to this was an approving smile; and the tzin turned to Tezcot +and informed him as to the object of their mission, and the necessity +of its hasty accomplishment. The hunter was quick to appreciate the +situation, and immediately set about getting ready to accompany them to +the hermit's cave. + +Passing over the explanations which followed the party's arrival at the +cavern, and the arrangements which led up to the situation as we left +it at Tlacopan, except to say that Euetzin and Cacami learned with +astonishment and pleasure the true character of the hermit, and +rejoiced with Hualcoyotl in view of the prospective restoration to +Tezcuco of her great general. + +All saw the importance of Ix's presence, and as well that of the +prince, at Tlacopan, and not a moment was lost in getting ready to +leave the hermitage. + +Ix was loth to part from his friend Tezcot, who had done him uncounted +acts of kindness, and relieved many of his lonely hours with his +presence. He conceived the idea of forming a bodyguard for himself, and +proposed that his friend should be made its chief. The project was +warmly seconded by the prince and tzin, and pressed so earnestly by +all, that the hunter finally yielded, with the proviso, however, that +his friends, the mountaineers, should be asked to form the guard. This +was agreed to, which resulted in the acquiescence of the hunters, and +their appearance with the army, as we have seen. + +The friends left the hermitage with varied emotions, which we will not +try to interpret. They went slowly down the side of the mountain into +the long ravine, thence out upon a more cheerful lay of the ground, +where they found the walking more to their liking. They were in no +hurry to reach the hunter's home; for darkness, they decided, should +cover their entrance to it. + +A half hour after the arrival of the party at Tezcot's found Cacami on +his way to the camp of the soldiers to inform them of the intended +early departure for the valley on the morrow; and also to make a detail +of men to be at the hunter's at an early hour in the morning, to bear +the palanquin in which the hermit was to make the journey. At the same +time Euetzin and Mitla were out for a quiet talk. They were just +approaching the little knoll where their last meeting occurred some +weeks before, and he was saying: + +"This spot would presently become memorable to us if our meetings on it +should be continued." + +"Yes, and you might add, for me, at least, not less endeared than +memorable," she replied. + +"I shall take pleasure in looking back to it, be assured, Mitla, and +will try to imagine that I see you seated upon it in quiet happiness," +he said, as they were sitting down. "And I am going to ask that you +will permit your thoughts to occasionally dwell upon this hour, and +that other; for, Mitla, I wish to be remembered." + +"Can it be, tzin Euet, that you deem it possible for me to forget you, +though a cycle in years were added to my natural life? How little do +you understand the heart of woman, especially mine, so full of undying +gratitude," returned the stricken maiden, her voice suddenly subsiding +in a hush of sadness; for his words told her that the door of his heart +was still shut against her. + +"You say truly, Mitla; I am, indeed, incapable of understanding the +heart of woman, or I would not be continually saying things which +should be left unsaid. I know very well that for either of us to forget +is an impossibility; for, to do so, it would be necessary to forget an +incident, the terrible circumstances of which are indelibly fixed upon +each of our memories. You must forgive my blundering, and believe me +truly regretful, Mitla, that I am so thoughtless of speech," said he, +contritely. + +"There is nothing to forgive. I am foolishly sensitive, that is all," +she answered, with a sigh. "Forget it." + +"No, Mitla, I shall not forget it," he replied, "but will only let it +pass, to be a reminder, in the future, that I must guard my tongue." + +"As you please, but, pray, do not allow it to annoy you," she returned, +with an effort at cheerfulness. + +Seeing the effort, and thinking to encourage it, the tzin said: + +"Now you appear more like yourself--more like the Mitla I first knew. +Cheerfulness is natural to you, and you should continually court its +presence, for its absence leaves you a loser." + +"I am sorry if it does, for I fear it has forever gone from me," she +answered, falling into the same sad vein again. + +"I can tell you, Mitla, what will restore your cheerfulness," suddenly +spoke the tzin, as if a happy thought had just then come to him, which +caused her to look up expectantly. "Come with your father to Tlacopan, +and shoot for the archers' prize, which the king has offered." + +"On what occasion is the prize to be awarded? I am not informed," she +questioned. + +"That is true; you could hardly have heard it. There is to be a great +tournament soon, at Tlacopan, in which women will contest with bow and +arrow for a beautiful prize. Your father and others are going, and you +can come with them. It will do you good to be there and become +interested in the contest." + +"It would be very foolish of me to think of winning a prize in a +contest with archers who have had experience in the arena," she +replied, dubiously. + +"I do not think so. Your arrow is as true as any that will be there on +that day. Your success would depend on the deliberation with which your +shooting is done. If you are able to compose yourself, under such +circumstances, I think you could win the prize," he said, persuasively. + +"Would it please you to have me go and shoot for the prize?" she asked, +artlessly. + +"It would, indeed, please me, Mitla; and I am sure your chances for +winning it are as good as the best," he replied, with a sincerity +equaling her simplicity. His answer decided the matter in her mind, for +to please, and, at the same time, be near him, she would have done +anything in reason. She said, by way of acquiescence: + +"If my father will not object, I will go, if only in obedience to your +wish." + +"I am grateful for your consideration of my wishes, Mitla, and shall +hold it an honor to have been instrumental in bringing into the arena +an archer who, I am certain, will do credit to herself and her friends. +I will obtain your father's consent; so you may consider it settled +that I shall have the pleasure of seeing you shoot at the tourney." + +She answered smilingly, and with evident satisfaction: + +"I hope you will not be disappointed in your debutante." + +"I am sure I shall not be, even should she fail to win," he rejoined, +pleased at the happy change the idea had produced in her. + +After some little time spent in explanations and talk about the +tournament they were interrupted by Cacami coming along, on his return +from the soldiers' camp. They joined him, and together went into the +house. + +The next morning found the hunter's house a scene of lively +preparations for the departure of the tzin and his party. A rude +palanquin had been hastily constructed in which to transport the +hermit, who was not considered equal to the accomplishment of the +journey on foot. Hualcoyotl had been furnished by the tzin with a +Tlacopan warrior's outfit, which would secure him from detection. + +The soldiers who had been detailed to bear the palanquin were early on +the ground, and everything was in readiness for moving. + +Mitla was sadly disappointed in the result of her meeting with the +tzin; there appeared to be no cause for hope in a requital of her great +love by a return of his. When the moment came for parting she would +have slipped away to hide the signs of her despair, which she felt must +be apparent; but the tzin prevented it by insisting on her going a +short distance with him. So it happened, when the cortege moved away +from the house, she was walking at his side; while Oxie, vivacious and +happy, walked and talked with the prince. + +The opportunity for the development of Oxie's suddenly acquired +admiration for Hualcoyotl into a stronger sentiment had not been +afforded, as in the case of Mitla for Euetzin; she was, therefore, +under no restraint, though in that peculiar mental condition which +would have required but little encouragement to arouse a passionate +sentiment which was only slumbering, and not profoundly either. + +The tzin had secured the hunter's promise that Mitla should accompany +friends to Tlacopan, to be present at the tourney and contest for the +king's prize. On learning this she became quite cheerful, in view of +the fact that she would soon see him again, and the parting, as a +consequence, had comparatively little of sadness in it for her. + +Good-byes were said, and the hunter and his daughters returned to their +home, feeling that sense of loneliness which ever follows the breaking +up of associations that have become dear to the heart. + +The prince bade adieu to the mountains, in the fastnesses of which he +had suffered so much, with no feelings of regret. Ix had learned to +love the solitude of his hermitage, and, while rejoicing in the +prospect of being restored to his people and country, felt a tinge of +sadness as he cast his eyes for the last time toward the mountain which +had given him security for eight long years. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + + +The battles of the Anahuacans were not fought on scientific principles. +They had no conception of even the ordinary maneuvers of an army. What +they did was done by main force and strategem. Their tactics were the +result of untutored cunning, rather than intelligent design. To be +sure, their armies were organized--as has been previously +described--and, with their gaudy and glittering war paraphernalia of +gorgeously decorated banners, bright shields, helmets, and cuirasses, +presented a sight truly magnificent--according to the story of writers +contemporaneous with the conquerors--as they moved forward in "so +admirable order." They usually aimed to overwhelm an adversary, +especially if the strength of numbers was on their side. They advanced +amid the noises of rude drums, trumpets, and other instruments, singing +their war songs, and vociferating their war cries, which was, no doubt, +a kind of whistle-to-keep-up-your-courage proceeding. When on the +defensive they resorted to cunningly devised ambuscades and other +sudden surprises. They also practiced that peculiar manner of fighting +common with savages, known as guerilla warfare, in which men have +stooped to engage, in this nineteenth century, who claimed to be +civilized. + +Ixtlilchoatl's plans for meeting his adversary had been decided upon. +He purposed standing on the defensive, and, if Maxtla was not informed +as to the make-up of his army, felt that he could defeat him. He +accordingly, at their request, placed three grand divisions--those of +Tlacopan and the other two allies--in front to meet the onslaught of +the enemy, while two divisions of Tezcucans were conveniently located +to support them. The right of his line was made especially strong, in +accordance with his plan of defense. The sixth grand division, the +flower of the Tezcucan councils, was situated some distance to the +left, and ordered to remain in concealment behind a strip of woods +until the engagement was fairly opened, when it was to advance quickly +and attack the enemy from that direction. Thus disposed, the army +awaited the assault of the foe. + +The Tepanec army was splendidly caparisoned and equipped, and, as it +marched across the country with its gorgeous banners flapping in the +breeze, and the glittering armor and other belongings of its warriors +scintillating in the sun's refulgent rays, left behind it the +impression that it was an invincible force. The people, whose hearts +beat in sympathy with those who were to oppose the mighty aggregation, +despaired of its defeat as they looked upon its dazzling splendor. It +was clearly the stronger of the two opposing belligerents in equipment +if not in numbers, and yet, the difference was more than equalized by +the spirit of determination, which inspired the hearts of its +opponents, especially the Tezcucans, who had witnessed their country +wasting under the hand of oppression, their homes made desolate by +poverty and distress, and their people gradually sinking into a +condition of ignorance and degradation, while, in the advancing hosts +of Maxtla they recognized the power which had wrought these +disheartening deteriorations. Was it not enough to make each Tezcucan +arm a nemesis in itself, when the sufferer and the author of his +suffering stood face to face, on equal footing? + +Some of the allied armies were as gaudily, if not so richly, accoutered +as their adversary. The Tezcucans, however, although well armed, were +indifferently dressed, and remarkably free from tinseled decoration, +except in a few instances among the chiefs. + +Maxtla, on learning that his enemies were in the field, determined to +attack them at once, as delay would give them time to strengthen and +perfect their organization, in which he was, to a certain extent, +correct; for recruits and reinforcements from various points were +hourly arriving to swell the allied army. + +He was not aware of the deliberate manner in which the rising had been +brought about, and expected to meet in the Tezcucan insurgents only a +mob of undisciplined rebels. He had yet to learn how perfectly they +were organized, and that Ixtlilchoatl was in command. + +On came the imperial hosts, intent upon crushing the insurrectionists +and their allies at a single blow. Ixtlilchoatl's advance sentinels +were forced back upon the main body of his warriors, and, with hideous +yells and a multiplicity of deafening noises, the minions of Maxtla +swooped down upon the waiting confederates. + +A perfect silence held the expectant lines of the patriotic allies. The +showers of arrows and other missiles which fell about and on them moved +them not. When the moment for action came, a shout of defiance went up +from them, and the confident hosts of the enemy were given a reception +they were not looking for. The javelin was used with telling effect, +and the advancing lines of Maxtla's vassals were shaken from right to +left, and the force of his onslaught broken. For a moment the attacking +warriors were checked, and appeared to waver; but, quickly recovering, +renewed the assault, and it now became a matter of force in numbers. In +this Maxtla had the advantage, and Ix's left was forced back, as it was +expected it would be. His right, however, being well supported, held +the first advantage gained, and pressed the enemy hard. The left +continued to fall back slowly, though contesting every inch of ground. +This encouraged the Tepanec leaders, and they poured their reserve +forces onto this point, thinking to crush the slowly retreating +divisions. To an eye witness the situation at this moment would have +looked very unfavorable for Ixtlilchoatl and his prince, if not +absolutely critical. But now was the time for the sixth grand division +of Tezcucans to strike where a stroke was least expected. Its commander +was prompt to take advantage of the opportunity, and out from the thick +woods poured a host of vengeful warriors, with Tezcuco's prince at +their head. The battle-cry of "Hualcoyotl and Victory" struck upon the +ear of the enemy like a knell, as they fell upon the rear of his right +like an avalanche of destruction. The retreating left took up the cry +and leaped forward with a will; the middle, or center, Macua's splendid +division of Tlacopans, reechoed it, and it soon reached the right, the +warriors of which sent back an inspiring shout, and from it gathered +renewed strength for the conflict, which now became one of fierceness +and desperation. + +Many were the heroic deeds enacted in that hour of terrible and +sanguinary strife. + +While the battle is raging, let us turn briefly to those in whom we are +specially interested. + +Hualcoyotl, as we have seen, led the grand division of Tezcucans from +its concealed position to the sudden attack upon the rear of Maxtla's +right. Cacami was at his side, and with his sword, along with that of +the prince, dealt death to the now inwalled warriors of the enemy. Such +an exhibition of fearlessness as these two young leaders showed, and +the severe punishment they inflicted on the foe with their heavy +swords, was an example which could not fail to stir their followers to +deeds of savage daring. The enemy in their front became confused and +demoralized by the impetuosity with which they fought, and from which +confusion they were not allowed to recover, but were forced back upon +their own men, carrying demoralization with them. More than once the +life of the prince was saved by Cacami's strong arm, which seemed to +wield with magic power the heavy maquahuitl in his hand. + +Tzin Euet, who was at the head of the Tezcucans supporting the right, +was quickly drawn into the fight when the shock of the first assault +came. He led his warriors gallantly into the fray, and by his intrepid +conduct nerved their hands for the conflict. In the midst of the +hottest and decisive tug of the strife he suddenly disappeared, and +when the great struggle ended could not be found. + +Ixtlilchoatl remained calmly in his chair, watching from a position of +eminence the progress of the mighty struggle in front of him. So long +as the fighting went on in accordance with his plans he saw no reason +for disturbing his chiefs by interfering. However, when he saw that +Maxtla had fallen into his trap, messengers were hurriedly sent with +orders to the leaders to meet the situation, and, as the battle waged, +he saw that he would win. His guard of mountaineers, with Tezcot at +their head, stood ready to strike for Ix, the hermit, as they still +regarded him, should necessity require it. + +Macua, with his grand division of Tlacopans, was doing good work in the +front and center. In the closing scenes of the engagement his warriors +gathered in a host of prisoners. + +Everything was now in the allies' favor. Half of Maxtla's forces were +surrounded, and the other half was being hard pressed by as determined +a body of warriors as ever threw a javelin or swung a _maquahuitl_. The +Tepanec tyrant saw that the battle was going against him, and his +efforts were at once directed toward extricating his army from its +precarious position. The signal to retreat was sounded, and the +surrounded warriors, with the force of desperation, fought their way +through the human wall which encircled them, and joined the main body, +which began to slowly fall back. + +It was late in the afternoon when the Tepanec army commenced its +retrograde movement. The victorious allies followed up their advantage +so long as it was possible, fighting and harrassing their retreating +foe. Darkness finally came on, which put a stop to the strife. + +It was not so much an object to kill, with the Anahuacans, ordinarily, +as it was to capture. + +Prisoners of war were reserved for sacrifice to the gods; and in order +that greater numbers might be secured, incentives were held out to the +soldiers to encourage the taking of them. They did not engage in the +barbarous practice of scalping a fallen foe, but made a warrior's +standing and promotion depend on the number of prisoners taken by him +in battle, and any violation of his rights, by depriving him of his due +as a captor, was severely punished--in extreme cases by death. For this +reason their battles were attended with comparatively little loss of +life. + +The losses of the allies were mostly in prisoners, the number of their +killed being quite small. Maxtla's losses, on the contrary, were +chiefly in killed, for the reason that the Tezcucans, on this occasion, +fought a fight of extermination. At least one fifth of the defeated +army was left in the hands of the victors. + +The victorious allies bivouacked for the night on the field of battle. +The wounded were cared for and the dead disposed of, while the +prisoners were put under a strong guard and sent to the rear. + +When order was brought out of confusion, and the missing warriors +reported, Euetzin was found to be among them. This was a heavy blow to +the prince and Ixtlilchoatl; for, of all the army, he was the man whom +they would have had join them in rejoicing over their victory. His +ominous absence robbed it of much of the joy their triumph would +otherwise have brought them. They knew only too well the doom that +awaited him if in Maxtla's hands; if not liberated, his fate was +sealed. + +A council of war was held; and, as the tzin stood high in the esteem of +all the princes, it was decided to push Maxtla to the wall, and, if +possible, save the young cacique from the terrible fate of a prisoner +of war. Ixtlilchoatl accordingly issued orders for the army to march at +dawn the next morning, for the purpose of again engaging the enemy in +battle. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + + +Tzin Euet was a prisoner, and very severely wounded. Eagerness to +engage the enemy, and the impetuosity with which he led his warriors to +the support of the allies, brought him, quickly, into the thickest of +the fray. He fought as men only fight who realize the importance of a +complete victory, which, in this instance, depended on the tenacity of +the right wing of the army in holding the foe in check and calling for +the engagement of his whole force by pressing him vigorously, which was +according to Ixtlilchoatl's plan of defense, and of which Euetzin was +fully advised. + +When the Tezcucan battle-cry was heard coming from the sixth grand +division as it fell upon the enemy's right flank, and was carried from +left to right by the sister organizations, a fresh impetus was given to +the momentum of the whole repelling army, and the battle, if possible, +grew more fierce and sanguinary. In the struggle which ensued the tzin +was carried into the very midst of the seething mass of human tigers, +where he became separated from his men. When too late to extricate +himself, he discovered, to his dismay, that he was surrounded by +Tepanec warriors, who, seeing in him an important capture, struck him +down with the javelin, and bore him, a bleeding prisoner, from the +field. + +In the retreat of the defeated army the prisoners were placed in the +van--the severely wounded borne on stretchers. Euetzin was among the +latter, feeling very much discouraged in view of his almost helpless +condition, though glad of heart for the splendid victory his people had +won. + +Soon after darkness came on, Maxtla called a halt and his shattered +forces went into camp. In the arrangement of the bivouac the wounded +were placed apart from the regular organizations, and put in charge of +surgeons, with which the armies were well supplied, and of whom the +historian has said, in commendation: "Not with a view to prolonging the +ill to extend the bill," as might be said of some modern practitioners, +"was their skill directed, but to a speedy restoration of the patient +to health." + +Such a thing as a night attack was never considered by the Anahuacans +in carrying on a war, and, so long as darkness covered the earth, an +army of warriors could go to sleep with the assurance that they would +not be disturbed by the enemy. A guard, therefore, was not established +anywhere in Maxtla's army, except about the prisoners. This left the +wounded almost free from surveillance. + +Soon after the Tepanec forces went into camp a lad, apparently about +fourteen or fifteen years of age, and rather stoutly built, might have +been seen moving about among the soldiers. His dress was somewhat odd, +indicating no particular connection or occupation. When asked as to who +he was and where he lived, he answered, evasively, that he lived over +near the lake, which was not a league away. He did not appear to be a +person who might be suspected of having a special object in being +there, and require watching. He was, therefore, permitted to move about +of his own free will. + +During the evening the youngster found opportunity to go among the +wounded. He appeared to be searching for someone, for he scrutinized +each person closely, as he passed. When he came to the tzin, and got a +good look at him, his countenance quickly brightened--he had discovered +the object of his search. Gaining Euetzin's attention, he gave him a +sign of caution, and moved carelessly on. + +The tzin recognized in the strange visitor a lad he had seen on several +occasions, in the last few days before the battle, apparently doing +duty as a messenger for someone in the allied army, and wondered +greatly at his being in the Tepanec camp. He was sure from the boy's +actions that he had something to communicate, and kept on the lookout +for his return. He came, sure enough, and unconcernedly approached the +tzin, who said: + +"Do you wish to speak to me?" + +In response to the inquiry the lad came quite close, and whispered: + +"When the fires have burned out, and darkness hides you, come to a tree +just beyond the camp--almost to the west--where you will find help to +escape. Do not hesitate." Without waiting for a reply the strange youth +turned slowly away, and disappeared. + +Euetzin was greatly astonished. "What interest can the boy have in me, +that he is here to aid in my escape?" he questioned. "And yet," he +pursued, "he may be the agent of another. If I only might," he +concluded, realizing his seemingly helpless condition. He had quite a +little while in which to think over the matter before the fires would +burn sufficiently low to enable him to withdraw from the camp unseen. +He doubted his ability to succeed, for he was feeling very sore. His +wound was a serious one, and that he might try to get away was not +thought of by the doctors. He knew that it would be endangering his +life to make the attempt, but when he considered that death was ahead +of him if he remained a prisoner, he concluded that it had better be +met in an effort to escape than at the hands of the Tepanec priests, +later. Thus persuaded, he decided to take the risk. + +When the time arrived at which he thought he might safely attempt to go +he raised himself to a sitting posture, and looked about him to be +assured that everything was favorable. Nothing could be seen or heard +to deter him from starting at once, and quietly rolling from the +stretcher onto his hands and knees, he crawled slowly and noiselessly +from among the wounded warriors, careless as to whether they were +sleeping or not, so long as his movements were not discovered. He +almost forgot his suffering in the excitement he experienced from the +hope of a possible escape, which grew stronger as, by degrees, he +approached the limits of the camp. After getting safely beyond he +attempted to rise to his feet, but found the exertion too painful to be +endured, and sank back upon the ground, where he lay until the pain +subsided, when he again started off, crawling. He had pursued, as +nearly as he could estimate, a westerly course from the camp, and when +he had gone a short distance farther from it, stopped to look for the +tree alluded to by the boy. He discovered one off to his right, which +he concluded must be the right one, and again resumed his slow and +painful movement in its direction. It proved to be the tree referred +to, for, on coming close to it, he was discovered by the lad, who was +on the watch for him, and seemed highly delighted at his appearance. + +"I am so glad!" he exclaimed, "for I feared you would not come." + +"What is it to you, boy, whether I come or stay?" asked the tzin, +abruptly. + +"It is much to me, which I hope you will live to learn. But now, tzin +Euet, let it be enough for you to know that I am here to help you," +returned the lad in some confusion, caused by tzin's abruptness. + +"But I would like to know who you are, that takes so much interest in +my welfare." + +"My name is Hualla, tzin--just Hualla, but you must not question me. +Time is precious to us, and we must hasten. In yonder woods, toward the +lake, we may find security. When we are there you shall know where I +came from." + +"I already know where you came from, for I have seen you in our army; +but I would know more: I would know why you are interested in me," +persisted the tzin. + +"We are losing time; let us be off," returned the youth, evasively, and +with increasing anxiety. + +"Is there no one with you?" questioned the tzin. + +"No one; I am alone." + +"My young friend, I can not walk; how then, do you imagine, am I going +to reach those woods without assistance?" Spoken in a tone of +disappointment. + +"I will assist you. I am strong, if not very large," was the confident +reply. + +"You are very good, Hualla, in being so willing and anxious to help me, +but I fear you will not be equal to the demands which my crippled +condition will require in an effort to gain the cover of yon woods." + +"You will let me try, tzin; I may be stronger than you think," said the +lad, taking hold of Euetzin's arm to assist him to rise. + +"Yes, you may try. Until you have done so, we will not despair; our +combined efforts may prove successful," said Euetzin, getting onto his +feet, with the assistance of the youth. + +"Now lean on me," said Hualla, putting his arm around the tzin's body. +"In this way I think we can get on." + +A heroic effort was now made by both to get away from the vicinity of +Maxtla's camp. The tzin suffered intensely at every step, and his face, +could it have been seen, would have shown a deathly pallor. While the +effort continued he found it necessary to gradually lean more heavily +upon his support, until the youth, from sheer inability to proceed +farther, allowed his burden to sink to the ground. + +They had covered in the effort quite a little distance, and the lad, +though considerably exhausted, was encouraged. But just here a new +complication entered into the situation: the bandages which confined +the tzin's wound had become disarranged by his exertions, and +hemorrhage ensued. There was no alternative in the matter: they must +stop and rearrange the disordered bandages. + +Stretching himself on the ground, the tzin gave directions to Hualla as +to how he should proceed, and the bleeding was checked. In performing +the operation, no woman's fingers ever worked more gently than did +Hualla's. + +The tzin once more endeavored to rise to his feet, but failed in the +attempt because of the extreme pain it caused him. + +"I can go no farther, Hualla," he said, in deep distress. + +The lad appeared to be greatly affected by the failure, as Euetzin +could discern, even in the darkness. He walked away a few steps, as if +to hide his emotion. Returning presently, he said, in an excited tone +of voice: + +"Tzin Euet, you must escape. Macua, my master, and Hualcoyotl--yes, +Ixtlilchoatl, too, would have it so. I will carry you." + +Euetzin was astonished at the vehemence in the youth's actions, and +also at his allusion to Ix and the two princes. He quickly inquired: + +"Are you a servant to Macua, and here at his bidding?" + +"Yes, I am a servant to Macua, but he knows nothing of my being here. I +heard the voice of sorrow when it was discovered that you were missing, +and in that moment resolved to save you, if it could be done," replied +the youth, fervidly. + +"You are a noble lad, Hualla, and should I escape to live, your conduct +shall be richly rewarded." + +"You must escape," repeated the youth in a voice of great earnestness. +"Get upon my back, and I will bear you to the woods." + +"I do not think you have the strength, Hualla, to do that; and if you +had, it would be too much to expect of you." + +"Yes, it would be much to expect of me, if it were not a case of life +and death. That makes the difference, tzin, and you must allow me to +make the attempt." + +Euetzin was silent for a moment, and then said: + +"Hualla, I think we will have to give your proposition a trial, as it +appears to be our only hope, though a slight one, of reaching those +woods." + +The tzin was not a small man, nor was he large, but, nevertheless, a +heavy load for such a person as Hualla to carry for any considerable +distance. The feat was undertaken with some degree of success; and as +the tzin was borne along on the back of the youth a tinge of shame +might have been seen to redden his tawny brow, brought there by a +thought of his unmanly position, and the boy's wonderful and almost +superhuman efforts to get him into the woods. + +Hualla succeeded in covering more than half the distance they had to +go, but it was a fearful draught upon his strength, and he finally had +to succumb from complete exhaustion. He said not a word, but dropped +upon the ground and fairly gasped for breath. + +Euetzin was deeply moved by the evident distress of the brave lad, who +lay panting at his side, and for whom he could do nothing. He silently +waited for him to recover, wondering the while if there was not some +other incentive than that of devotion to his master back of the +prodigious efforts he was making in his behalf. + +Hualla lay perfectly still for some time, when he suddenly got up and +said: + +"Another effort like that, tzin, will bring us safely within the woods. +If you are ready, I will try again." + +"You will not try again, Hualla," replied the tzin, firmly. "If we can +not gain the woods in some other way I will remain where I am. You +shall not again exhaust yourself thus for my sake." + +"I will do anything, tzin Euet, to secure your safety," was the lad's +earnest rejoinder. + +"I believe you would, Hualla. Still, I do not intend that you shall +hurt yourself in doing it. I can not understand why you--a +stranger--should exert yourself to the extent you are doing to secure +my safety. The thought of it amazes me." + +"Do not think of it, then, tzin. So long as I am pleased to help you, +it should not be so very wonderful. I have my own reasons for doing it; +let that satisfy you--until you are safe, at least." + +"It is wonderful, nevertheless, my lad. However, if it pleases you to +serve me in this way, and the service is accepted--which it is, with +unbounded gratitude--its acceptance should be without question. So, +Hualla, I'll trouble you no more about it. If you will permit me to +lean on you for support, we will make another effort--such as we made +in starting out. I will try my best to endure the attendant suffering," +said the tzin. + +Hualla assisted him to his feet, and caught him about the waist, +holding him for a moment, until he was assured of his ability to +proceed. The pain, which the effort cost him, was great, but, shutting +hard his teeth, and leaning heavily on the lad, who put forth his best +efforts, the tzin slowly, but surely, reduced the distance to the +woods, until, finally, after several successful efforts, he entered its +sheltering confines, where the two--one bruised and sore, the other +almost exhausted--laid themselves down to await the coming morn, which +was not very far away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + + +At the dawn of morning, the day following the one on which the great +battle was fought, the allied armies, after being addressed by their +respective caciques, began to advance, with a view to another +engagement with Maxtla, for the purpose, chiefly, of securing, if +possible, the liberation of the prisoners in his hands. The chiefs, in +addressing their warriors, dwelt especially on the capture of tzin +Euet, the man--as they expressed it--who had done so grand a work for +Tezcuco and the cause of liberty, who, above all others, they felt, +should enjoy the fruits of that work, and whose release it was hoped +might be brought about by the further discomfiture of the enemy. + +Flushed with the stimulus of a great victory, and anxious to again +measure strength with the Tepanec hosts, the warriors of the coalited +army marched away from their bivouac with a zeal which augured well for +them and the confusion of their adversaries, should they meet again in +deadly conflict. + +The camp of the enemy was known to have been pitched on a plain +situated on the further side of a piece of woodland which lay just +north of the field of the recent battle. Ixtlilchoatl moved his forces +cautiously through this piece of woods, expecting to find Maxtla +encamped beyond, in blissful ignorance of their approach. Great was the +surprise, then, of the eager and expectant allies, when they came out +onto the plain, to find the enemy gone--the bird had flown, though, +evidently, only a short time before. A rapid pursuit was immediately +ordered, and ere long the retreating foe was overtaken and another +great battle fought. + +The advantages, in point of numbers and excellence of organization, +together with the prestige of former successes, which were on the side +of the Tepanec army when it entered the field against the allies, had +been swept away by a disastrous defeat, and its warriors, further +disheartened and demoralized by a humiliating retreat, which left them +wholly unfitted to cope with an equally numerous army, whose members +were energized by a consciousness of right, the invigoration of +victory, and a determination to overthrow the power which had long been +a menace to tribal independence. + +The second battle was fought by the Tepanec leaders more on the line +of self-preservation and the hope of getting off with a whole skin +than with the expectation of doing their opponents material damage. +A desperate conflict ensued, however, in which every inch of ground +was stubbornly contested by them, but which, as might have been +expected, ended in that wicked and tyrannical son of a barbarian +despot--Maxtla--being again discomfited and forced to yield to his +hated foe. A disastrous retreat followed, and, had not darkness come +on to check the avenging hosts of Tezcucans, who pursued with deadly +havoc the vanquished horde, the routed army would have been +effectually disintegrated, if not wholly annihilated. + +The prisoners, with whom Euetzin was supposed to be, were not found, +and therefore not liberated. Thus was defeated one of the chief motives +which had led to the sudden advance of the allies. + +Victory was won, and with it a crown, but at what a cost to Prince +Hualcoyotl's mind, in the contemplation of the awful fate which he now +felt awaited his best-beloved friend. Great as was the success +achieved, he had no heart, in that supreme hour, for exultation. He +bowed his head in sorrow for his lost friend, and, leaving the +management of affairs to Ixtlilchoatl and his subordinates, retired to +a spot where he could be alone, that he might wrestle with his deep +mental distress. + +Maxtla, realizing that his army was crushed beyond hope of immediate +reconstruction, continued his flight by night, to get as far from the +victorious allies as possible before the light of day should reveal to +the country the crippled and demoralized condition of his army. No stop +was made until he had passed around and beyond the city of Tezcuco into +his own territory, where a bivouac was established, and his warriors +given a rest. So far as it could be done, order in his shattered ranks +was restored, and the march to his capital resumed and ended. + +No acclamations or demonstrations of approval greeted the return of the +imperial army to Azcapozalco. With solemn, funereal tread it entered +the royal city, which soon became filled with a wail of woe ascending +from the bereaved and stricken inhabitants, who mourned for the missing +and slain. How different was its departure! + +Maxtla did not despair under the greatly adverse conditions in which he +found himself after his short and disastrous campaign, but immediately +set about reorganizing his army, with a view to recovering his imperial +standing. His domain embraced a thickly populated territory, and was +not lacking in material from which to reconstruct his depleted forces. +The outcome of it was that, in a very short time, he was better +prepared for war than when he went forth to meet the allies. + +The prisoners taken in the battles by his warriors were brought safely +through, and, as was the custom, placed in confinement to await their +doom of sacrifice upon the altars of the Tepanec deities. + +Ixtlilchoatl, greatly elated over the successes which had so suddenly +been achieved by the armies under him, and, having conceived the idea +of giving Hualcoyotl a magnificent reception back to his own, began at +once to get things in shape for a grand entry into Tezcuco. Then +followed the memorable march to the city, which, we are told, was one +continued ovation to the returning prince. "He entered his capital," +says the chronicler, "not like a proscribed outcast, but as the +rightful heir to a throne, receiving, at the same time, the homage of +his joyful subjects." His triumph was complete, but, with it all, there +was an aching void in his heart: his enemy had escaped, and carried +with him, as he supposed, the best of all his friends. + +He was back in his palace, surrounded by the men who had stood with him +in the fierce and deadly conflicts through which he was compelled to +pass to reach it. Ix, the warrior hermit, whose intelligence and +sagacity had directed the army to victory; Macua and his princely +consorts; Tezcot, the wise hunter and good friend; Cacami, now a +warrior whose undoubted bravery and skill were conspicuously shown in +more than one furious encounter, and which were fully appreciated by +the prince; and Menke, Oza and Kan, and many others who have held no +particular place in our narrative, yet worthy of it when valorous deeds +are considered, were there engaged in celebrating, in an enthusiastic +manner, the event of their lives--the victorious close of a remarkable +conflict. + +Now, indeed, was Tezcuco free from Tepanec enthrallment, her people +restored to their ancient privileges, and her prince brought back from +an outlawed condition to the enjoyment of his inherited rights. + +The power of the military immediately supervened, but its rule was not +oppressive, for Ix, the hermit, was not a tyrant. + +The greatest activity in all things suddenly became apparent. The +king's palace quickly became a scene of rustling animation. While +artisans were laboring to restore it to its ancient splendor, the +prince and his attendants were busily engaged in bringing order out of +chaos. Ah, how he missed his two best friends, Euetzin and Itzalmo, in +that hour of incipient well-being and future greatness! + +The teocallis were receiving needed attention, after years of neglect +and waste, in anticipation of the coming rites, which were to be +celebrated in honor of the prince's coronation. + +The spirit of self-interest and industry, which had lain dormant in the +hearts of the enslaved Tezcucans since the subversion of their +government, was revived with their restoration to liberty, and activity +prevailed where only a few days before was lethargy and inaction. +Wonderful transformation! The people were free! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + + +We will turn once more to Zelmonco villa, on which sorrow has again +fallen through the afflicting hand of war. + +It is a beautiful evening, an hour after the night-shades have swept +away the last gleam of day. The moon's golden-hued disc is beaming +refulgently down upon the glowing face of Anahuac. The unruffled +foliage of shrub and tree is overcast with a silvern tinge, the +reflection of Luna's mellow light on Nature's inimitable green, while, +like groups of twinkling stars from afar, are seen in the distance the +sacred fires which light up every temple's summit, and which are never +permitted to go out. At such an hour, in which inanimate Nature, +superbly robed and serenely smiling, wholly unresponsive to the sorrow +which saddens her animate sister, as represented in the grief-stricken +inmates of the villa home, we are privileged, as visitors, to stroll in +the direction of the old oak tree, under which, in the past, the now +mourning Itlza has found her chief pleasure in idle moments. As we +approach the spot the first object to attract our attention is the +flowerlike appearance of the beautiful fountain. We pause for a moment +to view with delight the graceful turn and fall of its translucent +waters, which resemble in the moon's soft rays a great white lily. In +the excitement of our admiration we are led to repeat, mentally: + +"Into the moonlight, whiter than snow, Beautiful, flower-like, +ceaseless thy flow. Glorious fountain----!" + +What sound is that which breaks in upon our reflection, scarcely louder +than a murmur, rising in gentle undulations above the ripple of the +fountain's flow as it falls into the effervescing pool below? + +"My heart is sad--very, very sad, and were it not for your safe return, +O Cacami, desolation would, indeed, overwhelm me." + +It was Itlza's voice, low and sorrowful, addressing her lover, who had +improved the first favorable moment, after the army became settled in +Tezcuco, to visit the villa, where he found Teochma prostrated with +grief, and Itlza very sad, though supported by the expectation of an +early visit from him. + +"Despair not, O Laughing-eyes; Euetzin may yet find favor with the +gods. He is not dead, or his body would have been found upon the battle +field." + +"It were better, Cacami, if he were dead; for, oh, what a fate awaits +him, if he is a prisoner!" she replied, sorrowfully. + +"Let us not think of that, but rather hope against such a fate, and for +a little while rejoice that we are once more brought together." + +"I do rejoice, Cacami, in your preservation, and that I have you with +me again; but how can I forget, for one moment, my poor, unfortunate +brother?" + +"Do not forget him, Laughing-eyes, but be cheered by the hope that he +is not lost." + +"I will try, and you will help me by recounting of yourself. How do you +rank in this hour of our people's triumph?" she questioned, with a +supreme effort at rallying from her dejection. + +"I have no particular rank as yet, Laughing-eyes, more than that of one +of the prince's chief attendants. I stood with him through both +battles, and we have come to be very good friends." + +"I see that you have been decorated, but do not know the significance +of the badges you wear. Tell me about them, Cacami." + +"This decoration," he said, directing her attention to a beautifully +constructed and highly ornamental badge, "was awarded me by Hualcoyotl +for doing my duty--he called it valorous conduct in battle. I prize it +above all else, for it tells me I am no longer unworthy of your love." +Looking up at her fondly. + +"Who but yourself ever thought you unworthy?" she quickly answered. + +"It was enough that I should think so, Laughing-eyes, without +consulting the thoughts of others." + +"Well, I'm glad you have changed your mind, at any rate," she rejoined, +in quite a happy vein. "But this other one, Cacami, what deed of +bravery brought you that?" she continued, lifting from his breast a +superbly finished medal. + +"No deed of bravery brought me that, Itlza. It was won by skill; and is +the price of a man's life." + +"O, why did you tell me that?" interrupted she, dropping the blood +bought bauble. + +"Wait, Laughing-eyes, until you have heard the story; then you will not +think so badly of it," he replied, in answer to her repellantly +ejaculated question. "It was given me by Macua, king of Tlacopan, at +the great tourney in token of his appreciation of my skill in throwing +the javelin. I was not a contestant, but, notwithstanding, had occasion +to use my weapon. It happened in this wise: In a bout between lancers a +Tepanec warrior was bent on murdering his opponent after he had struck +him down. When I saw his purpose I sprang to the defense of the fallen +man, killing the would-be assassin with my javelin before he +accomplished the foul deed. And know, O Laughing-eyes, the defeated +lancer was a Tezcucan. Can you blame me for doing what the people +applauded, and Macua rewarded?" + +"No, Cacami, I can not blame you. I should have judged you better. The +badge becomes you; wear it where Macua placed it, but only as his gift, +forgetting it was won at such a cost." + +"I felt sure you would not blame me for defending a fallen countryman, +even at the cost of a foeman's life. He was a foeman, Laughing-eyes, a +foeman of Tezcuco's, or why his bitter hatred for the warrior whom he +had fairly defeated?" + +"Yes, it must have been hatred that lead him on to his death; but, +Cacami, such scenes are best forgotten; let us talk of something else." + +"Shall we talk of love, then, Laughing-eyes?" + +"Better that than of scenes of blood. Yes, let us talk of love. What of +the troth, O Cacami, which was left unpledged until you, with your +sword, should win honor and fame? Are you not a decorated warrior now?" + +"Yes, Laughing-eyes, I am; but is it well to talk of pledges now? Had +we not better wait? I am not less desirous than yourself to seal our +love with the sacred kiss of troth; but, Itlza, your brother, the best +friend I ever had, may yet be saved; and, should he be, I want him to +know, and Teochma, your mother, too, before our pledge is sealed. Our +love will keep, as it has in the past. Who knows, but ourselves, that +we are lovers? And, since this is so, who may come between us?" + +Ah, Cacami! if you had only known what lay beyond, we think you would +hardly have plead for delay, though in doing so you showed an honorable +disposition. + +"Who, indeed, may come between us?" returned Itlza, in a spirit of +concession. "It were honorable in you, Cacami, to be considerate of my +mother and brother's pleasure in the matter of our troth. I should not +be the one to urge it against your reason, nor will I. No; as you say, +our love will keep." + + * * * * * + +While Cacami and Itlza, secure in their own minds as to a final and +happy consummation of their dreams, were felicitous--though sad--in +each other's society, Hualcoyotl sat alone in his palace apartments +laying plans, which, if successfully carried out, would bring about +their separation, and the frustration of their cherished hopes. And +yet, he was ignorant of the fact that two lives were to be made +unspeakably wretched by the course he was planning to pursue. He loved +Itlza, but never stopped to think that she might love another; and, +possibly, did not consider such a contingency of sufficient importance +to require a serious thought; for was he not soon to be made a king, +whose will would be law, even in the choice of a wife? His affection +for his lost friend, and the sympathy he felt for the bereaved mother +and sister awakened in his already predisposed mind thoughts of an +immediate union with the latter, and he planned accordingly. + +It was the custom of the ruling princes of the Anahuac, when a queen +was to be chosen, to have the intended royal consort brought to the +palace of the prospective royal groom, to receive such instructions as +would fit her for the high position she would be called to fill. With +this end in view, the prince decided that Itlza, with her mother as a +chaperon, should be transferred to his palace at once. He was not yet a +king, and had no authority to issue a command. What he did at this time +was necessarily done by courtesy. When the power to command should be +placed in his hands he would be less persuasive; before, however, his +ends would have to be reached by the milder methods. The mother was +accordingly apprised of his wishes, and asked to give them her +immediate and favorable consideration. + +Teochma was not aware, as the reader knows, that matters had gone so +far with Itlza and Cacami as to reach an avowal of their attachment for +each other; although she felt they were more devoted than they should +be, since in her mother-heart had been fostered a hope that Itlza might +yet fill the exalted position of Queen of Tezcuco. Attributing the +prince's proposal to the right motive, she saw in it the possible +consummation of her aspirations, and would not have been human had she +not experienced a certain degree of elation at the prospect. She +acceded to the proposition, and looked forward to her temporary +establishment in the palace as but the entrance to her future exalted +position of mother to the queen. + +The ready acquiescence of Teochma to his wishes was very gratifying to +the prince, and preparations for receiving his intended at the palace +immediately followed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + + +After reaching the woods, and fixing himself as comfortably as he +could, the tzin tried to get some sleep, but could not succeed in +wooing to himself the coveted forgetfulness. The signs in his condition +were not at all favorable; he was feverish, and his wound quite +painful. Hualla showed much concern, and, when it grew light enough to +see, insisted on being permitted to redress his wound. The tzin was not +disposed to allow him to undertake it, fearing he would do him more +harm than good, but, growing rapidly more distressed and restless, +finally yielded, and the lad proceeded with the dressing. Euetzin was +agreeably surprised at the handy manner in which it was done. The +relief to him, which followed, was so marked, and the result so +soothing, that he quickly dropped off to sleep. When Hualla saw that he +slept, he laid himself on the ground near by, and was soon sleeping +soundly, from a head to foot weariness. + +The sun was well up toward the zenith when the lad awoke. He arose and +approached the sleeping tzin, who appeared to be suffering even while +slumbering. His breathing was heavy, and accompanied by a sound very +much like a moan. After looking at him searchingly for a moment, the +youth turned away with an anxious expression on his face, and went to +the border of the woods to ascertain if the Tepanec army was still on +the plain. Discovering that it was not, he returned to find Euetzin +just waking. On attempting to rise to a sitting posture, the tzin found +that he could not, and fell back with a groan. Seeing his failure to +get up, and the evident suffering the effort caused him, Hualla went +quickly to his side and said: + +"Let me help you, tzin." + +"No, Hualla, it is not for want of strength, but in consequence of +pain, that I can not rise. I fear your assistance will no longer avail, +since I am so sore and stiff." + +"I am willing to do anything to serve you, tzin Euet. Can't you advise +me?" questioned the lad, anxiously. + +The voice in which these words were spoken was so like something he had +heard before, that Euetzin looked sharply at the speaker. He could +discover nothing, however, in his appearance, which would justify the +thought inspired by the seemingly familiar sound, and allowed it to +pass as a possible similarity, or, perhaps, only a freak of the +imagination. + +"Will you learn if Maxtla's army is still on the plain, Hualla?" he +said. + +"It has gone, tzin Euet. I have only just come from looking." + +"Then, Hualla, you must go, at once, to Hualcoyotl for help. I will +remain where I am until you return. Please to hasten." + +The lad started immediately on his fruitless errand, from which he +returned soon after noon, with the discouraging intelligence that the +allies had also gone. Euetzin groaned under the weight of a helpless +discouragement at the announcement. + +"What am I to do, my lad, now that I am helpless?" he said, showing +much mental distress. + +Hualla tried to comfort him, and proposed to go still farther in search +of help. It was the only course left them, under the circumstances. +After eating some of the food which he had procured at the deserted +camp, the lad started off in the direction of the lake, hoping to find +someone there, a fisherman or boatman, who might be induced to come to +their assistance. He was most fortunate, and correspondingly elated, in +finding a party of boatmen who had just landed at the beach, with whom +he succeeded in making arrangements for the tzin's conveyance to a +small town, which was situated on the lake, a league or so away. + +Having succeeded so well, Hualla was now greatly encouraged at the +prospect of soon getting his charge to a place where he could have the +immediate attention of a doctor. One thought, however, gave him +considerable anxiety; it was of the suffering the wounded tzin would be +compelled to undergo while being transferred to the beach. The distance +was more than a mile, and the trip, he feared, would prove very +distressing to him, should it be necessary for the men to carry him on +their arms. This difficulty was quickly overcome by the boatmen, whose +native cleverness soon put them in possession of a roughly constructed +litter, on which he was borne to the beach with but little trouble, and +only a slight addition of discomfort. + +When Euetzin learned that Hualla had found assistance to relieve him +from his discouraging situation, he could hardly find words strong +enough to express his gratitude. His appreciation of the lad's services +was hourly growing more and more heartfelt, and he could not but marvel +at the exhibition of interest manifested by him for his comfort and +safety. It was, apparently, a phenomenal manifestation of disinterested +kindness. + +The tzin bore his distress bravely, and helped, by an occasional +cheerful expression, to relieve the transit of some of its +wearisomeness. + +When the beach was reached he was carefully borne to a boat, on which +he was placed, and in due time safely landed at the little Tezcucan +town, where suitable quarters were secured for him, and the attention +of a physician obtained, who soon had him feeling quite comfortable. + +So soon as it became known that a wounded Tezcucan cacique had escaped +from Maxtla's army, and found his way to the little town, everybody +became interested, and nothing was too good with which to provide him. + +Hualla received his due in praises for his brave conduct, as +represented by Euetzin. He, however, did not seem to relish it, +receiving it with a good deal of embarrassment. + +Proof of the lad's cleverness in the matter of wound dressing had been +furnished the tzin in two instances, and, by his request, he was +installed as his nurse. The youth was provided with an apartment of his +own, from which he was seldom seen except when at the bedside of the +tzin. + +In less than a day after his arrival at the town, Euetzin became quite +ill. The exhaustive efforts which he had made to get away from the camp +of the enemy, and the unavoidable aggravation and neglect of his wound, +were followed by very serious consequences. A fever set in, and, owing +to the dangerous character of his injury, a complication was brought on +which, but for the careful administrations of his two faithful nurses +and a vigorous constitution to aid them, might have terminated fatally. + +Who was the second nurse? we imagine the reader will wonder. We answer, +none other than the good old Itzalmo. + +The old preceptor, soon after his flight from Azcapozalco, came to this +town for better security; and, being too old to take part in the +struggle for liberty, had remained there in concealment, waiting the +result. Having no intercourse with the people of the town, he did not +learn of the wounded cacique's arrival until the following day. He had, +however, in the meantime learned of the great victory which had been +won by the allies, and the retreat of Maxtla's army. This emboldened +him, and he left his seclusion to rejoice with his brethren over the +good news. By doing so he quickly learned of the presence of the +wounded chief, and at once decided to make him a visit, thinking he +might, in some way, be of service to him. The old man was not informed +as to the tzin's identity, and made his visit from purely humane and +patriotic motives. On presenting himself at his apartments he was +greatly surprised at discovering in the supposed stranger his young +friend and pupil, tzin Euet; and as a serious turn in the tzin's +condition was just then evident, he became deeply concerned about him, +and immediately gave his whole attention to the case, proving himself +to be a most devoted and skillful attendant. When he fully realized the +dangerous condition of his young friend he insisted upon notifying the +prince regarding him, to which, for some reason, the tzin objected. + +"Wait a few days," said he, "when I will be well enough to go to +Tezcuco by boat." Thus were his friends kept in ignorance of his escape +and whereabouts. The few days were more than doubled before his consent +could be obtained, because of the unconscious condition into which he +suddenly passed, and in which he remained for several days. A messenger +was finally dispatched with particulars of his situation, the +communication being signed by Itzalmo, with the simple statement that +the writer was with him. + +Hualla was always at the bedside of the tzin when Itzalmo was not, and +appeared anxious and watchful for encouraging signs in the patient's +condition. When a change for the better was at last discovered, he was +wonderfully elated for a youngster like him, and especially one who had +so lately entered into the endangered life. + +One day, while the tzin slept, the youthful nurse leaned over the bed +to listen to his breathing; possibly to learn if any change had taken +place in the condition of it. Suddenly, as if from an irresistible +impulse, he pressed a kiss upon the sick man's brow. As he did so the +word "Mitla" might have been distinctly heard coming from the sleeper's +lips. Hualla drew back quickly, and could his face have been seen in +that moment, the observer would have been astonished at the singularly +happy expression upon it. The word uttered carried with it a +revelation. + +As the days went by, Hualla became more devoted to the afflicted tzin, +and actions expressive of ardent attachment were of frequent occurrence +on his part. + +The patient was rapidly recovering; the nurses, however, had not +relinquished their posts of duty, but continued careful of his every +want. It was in Hualla's watch that we find him quietly dozing, or +apparently so, while the young nurse sat in his accustomed place near +the bed. Presently the latter rose from his seat and approached the +bedside, and, as he frequently did, leaned over the sleeper and gazed +intently into his face. As he was thus occupied Euetzin suddenly opened +his eyes to encounter an earnest, loving expression, which the watcher +was unconsciously revealing. Only a pair of undisguised eyes were seen +by the tzin, in which he beheld, not Hualla, but one with whom he had +at last come to realize he was in love, and, quick as the thought which +impelled him, he caught the watcher's form, and drew it to him, while +he exclaimed: + +"Mitla, my own true love! How is it that you are here?" and, when he +had said this, imprinted a fervent kiss upon Hualla's lips. + +"The assurance that you love me brings a great joy to my heart. I am +repaid for all that I have endured for love's sake. But, Euetzin, you +must not forget that you are ill. Excitement might do you harm," +returned the young nurse in surprising language. + +"Such excitement will make me well," replied the tzin. "But, Mitla, you +have not told me how you came to be here," still holding the form in +his close embrace. + +"Have you forgotten Hualla?" + +"No, no! I have not forgotten Hualla, nor will I ever; but, my dear +girl, what has he to do with your presence here?" + +"Hualla has everything to do with my presence here; for Hualla and +Mitla are one and the same, Euetzin," was the answer which fell with +surprising effect upon the tzin's ears. In astonishment he let go his +hold of the yielding form, and held it off at arms' length. There was +no mistake; what he had just heard was, indeed, true; for it was +certainly Hualla who stood, smiling and happy, before him. He looked at +the metamorphosed Mitla for a moment, and then, as if suddenly +realizing the wonderful depth of devotion she had shown for him, he +said in a voice exhibiting profound emotion: + +"Never love more ardent and powerful moved the heart of woman than that +which has inspired you to do what you have done! The devotion of +Hualla, and the familiar tone of his voice, which has often startled +me, are now explained. From the horrors of an awful death the hand of +Hualla--your hand, O best beloved of my heart--hath rescued me. What do +I not owe you?" He paused, and, drawing Mitla to him, kissed her +fondly. + +"Let this be my pledge of troth," he said impressively; "my pledge that +she who has risked and done so much for me shall be my wife." + +Mitla's devotion to the man she loved so wildly, and the brave heart +which had struggled through so great dangers and fatigue for his sake, +were rewarded at last, and she made unspeakably happy. Her joy was so +great that she could have rested indefinitely in his embrace, but +Itzalmo must not know that Hualla was other than he seemed. She +disengaged herself from Euetzin's arms, and when the old man came he +found his fellow attendant in his accustomed place, and the patient +looking unusually bright and cheerful. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + + +The object of the coalition against Maxtla having been achieved, and +Tezcuco once more in position to defend herself, the league was +dissolved. The foreign armies quietly withdrew from the city, and +returned to their respective capitals--the hunter-guard having early +gone back to their mountain homes. + +The parting between the old warrior chieftain, Ix, and his friend +Tezcot, was expressive of a deep and lasting regard. The latter +promised, at leaving--to please his hermit friend--that, providing his +affairs at home would admit of it, he would return to witness the +prince's coronation, which event was then paramount to everything else +in the minds of the disenthralled and happy people, who were bent on +making it a memorable occasion--a day on which not only the crowning of +their new king should take place, but a grand celebration, also, in +honor of Tezcuco's independence and their liberation from an enforced +vassalage. + +It was customary, when an event not down on their calendar was to be +observed, to select one of their festal days on which to celebrate it, +of which they had a great number, every deity having one especially set +apart for its service. One of the most prominent on their calendar was, +accordingly, chosen for the occasion--prominent because of the latitude +which would be afforded the priesthood, in it, to exercise its peculiar +functions, not omitting the revolting ceremony of human sacrifice, in +which its members seemed to delight. Not since the subversion of their +government had a festival so impressive in character been celebrated in +Tezcuco, and the priests, awake to the importance of an occasion which +would restore to them privileges so long withheld, were active in its +promotion, and a great number of victims--chiefly prisoners of +war--were selected for sacrifice. + +Hualcoyotl was greatly averse to the shocking scenes of blood and +agony, which always attended the sacrificial ceremony, but had no +power--not even as a king--to stop it, for the authority of the +priesthood in such matters was supreme. + +We have it from fairly reliable sources--mostly traditional, to be +sure, yet worthy of credence--that he made it an especial effort of his +long and prosperous reign to have the inhuman practice abolished, and +bring his people to worship according to the belief which he had early +conceived to be the correct one--which, in the light of his +surroundings, was truly remarkable. He believed in "One unseen Cause of +Causes"--"One all-powerful God"--a unity, to whom appeals should be +made direct. In this particular he showed a high order of intelligence, +for it is an established opinion, if not a fact, that the simplicity of +the idea of one God, who has no need of inferior representatives to +execute his will, is too vast for the conception of narrowed +understandings, and, as a consequence, resort to a multiplicity of +deities follows. + +The great Tezcucan was only partially successful in his efforts, +because of the vitiating influence of his Aztec neighbors, who exceeded +all the other races of Anahuac in barbaric practices, between whom and +his people there existed the closest political relations, almost from +the day of his coronation up to the time of the conquest. + +The prince's failure to establish his belief in "One Supreme +Intelligence" did not abate in the least his personal convictions on +the subject, but as the years went by he became more firmly fixed in +his faith, which, if not a Christian faith, was so near to it that the +difference could only be found in the fact that he was a barbarian, +having no knowledge of the Christ; and, yet, who shall say, when ways +and means for the acquiring of religious knowledge are considered, that +Hualcoyotl's religion was not as acceptable to "Him by whom we live" as +was that of the shepherd king? + + * * * * * + +Itlza and her mother were in due time transferred to the Tezcucan +palace, and no royal host was ever more considerate of the wants and +comforts of his guests than was he of their's. The mother was elated to +a degree which almost made her forget her affliction. In the transfer +the first step leading to high honors for her daughter was taken, a +sufficient cause for the excitement of a more enlightened intelligence +than her's. Itlza, on the other hand, between love for Cacami and +sorrow for her lost brother, took no account of the significance which +was to be attached to the transfer of her residence from Zelmonco to +Tezcuco, and entered upon the change with no suspicion of what it +portended. + +The prince, in making his proposal to Teochma that she and Itlza should +take up their residence in the palace, had put it as near in the form +of a command as he could without making it direct. He pressed it upon +her as an honor which should not be treated lightly, and being +ambitious of her child's advancement she readily complied. As an +obedient daughter, who really had no choice in the matter, Itlza +acquiesced, and, amid the bustle and confusion with which the city and +palace were filled, found the change from quiet Zelmonco very +agreeable. + +The prince took advantage of the first opportunity offered, after the +transfer was made, to have a talk with Teochma regarding Itlza, and his +intentions with reference to her. She gave him to understand that his +will was her pleasure, but did not deem it politic to make any show of +the satisfaction she experienced at having her divinations verified. He +directed that the matter should remain a secret between them for the +present, as he desired, before revealing to Itlza his purposes, to +establish himself in her favor. Thus the matter was left to rest, the +prince, the while, using every possible means at his command to gain +the affections of his intended queen. Itlza treated him most kindly, +accepting his attentions as a matter of course, which encouraged him to +persevere. + +While seated with Teochma in his family apartments one day, talking in +a confidential way, Hualcoyotl was informed by his personal attendant +that a strange messenger awaited his pleasure. + +"You will ascertain if his business is of a private nature, Oza, and +report to me at once," he said, and then turned to resume his +conversation with Teochma. + +Notwithstanding Oza was a free man, the prince having made good his +promise that he should have his freedom, he was still in the latter's +service. Their experience together on the mountains had given rise to a +warm, mutual attachment between the master and his servant, which +resulted in Oza's retention as a special and favored attendant. + +The faithful servitor withdrew, and in a few minutes returned, bearing +a written message, which he placed in the prince's hand. The latter, +after dismissing his man with the injunction to remain near by, +proceeded to peruse the writing. On glancing over it he suddenly turned +to Teochma, his face beaming with an expression of joyful surprise, and +exclaimed: + +"Rejoice, O mother of Euetzin, your son lives, and is among friends!" + +Teochma was dazed and speechless for a moment, from the sudden and +unexpected announcement. Recovering herself, she, in turn, exclaimed: + +"My son, my Euet alive, and among friends! O Prince, do not unsay +that!" + +"I shall not unsay it, Teochma; for it is Itzalmo who writes--Itzalmo, +Teochma, who is truth itself," returned he, with a glad emphasis. + +"Itzalmo, Prince; is he, too, alive and with my son?" + +"Yes, he is with the tzin, but does not explain. It is enough to know, +O Teochma, that they are not prisoners. Now, indeed, may we rejoice!" +returned the now joyful prince. + +The communication was the one sent by the old preceptor, to which +allusion was made in the last chapter. + +The good news quickly spread, and the cloud of sorrow which had hung +like a pall over the friends of the tzin and the old tutor was lifted, +and general rejoicing succeeded. + +Hualcoyotl immediately sent a summons to Cacami, who was at his home in +the country, to come to him at once. The young warrior came promptly, +in obedience to the summons, and was not less joyful than the prince at +the surprising intelligence. He was ordered to take a sufficient number +of men and go to the little town for the purpose of bringing the +wounded tzin and his aged companion to the city. The duty, under the +circumstances, was a most agreeable one to Cacami, who stood not upon +the order of his going, but set off at once to perform it. + +From a house of sorrow and mourning the palace was changed to one of +joy and gladness by the joyful news. Its halls and corridors rang with +the music of happy voices, impressing the royal household as the +inhabitant of the winter frozen north is impressed by the glad notes of +spring, heard in the songs of the returning forest minstrels, after a +long and dreary season of storm and cold--incomparable waking of +ecstatic emotions. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + + +In order that the reader may be made acquainted with the circumstances +in Mitla's case, which led to her appearance, so opportunely for +Euetzin, in the camp of Maxtla's defeated army, it will be necessary +for us to go back to the holding of the tournament at Tlacopan, and +notice, briefly, a few of the incidents connected with her movements. + +When Ix's mountain guard came to that city to join the army, they did +so as individuals, and were accompanied by a number of their people, +consisting mostly of women and men servants, who came, especially, to +witness the tourney. Mitla was of the party, coming at the request of +Euetzin to take part in the archers' contest, and whose skill, it will +be remembered, proved such an interesting feature of the occasion. + +The real object for which the tournament was gotten up had not become +known beyond the circle of close-mouthed projectors of the movement +against Maxtla, and Mitla, as one of the public, was therefore ignorant +of what was to follow. She was to have returned to her home at the +conclusion of the tourney, with her party, but when the excitement, +which ensued upon the heels of it because of the unavoidable publicity +of the movement, became absorbingly intense, and she learned the true +situation of affairs, she determined on pursuing a different course. +Her love for the tzin, which had so quickly become an irresistible, +absorbing passion, and which had given added fervency by the grandeur +of the scene in which he was a conspicuous figure, and she an object of +special attention and admiration--together with a longing desire to be +near him, which had suddenly taken possession of her--outweighed all +other considerations, and she resolved on following him to the field. +How to accomplish this, without her presence in the army becoming known +to him, was a matter of no little moment--especially to her, an +inexperienced mountain girl. However, love knows no barriers too great +to be surmounted, and hers was not an exception. She settled the +question by procuring the necessary apparel with which to change her +appearance to that of a boy, which she carried away with her when she +left the city--presumably to return to her home. + +The first night out, after leaving Tlacopan, the madly infatuated +maiden took advantage of circumstances to quietly slip from among her +people, with a view to carrying out her determination to follow the +tzin. Getting far enough away from the camp of her friends to feel +reasonably secure from discovery, she made the intended transformation, +at the same time deepening the color of her complexion by using a stain +procured from the bark of a tree. When the disguise was completed, and +her discarded clothing carefully concealed where it could be found, +should the opportunity ever come around for recovering it, she started +on her backward journey. + +Mitla was now completely lost in the character she had assumed. Her +closest friends would not have recognized her, so perfect was the +disguise. Instead of a beautiful young maiden, a stoutly-built, +well-appearing lad, with a very dark complexion, moved with hurried +step, and eyes peering almost expectantly into the darkness ahead of +him, in the direction of Tlacopan. + +The adoption of a name for herself, corresponding with her disguise, +before reaching her destination, now became a necessary expedient, and +Mitla's genius for that kind of invention was for the first time--and, +we might add, the last--brought into operation. After calling up all +the names within her recollection, and, inventing not a few, she +finally settled upon Hualla--very appropriate and well suited, and +under it found her way into the allied army. + +Fear of detection made the disguised maiden wary of getting into a too +close proximity to those who knew her best. This led her to avoid the +mountain guard and her Tezcucan friends, and to go in search of the +gallant young leader of the Tlacopan army, for whom she had conceived +quite a liking, from his genial and kindly disposition. After +considerable trouble and worry she found the gracious Macua, and, on +being admitted to his presence, told him that she wished to go with the +army, and could think of no position which she could fill except that +of messenger, in which capacity, she asked, would he kindly allow her +to serve him. She made an attractive appearing youth, and readily found +favor with the young chief, who immediately installed her a member of +his military household. To become an attachee of Macua's official +family was not to become a slave, by any means, and our mountain +heroine found frequent means for gratifying her peculiar longings. + +To be where she could occasionally have a look at the man she so wildly +loved, her idol, was the sole object of Mitla's self-imposed +masquerading. The tzin's division of Tezcucans was soon located by her, +and no move or change was made by it that she was not aware of. +Whenever her duty brought her near to where the young cacique--a title +the tzin had acquired by virtue of his position as a leader--was +stationed, she made it a point to have a good look at him, on several +of which occasions he saw her, but, thinking her only an inquisitive +lad, paid little attention to her actions. + +When the great battle occurred, Mitla stationed herself where every +move the tzin made could be watched by her unerring eye of love. When +Maxtla made his attack, she saw with bated breath the terrible struggle +which ensued, and when Euetzin, at the head of his Tezcucan legion, +rushed to the aid of the hard pressed allies, her heart stood still +from fear and dread. It was not long after this when it became a +difficult matter to distinguish friend from foe, and the tzin passed +from her sight to be seen not again until found by her in the enemy's +camp. His disappearance relieved the nervous strain the sight of his +exposure caused her to experience, yet deepened her anxiety for his +safety. The time seemed an age to her in which the opposing forces +struggled with each other for the mastery. Victory finally came, +however, to crown the efforts of those in whom she was interested, and +when it did come she was quickly mingling with the triumphant warriors +of the tzin's division, to learn if he were safe or not. When it was +discovered that he was missing, her feelings of grief and dread were +indescribable. She could be brave while Euetzin was near and safe; but, +if lost, what should she do? After learning to a certainty that her +beloved was surely a prisoner, as the failure to find his body on the +battle field had proven to the satisfaction of the leaders, she +resolved to follow the retreating army, and, if he were discovered, to +liberate him or die in the attempt. She put her resolution into +execution, with the happy result already known to the reader. + + * * * * * + +Euetzin experienced a good deal of solicitude for Mitla's people after +learning what had been her course. Their anxiety and distress at her +strange and mysterious disappearance, he thought, could not be other +than extreme, and he determined that they should be relieved at the +earliest possible moment. He communicated his feelings on the subject +to her, and found that she was not a little worried over the matter +herself, now that her identity was revealed. It was decided, in view of +the unpropitious circumstances, that she should go home so soon as +arrangements for a suitable escort could be made. It was at this +juncture of the situation that Cacami and his party came upon the +scene. + +The meeting between the two friends was very cordial, which evidenced +the warm feelings of friendship which had grown up between them. + +The particulars of the tzin's capture and escape, in which the +invaluable services rendered by Hualla in effecting the latter were +made a subject of special mention, were detailed to Cacami, who heard +the account, especially that portion of it relating to the lad's +conduct, with no little astonishment. His astonishment in this +connection, however, was not to be compared with that which followed +when he was let into the secret of Hualla's identity, and informed by +the tzin that it was his purpose to make the brave girl his wife. + +"I am lost in amazement," he exclaimed, "at the surprises which seem to +meet me at every turn! When will they cease?" + +"Not until you have found your affinity, Cacami; have made your +proposal, and surprised us with a denouement," replied the tzin +pleasantly, little dreaming that his friend had already found his +affinity in his own dear sister, and that a surprise would come out of +it, in comparison with which the surprise of Cacami at his declaration +would be as nothing--but we anticipate. + +Euetzin was not yet sufficiently recovered to bear moving, and as +Cacami would be obliged to wait or return to Tezcuco without him, the +latter, on learning of the tzin's desire that Mitla should return +quickly as might be to her people, proposed that he and his men should +be her escort. Euetzin thanked him for the suggestion, and accepted it +as a most opportune way out of a very peculiar dilemma. + +A transformation now took place, and Hualla ceased to be, except in the +recollections of the tzin, as an inseparable factor in a portion of his +experience which he could never forget, and which went to make up the +most eventful period of his life; while Mitla, happy in the +consciousness of a requited love--though realizing that her beauty was +somewhat marred by the unnatural darkness of her complexion--sat by the +bedside of her afflicted lover listening to the words of endearment +which he was speaking. + +"Hualla, the noble lad, to whom I owed so great a debt, is no more," he +was saying; "yet he will never be forgotten. He has left a legacy to +you, Mitla, in my gratitude for his brave conduct in my behalf. Thus +you will have a double portion: my gratitude to him, and my best love +for your dear self. Are you not happy, Mitla?" + +"Yes, Euetzin, more happy than I can tell," was her reply; still, her +actions did not warrant it. The thought that she must part from him at +this time pressed heavily upon her heart, and when she had spoken, she +dropped her head upon the hand which she was holding; as she did so, a +tear trickled down over her cheek and fell upon it. + +"Why, Mitla!" exclaimed the tzin, anxiously, "you are in tears! What +has disturbed you?" + +"They are tears of joy, Euetzin, mingled with sadness--sadness that I +am about to leave you, and you so ill. I would remain to nurse you back +to health, but you have advised, wisely, no doubt, that I should go; +and I feel restrained, against inclination, to do so, that my people +may no longer mourn for me as lost." + +"Yes, Mitla, it will be better so. I will soon be well--thanks to +you--and back in Tezcuco, where you shall early join me, to go away no +more; then our happiness will be complete. You must be brave; it were +not like Hualla to weep," spoke the tzin, persuasively. + +"I will weep no more, Euetzin; you shall see that she whom you love is +brave, even as Hualla," she replied, wiping away her tears. + +Euetzin realized that the time was close at hand when the escort would +come to take his loved Mitla from him, and drawing her to him, he said: + +"Your unbounded love, which saved and brought me where I am, is worth +more than all else in the world to me; and my life's best effort shall +be to make you happy. Go from me with this assurance, and think only of +the joy our reunion will bring." + +The lover's parting kiss was exchanged, and Mitla disengaged herself +from the tzin's embrace--none too soon either; for just then Cacami +entered to say that the palanquin awaited her occupancy. A few minutes +later she had taken her seat in the chair, and the little procession +moved away. + +Under Cacami's careful direction Mitla was transported in comfort and +safety back to her mountain home. Her arrival there was the return of a +loved one given up as lost. The meeting was very affecting, filled as +it was with a terrible struggle between love and joy, and a feeling of +injured confidence and resentment for the mastery in the hearts of the +aggrieved parents. Cacami, fearful that harsh treatment might be in +store for the offending daughter, pleaded her cause with earnestness +and eloquence: + +"Mitla, though blamable from a prudential standpoint, has proven +herself a heroine. Had not her hand, O Tezcot, the hand of your child, +brought succor and release to Euetzin, he would to-day, if alive, be in +the hands of Maxtla, awaiting the awful fate of a prisoner of war. It +was her great love that saved to us a noble friend. Such devotion is +worthy the reward it has won: Euetzin's plighted troth. They will wed, +and the daughter of the wise hunter, the friend of the great +Ixtlilchoatl, will become the happy wife of a noble, who will assuredly +be among the exalted of the king's household. Forget her imprudence, O +Tezcot, O Xochitl, and forgive. Euetzin asks it, and I plead for it." + +"Mitla is dear to the hearts of all her people, and we do not forget, +while blaming her, that she should have our sympathy, for she was +greatly affected by love for the tzin," replied the generous Tezcot. +"Yes, we will forget and forgive, for our love's sake, and the sake of +our friends. So say you to Euetzin." + +After a day of rejoicing and feasting with the family of the hunter, +Cacami and his party started on their return journey, the young warrior +leader happy and exultant from the success of his efforts as a +peacemaker. + +In due time the little party was back with the tzin, to find him +sufficiently recovered to allow of his transfer to Tezcuco. + +Happy, indeed, was the hour in which Euetzin and Itzalmo were set down +in the Tezcucan palace, and the little circle of friends, so ruthlessly +broken up by the Tepanec despot, was again complete. To emphasize his +pleasure, the prince ordered a grand reception and banquet to be given +in honor of the restoration of his friends. It was a glorious time of +rejoicing, hardly less affecting than were the scenes which followed +the prince's return to his joyful people a victorious leader. + +"Let joy be unconfined!" Hualcoyotl might have proclaimed in that hour +of a happy reunion; and yet, how deep was the mental affliction which, +all unknown to him, was then hanging over and threatening not only his +own peace of mind, but that of nearly all the chief participants in the +pleasurable event. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + + +We pass over the ceremonies which made Hualcoyotl a king, except to say +that the occasion was of an exceptional character, and one that could +take place only under conditions in which barbaric ideas of pomp and +splendor are brought into operation in the achievement of a climax at +once imposing and ostentatious. Many of the nobility from the +surrounding principalities were present to witness the grand pageant, +among whom was the Aztec monarch, one of the line from which sprang the +first and second Montezumas--possibly Itzcoatl, a son of the first. He +was there not only as a witness of the pageantry, but to congratulate +his young kinsman, the Prince of Tezcuco, on his accession to the +throne of his ancestors; and, also--we may further presume--to seek an +immediate alliance with him for the purpose of waging a war of +extermination against Maxtla, whose arbitrary and insolent conduct had +so wrought upon the feelings of the Mexican prince that he had +resolved, with the help of his neighbor, to destroy the power and +influence of the Tepanec dynasty forever, by its complete subversion. + +Hualcoyotl could not be assured of a continued and uninterrupted reign +so long as his powerful and mortal enemy was permitted to exercise his +despotic and aggressive disposition, and readily consented to join his +royal cousin, of Tenochtitlan, in a crusade against him. + +The first business of the new king, however, was the organization of +his governmental household--the selection of his chief officials who +should comprise his privy council. In filling the most exalted +positions, he remembered those who had been his personal friends when +friendship was at a premium with him. Itzalmo was made his chief +counselor, Ixtlilchoatl his chief war officer, and Euetzin his chief +officer of state. In the latter he invested unusual authority, placing +in his charge all matters of a tribal character. Cacami was not +forgotten, but, by his own expressed wish, assigned to an important +position in the army, near the person of Ixtlilchoatl. + +Tezcot and Menke, who were in attendance at the ceremony of +enthronement, were pressed to unite their destiny with Tezcuco, but, +preferring a life in the mountains to one of luxury at the capital of +their newly acquired friends, declined to do so. This the appreciative +prince regretted, for he was anxious to express his gratitude, in some +substantial manner, for the friendship they had shown him when he was +an outlawed wanderer--which he could do best by making them favored +retainers in his official retinue. + +Hualcoyotl was not too busy to think of carrying out his purpose of +making Itlza his queen, and now, that he was a king, sought, without +delay, an opportunity in which to communicate to her his intentions. + +The extensive conservatory, connected with the palace, of which +previous mention has been made, was a favorite retreat of Itzla's, +which the prince had discovered, and here he determined to find and +acquaint her with his designs. + +At a certain hour on each day, in the afternoon, it was her custom to +go into this pleasant and retired place alone. That she remained +unaccompanied while there may be doubted, however, since Cacami spent +much of his time at the palace. + +On an afternoon only a few days subsequent to the crowning of the +prince, Itlza entered the conservatory with light and eager step. Her +face was brightened by a joyous gleaming which beamed from her +beautiful laughing eyes, and there was upon it an expression of +expectancy, as if some pleasurable event was anticipated and near at +hand. She hummed, in monotone, a droll little theme of native music, as +she moved about the place on pleasure bent. + +Although the work of restoration had been commenced, and the erstwhile +beauty of the once enchanting resort had begun to reassert itself; +still, traces of neglect, which had been permitted to creep over and +mar a former perfection of arrangement, were present in the +conservatory to disenchant the esthetical beholder. Yet, to a person +who might have been suspected of only seeking a means whereby to gain +an end, as in Itlza's case, the imperfection was of little consequence. + +Presently, and without notice to the happy dreamer, she was brought +face to face with Hualcoyotl, who had come upon her unobserved. She +greeted him courteously, yet was slightly confused and uneasy, as if a +pleasant anticipation had suddenly been broken in on. + +"Will you be seated, Itlza?" said he, graciously, directing her to a +low bench a little distance away. "I have something of interest--at +least of interest to me, and which ought to be to yourself--to say to +you." + +What could the surprised and disquieted maiden do but comply? A request +from Hualcoyotl was to her a command, and she permitted herself to be +conducted to the bench. When she was seated, he continued: + +"Are you happy, Itlza, in this palace home of mine?" + +"Your home is very enjoyable, and will be beautiful and full of +pleasantness when you are through with its improvement. I would be very +unappreciative not to enjoy it to the extent of being happy," she +replied, wondering to what the question would lead. + +"Yes, my home will be beautiful; but, Itlza, it will be like the cage +of a bird, the one occupant of which is without a mate," he returned, +looking at her with an expression of fondness, which, when she raised +her eyes inquiringly to his, she did not fail to comprehend. She became +much disturbed, but thought she must say something, and spoke as +follows: + +"The King of Tezcuco need not be long without a mate; for there is many +a charming _cihuatl_ (woman) who would be pleased to come into his +palace home to reign as queen. He has only to command, and the most +beautiful princesses in all the Anahuac will be his to choose from." + +"Itlza, have you forgotten the hours, long ago, when a lad and little +lass played and romped over the hills of Zelmonco?" he questioned. "If +you have forgotten, I am sorry; for I have not. Blissfully ignorant +were we then," he went on, "of the sorrows and griefs of the future; +and happy in our innocent simplicity, thinking only of the joys and +pleasures of an artless childhood." + +"No, I have not forgotten. Those were, indeed, happy times," she +replied, a frightened look covering her face. + +"In those times, Itlza, I thought of you as my future mate, and now +that I am a man, with wisdom to choose, I would verify those boyish +dreams by making you my queen. You will fill that place in my heart, as +well as in my palace, as no other can, though she were the greatest +princess of Anahuac; for, Itlza, I love you." He paused an instant to +watch the effect of his declaration. "I would have you come to me," he +continued, "not by command, but by choice. Will you be my queen, +Itlza?" + +The graveness of the situation now dawned upon her mind with a terrible +force--Hualcoyotl had chosen her to be his queen. She was dumbfounded, +and consternation was depicted on her face. She did not dare to look +up. The prince, after waiting a moment for a reply, again spoke: + +"You are silent, Itlza; have you nothing to say for the honor I am +about to confer upon you?" + +Recovering herself sufficiently to speak, she said, in a scared tone of +voice: + +"Your proposal, O Hualcoyotl, has come upon me so suddenly that I am +confused; I was not expecting it. What says Teochma, my mother?" + +"That Itlza shall be Queen of Tezcuco," he replied, piquantly, being +disappointed and displeased with her reception of his proposal. + +"It is all so sudden, so startling, I am overwhelmed with confusion. +You will, I'm sure, O noblest of friends, give me time to think?" she +questioned, hoping to secure a respite, if only for a little time, that +she might become reconciled to the inevitable, if such a thing were +possible. + +"Yes, I will give you time, Itlza--a few days, but I may not be +disappointed, for I have set my heart upon making you Queen of +Tezcuco--my queen." + +Unobserved by the prince and Itlza, another person, a man, entered the +conservatory, hurriedly and expectantly, but, on coming near to where +they were, he heard the sound of someone talking, which caused him to +stop and listen. His position was screened from observation by foliage, +and, had he been so disposed, he might have remained an unseen listener +to what followed, but he did not. He recognized the prince's voice, +and, although he could not see her, he felt sure it was Itlza he was +speaking to. He caught the words, "for I have set my heart upon making +you Queen of Tezcuco--my queen," and they fell upon his ear like the +crack of a fearful doom. He waited to hear no more, but quickly turned +away and left the place as hurriedly as he had entered it. + +Itlza gathered herself together for a final plea, and said: + +"I would not seem unkind or unappreciative toward the dear friend of my +childhood, whom I esteem above all men, and look upon almost as one of +my own blood. You are like a brother to me, noble Hualcoyotl, but not +like a lover." + +"You will yet learn to love me, Itlza. You shall remain in my palace, +and I will teach you," he rejoined, persuasively. + +"Is there not someone else, O prince, more worthy and lovable than I, +who would be pleased to become your queen, whose love might be had for +the asking?" she pleaded, paying no attention to his persuasive tones. + +Hualcoyotl was inexorable. He had resolved on a purpose, and was not to +be dissuaded from pursuing it to the end. He said decidedly: + +"The King of Tezcuco may find others to love him, but not another to be +his queen. You, O Itlza, my first and only love, shall fill that place. +I am king--my word is law. I have said it. Be wise, O Itlza, in this +matter, and study to become the chief lady of the nation." As he +finished speaking he knelt on one knee, took her hand and pressed it to +his forehead--a mode of affectionate salutation, the kiss being +reserved for those who were endeared--after which action he turned +away, leaving her to the terrible realization of the hopelessness of +her love for Cacami, and the certainty of a compulsory marriage with +him, which death alone could prevent. + +She was now alone, in the saddest sense, with no eye to witness the +anguish of soul with which she was stricken, and to which she now gave +away. Throwing herself prostrate upon the ground she forgot all else +but her crushed hopes, and moaned in the agony of despair. She did not +realize the quick approach and presence of the one for the love of whom +she was now caused to suffer. He stood over her for a moment, +contemplating her agony, while on his face was unmistakable evidence of +great distress of mind. Though strong in his manhood, he could not +entirely restrain his feelings, and could not have been expected to +while his breast was being torn by a tempest of conflicting emotions. +He presently kneeled at her side, and called softly: + +"Itlza!" At the sound of her name on her loved one's lips she arose, +and, throwing herself into his arms, cried in accents of unutterable +woe: + +"Cacami! Cacami!" + + * * * * * + +The lovers had arranged for a meeting in the conservatory, and Itlza, +happy in the anticipation of an hour of sweet converse with her +beloved, had come to fulfill her tryst, and, as we have seen, was met +by the prince. Just when the latter, with mind wholly absorbed in the +object which had brought him to the conservatory, was becoming +impatient and imperative in his language at the unexpected evidence of +a disinclination on the part of the former to look with favor upon his +proposal to honor her above all other women, and she, too much +frightened to think of anything save the terrible fact that her +anticipations of a happy future with him she loved were about to be +shipwrecked--forever swept away--Cacami, unheard by them, came upon the +ground in the joyful expectation of soon meeting the object of his +love. On discovering that Hualcoyotl was there ahead of him, talking +with Itlza, and learning the significance of his presence from the few +words which reached him, he was overwhelmed with amazement at the +disclosure. He could not in honor remain to hear another word, so, +quickly turning on his heel, withdrew. + +The hopelessness of his suit with Itlza was at once apparent to the +astounded lover; a king stood between them, and, according to law--an +established fiat, especially favorable to rulers to protect them in +their family relations, particularly in the choice of a wife--death +would be the consequence should he marry her, or even persist in +meeting her clandestinely and be detected in it. + +It would have been different had he made Itlza his affianced previous +to her coming to the palace, even without the knowledge of the mother +and brother; and possibly afterward had he anticipated the prince; but +now his chance was gone; and, O, how he regretted the delay. No one, +save themselves, knew that they were lovers, so closely had they +guarded their secret; and since no pledge of troth had been exchanged, +they must bide the result. + +How could he give her up? The more he reflected on the matter, the +greater became his distress of mind. He did not for a moment think of +Itlza as a willing listener to the king's proposal to make her his +queen, and he resolved to return to the conservatory so soon as his +royal rival should depart from it, to condole with her, which he did, +only to find her in the throes of an utter hopelessness. Their +discovery of each other, so full of woebegoneness, has been noted. + +The despairing maiden clung to her lover, pleadingly, as if he might +have saved her from her impending fate. He held her to his breast in a +close embrace, and if endearing words and passionate kisses--the first +he had dared to bestow--could have effected a relief to her overwrought +feelings, they must have found it in his. + +"You must not be torn from me thus," he said, passionately, after she +had explained, between sobs and moans, how determined the prince was in +his purpose. "No, dear, sorrowing Laughing-eyes, death alone shall +separate us." + +"What, indeed, O Cacami, but death or submission is left for both of +us," moaned the hapless maiden. + +"You put it well and true, Itlza. I had not thought of death for you; I +was thinking only of myself; but, alas! the result will be the same for +both of us. I should not ask of you so great a sacrifice. No, my poor, +lorne love, I must give you up." + +"You shall not give me up, Cacami! Let it be mine to choose whether I +will wear a crown, or cleave to you at the risk of death. It will be no +fault of yours, then, if I should choose to die," she answered, +determinedly. + +"What can I say? If I alone were held responsible I could quickly +choose; but you, poor darling, must suffer too." + +"If you can suffer for the love of me, why not I for a like reason? Is +my love less powerful than yours, that I am a woman? Cacami, you shall +not choose to cast me off, even if it be to save my life. The choice, I +pray you, shall be mine." + +"Then, if you will, choose wisely, Laughing-eyes; remembering that a +crown and the love of a noble man are on one hand, while on the other +are only Cacami and death." + +"Yes, I will choose between you--the good king and Cacami--but it will +not be to trample on my love--my heart. No, not for a crown at the +hands of so good a man as Hualcoyotl," she answered, earnestly. +Continuing, she said: "I would not lead you to death, O Cacami, my +love; yet, I choose to go with you, even to that end." + +"Then be it so; we will stand or fall together," he returned, holding +her in a closer embrace. + +An idea at this instant occurred to Itlza, and, gathering a little +courage from it, she said: + +"Why may we not escape to another country, Cacami, or to the +mountains--anywhere, so we be not separated?" + +"Hualcoyotl would find us though we were hidden in the fastness of the +farthest mountain. No, Laughing-eyes, there is hope only in marriage, +and the kindness of the court which shall try us; otherwise it must be +separation or death," he replied, despondingly. + +"Then, let us wed. I will be your bride, though it be unto death," she +said, creeping closer to him. + +"If you so decide, thus it shall be, my brave Laughing-eyes. We will +wed, and, if need be, die together." + +"I vow to you, O Cacami, that naught but death shall part us, and, +since thus to you I give my pledge, I pray you bind it with the seal of +troth," she said, trustingly, putting up her carmine-tinted lips to +receive the kiss which was to seal the sacred compact. Their lips met, +and two souls were united unto death by one prolonged, loving embrace, +from which they drew calmness--the calmness which is found in the +strength of a plighted faith, made enduring by the kiss, which, to +them, was a seal, indissoluble except by death. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + + +An alliance between the Mexican and Tezcucan kings, for the purpose of +engaging in a crusade against the Tepanec monarch, was duly effected, +and the usual preliminaries--a declaration of war, etc.--were gone +through with, preparatory to the opening of hostilities. + +Maxtla had reconstructed his imperial army, and his faith in its +ability to cope with the combined armies of his adversaries led him to +meet the demands made upon him with reckless defiance. He reckoned on +having all the advantages of a defensive warfare on his side in which +his opponents would be compelled to meet him on ground of his own +choosing--a situation which would put him in a position of vantage not +to be contemned. + +Hualcoyotl, meanwhile, made many kindly advances with a view to +reconciling Itlza to their contemplated union. She received his +attentions with due respect, and at the same time tried to be affable, +but there was that in her conduct which was not natural--a lack of +spontaneity of manner, so marked in her former naive, unaffected +bearing. The prince saw that he was not succeeding to any appreciable +degree, and decided to let matters rest as they were, for the present, +hoping that time, and a proper consideration of the advantages held out +to her in a marriage with him, would work a favorable change in her +inexplicable attitude, thus avoiding a resort to compulsory measures. +Having decided on this course, he turned his attention wholly to state +affairs, and the necessary preparations for leading his army to the +field against his old enemy. + +Ixtlilchoatl was again placed where he could exercise his wonderful +genius as a leader of armies, by being put in command of the combined +forces of Mexico and Tezcuco, leaving the kings to lead their +respective warriors. The great aggregation, with the hermit chief at +its head, was soon on the move, and the fight began. The campaign was a +vigorous one, which, after a series of hard-fought battles, ended in +Maxtla being forced back behind the walls of his capital, where he was +encompassed and a close siege of the royal city entered upon. + +In his confidence of being able to repel the invaders of his imperial +domain the Tepanec monarch had neglected to provide against such an +emergency as a siege, and was, therefore, wholly unprepared for it. +Under such conditions it became, in due time, a question of surrender, +or marching out and giving the beleaguerants battle. The result was a +mass sally, and the ensuance of a desperate and bloody struggle, which +terminated in the complete rout and dispersion of the beleaguered army, +and Maxtla's undiscovered flight for personal safety. + +The proud city of Azcapozalco was totally destroyed, and those of its +inhabitants who were not killed, or did not get away, were doomed to a +life of slavery, or death by sacrifice, while the territory of the once +dominant empire was converted into a great slave mart--which, in after +years, became the central market for that nefarious traffic for the +whole of Anahuac. + +Maxtla was hunted down, captured and turned over to the mercies of the +Aztec king, who condemned him to death at the hands of the priests--a +victim of sacrifice to the Mexican gods. Thus perished the most cruel +and despotic of all the named princes of Anahuac, and was avenged one +who proved himself to be the peer of the noblest. + +In the destruction of the Tepanec domination was removed the only cause +of apprehension to the new king of Tezcuco. He returned to his capital +in the confidence of a perfect security, and engaged in his kingly +duties with a mind free from the fear of invasion or opposition, and +with the determination to make his reign a successful and brilliant +one, which he did, as history records; in fact, it excelled in wisdom +and grandeur that of any known prince of Anahuac, not excepting the +Montezumas. + +The king was again brought into daily intercourse with his household, a +member of which Itlza continued to be. She had kept her own counsel, so +far as her affairs with the prince and Cacami were concerned, leaving +her family in ignorance of what had transpired. There had come a +settled purpose in the expression of her face, which was careworn and +deeply thoughtful. + +Feeling secure in his rights as the king of Tezcuco, Hualcoyotl now +felt that his palace should have a queen, and he resolved to bring +matters between himself and Itlza to a crisis. So the first opportunity +which should offer itself was to be improved to inform her that the +marriage must take place at an early day. He had gone too far to recede +from his purpose of making her his wife. He was a man of firmness, and +would not be defeated in the accomplishment of designs so closely +affecting his honor. He was a king, and the wish of a king was law. + +It so happened that he met Itlza at the entrance to the conservatory, +and, deeming it a favorable opportunity to make known his wishes, he +requested her to accompany him within. He conducted her to the same +bench on which she was seated at their former meeting. + +Itlza divined the object he had in asking her to go with him to that +sadly memorable spot, and her soul was filled with apprehension as to +what would follow. When she was seated, Hualcoyotl, who continued to +occupy a standing posture before her, began by saying: + +"Itlza, you no doubt understand why I have brought you here. It is to +talk with you about our marriage. You asked me for time. I have granted +it to you to an extent which should satisfy you that I am desirous of +showing you the greatest consideration. I have chosen to exalt you by +making you my queen; in doing which I feel that I am conferring +honorable distinction upon a most worthy family, as well as gratifying +the fondest wish of my heart. I now ask that you will prepare to wed me +at an early day. Let us have done with pleadings and expostulations, +and look forward to our union with that happy anticipation which should +mark the period of an approaching coronation of a lovely queen." + +"You and yours, O King, have ever been friends of my people. From time +immemorial my ancestors have served yours, and will doubtless continue +to do so, faithfully and loyally. May I not ask, as the child of +Euzelmozin, O Hualcoyotl, and, still, as the sister of your loyal +servitor and friend, Euetzin, that you will deal kindly with us--me and +mine, in this hour of my distress? I am sorely troubled, yes, even unto +death." + +Her pleading look and words were strangely at variance with the subject +of marriage which the king had introduced, and he looked deeply +perplexed--dazed--in consequence. + +"Those are strange words, Itlza, very strange, indeed, coming from you, +whom it is proposed to raise to the highest place a woman can fill in +our country. What is the matter? It can not be that I am so repulsive, +so repellant. Speak, Itlza, tell me; is this so?" + +"O, no! no! You are the peer of the greatest and best, and worthy to +wed whom you will; but, Hualcoyotl, I can not be your queen. I throw +myself at your feet, and upon your compassion, imploring that you will +send me away--forget me." She had dropped upon her knees in front of +him, and was looking beseechingly up into his face. He gazed at her in +confused amazement, and presently said: + +"What have I done, O Itlza, to merit this remarkable rejection of my +proposal?" + +"You have done nothing, O best of friends. It is all my own doing; I +have put an impassable barrier between us," she answered, dropping her +head as if to hide her face from an expected blow. + +"A barrier between us! What do you mean? Speak, I beseech you, and end +this unparalleled and humiliating scene," spoke the patience-tried +prince. + +With head bowed down, the kneeling maiden answered in a shrinking +voice: + +"I mean, O king, that I am the wife of another." + +Now, indeed, was Hualcoyotl dumbfounded. Had the earth opened at his +feet he could not have been more astounded. He finally said, becoming +angry and excited: + +"Who has dared to come between the king and his chosen--his intended +queen?" + +Itlza was almost prostrated from the strain upon her feelings; and now, +at hearing the prince's angry tones, began to sink, but managed, in a +hoarse whisper, to say "Cacami," and then fell to the ground +insensible. + +Hualcoyotl was staggered as by a blow when he heard the name of Cacami +fall from Itlza's lips. That estimable young warrior, counted among his +closest friends, had deceived him. He turned away for a moment to +strive with his rising anger and feelings of resentment; then back to +where Itlza was lying. He looked at her in a commiserating manner, and +exclaimed in a hard, pained voice: + +"Itlza! Itlza! this from you, whom Hualcoyotl would have delighted to +honor, and been so proud!" Her appearance seemed to stir the nobler +impulses within the man, for he knelt down and began trying to bring +about her resuscitation. While thus engaged he was suddenly made aware +of the presence of Itzalmo, who, in passing through the conservatory, +had discovered him striving with the unconscious maiden, and, becoming +alarmed, cried out: + +"Father of Light! what is the meaning of this? Is the child dead?" + +"She is not dead, but 'twere better if she was," returned the prince, +without pausing in his efforts to restore her to consciousness. + +"Your words, O King, are very strange. Why do you speak thus?" + +"I can not explain to you now, Itzalmo. You will retire, and at the +instance of the king have Cacami arrested immediately. Go at once, and +seek not to know more at present," returned he, showing great but +restrained excitement. + +Itzalmo left the conservatory in a state of wonderment at what he had +seen and heard, and went immediately to execute the command of the +king. + +Itlza gradually returned to consciousness, through the endeavors of the +prince, and, when sufficiently recovered to walk, was conducted in +silence to her mother, who was told that she had fainted. + +In a semiconscious condition she was taken charge of by her attendants, +while the king passed to his private apartments to compose, if +possible, his overwrought feelings. + +In obedience to the king's fiat, Itzalmo had Cacami arrested and placed +in confinement, to await the further action of his royal master. + +Cacami was not surprised at his apprehension. He felt quite certain +that a disclosure of his secret marriage would take place, should the +king persist in pressing his suit with Itlza, which he did not doubt he +would do, and which would be followed by his arrest and committal. He +had taken the fatal step, knowing the consequences which would in all +probability ensue, and now met them as became a man of courage, which +he had on more than one occasion proven himself to be. + +The king was distracted to the verge of madness at what he considered +his humiliation, and in the heat of passion could think of nothing but +punishment for the man who had brought it upon him. He therefore +permitted no delay to occur in entering his charge against Cacami. In +placing his charge, he put the case beyond his authority, and at the +absolute disposal of a Tezcucan court of justice. + +Hualcoyotl, in reestablishing the Tezcucan government, among other +things, we may presume, adopted the laws and means of enforcing them +which had prevailed at the close of his esteemed father's reign. + +Although the governments of Anahuac were to a certain extent despotic, +there was to be found much in them that was commendable; especially was +this true of Tezcuco. + +The enforcement of the laws was vested in a tribunal of justice, +composed of judges appointed by the king, an appeal from which might be +taken to a supreme magistrate, the highest authority in the government, +from whose decision there was no appeal, not even to the king himself, +though he had the power to make or unmake the court. We infer that, +under certain circumstances, these courts were combined, forming a +court whose findings were final. In the hands of such a tribunal rested +the fate of Cacami and Itlza, the latter depending on the result of the +former's arraignment. + +We are told that the court proceedings were conducted with the greatest +decorum. The judges wore a peculiar and appropriate dress, and were +attended by officers whose duty it was to preserve order, while others +summoned and brought the parties into court. + +The court records were portrayed in hieroglyphical paintings, from +which the decision of the judges was made. If the sentence proved to be +capital, it was indicated by a line traced with an arrow across the +portrait of the condemned, which was always a part of the record. + +When the lovers determined to stake their lives on their fidelity to +each other, they proceeded to settle the matter, at once and for all, +by uniting themselves in marriage, which they did just before the +armies of Mexico and Tezcuco marched against Maxtla, in which campaign +Cacami bore a brave and honorable part. The ceremony of marriage was +performed by a priest, in the prescribed form, and no earthly power +could nullify its force, except a due process of law, and then only on +just grounds for divorce, so strict was the law of marriage among these +semicivilized people. + +When Euetzin and his mother learned the true situation of affairs, the +latter was horrified at the terrible dilemma into which her child had +been brought, and was entirely overcome and prostrated from the effects +of it. Euetzin was greatly troubled, dividing his sympathy between his +friends. Having so lately experienced the power of love in his own +case, with Mitla, he was deeply moved with compassion for his +much-loved sister, and also felt a deep, friendly interest for Cacami. +He was more hopeful of a favorable termination of the matter than +anyone else, if, as he suspected, there was reason in the mad step they +had taken. He resolved to enter the case, and, if in his power, clear +the good name of his beloved sister, and that of his friend, from all +opprobrium, and restore to them their freedom and their love. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + + +The case of Hualcoyotl against Cacami was one of the first, of a +special character, which came up for trial under the new organization +of the courts. + +The sessions of the court which was to try the case were held in a hall +set apart for court purposes, called the hall of justice. + +The day set for the hearing was at hand, and the court had convened. +The judges, dressed in their court costumes, which gave them a solemn +and dignified appearance, were in their seats. The chief officer in +attendance had commanded silence, and a hush of expectancy had fallen +upon those present. The case was an interesting one in its character, +and prominent from the fact that the king was a party to it, and had +attracted quite a large audience to witness the proceedings, which were +opened by the presiding justice saying, very impressively: + +"The keeper of records will read the order of the court for the +delivery of one Cacami into its presence." + +The official indicated rose up and read, in a manner peculiarly his +own, yet native in the nasalized expression with which his delivery was +effected: + +"It is ordered," he began, scrutinizing with care the hieroglyphical +painting, which he held up before him, "that Cacami, a warrior, be +brought into the presence of this, the king's highest tribunal of +justice, that he may have opportunity to show why he should not suffer +the penalty of death for the violation of a sacred and duly established +law of the realm." + +The keeper of prisoners retired, and, after a few minutes' absence, +returned, accompanied by Cacami. The young warrior was looking pale, +but resolute. He walked with a firm step to his place in the court; and +being a man of superb physique, admirably proportioned, with a bright +eye and handsome face, his appearance elicited a murmur of voices, +which was evidently an expression of admiration. Directly followed +Itlza, in company with Euetzin. She was beautifully but plainly +dressed, and never looked more attractive. The audience was perfectly +quiet for a moment, while she was being seated, when its tongue again +became active and a subdued buzz arose from it. + +Itlza was given a seat near her husband, while the tzin occupied one +only a short distance off. When she sat down, her hand quickly found +its way into Cacami's, the clasp of which seemed to give her courage. + +The officer, whose duty it was to observe order, commanded silence, and +the chief justice proceeded to say: + +"The keeper of records will read the charge under which the prisoner at +the bar is held accused." + +Again the nasalated twang of the recorder's voice was heard to wring +out quite distinctly, as he read: + +"It is charged that Cacami, a warrior and subject of the realm, +contrary to, and in defiance of, a most sacred law of the same, did +hurt and injure the feelings, and spoil the affections of Hualcoyotl, +the king, by engaging and marrying with Itlza, a daughter of +Euzelmozin, who was the chosen of Hualcoyotl to be his queen; to which +charge Cacami shall give satisfactory answer, or stand convicted, and +shall, if it be so decided, suffer the penalty therefor, which is +death." + +"What has the prisoner, Cacami, to say in answer to the charge under +which he stands committed?" asked the judge of the accused. + +Cacami rose in his place, and calmly replied: + +"I will abide the decision of the court. Let the trial proceed." + + * * * * * + +We are informed by traditional history that the profession and practice +of law was not extant among the Anahuacans. No counsel was, therefore, +at hand to be employed in the defense of a prisoner or litigant. The +parties involved in the trial stated their own case, and won or lost, +according to the weight of the evidence furnished through their +witnesses. In criminal cases the procedure was necessarily different, +charges being preferred and published in open court, which the accused +was compelled to refute or stand convicted. + +The laws regulating testimony were most liberal. The accused was +entitled to give evidence, and, if he so desired, address the court in +his own behalf, and the force of what he said was not impaired by the +fact that he was on trial. + + * * * * * + +After a few preliminary matters were attended to, the judge again +addressed the accused: + +"Cacami, the prisoner, will rise and answer." + +Cacami stood up, and the judge continued: + +"How long have you been acquainted with Itlza, the daughter of +Euzelmozin?" + +"I met her first, and made her acquaintance, about the time of +Hualcoyotl's escape to the mountains." + +"When did the desire to possess the maiden first enter your heart?" +continued the judge. + +"My heart went out to Itlza the first time I saw her, and I resolved to +win her if I could." + +"Did Itlza encourage you in this?" + +"She certainly did." + +"In what manner?" + +"By teaching me to love her." + +"When did Itlza become your affianced?" + +"Only a few days before we were married." + +"And when were you married?" + +"Just before our army moved against Azcapozalco." + +"Was there no understanding between you previous to the time of your +betrothal that you were to wed?" + +"There was not, except in the fact that we were acknowledged lovers, +intending, in due time, to become affianced." + +"About what time did you become acknowledged lovers?" + +"A short time previous to the tourney at Tlacopan." + +"The love was mutual?" + +"I believe it was." + +"And you said nothing about it to anyone?" + +"I did not, and do not think she did." + +"You should have informed the mother and brother of your attachment, if +only in justice to them. Just here was your first mistake." Continuing, +the judge inquired: + +"Did you know at the time of your marriage that Itlza had been chosen +by Hualcoyotl to be his queen?" + +"I did." + +"Were you aware of the consequences of such a step, under the +circumstances?" + +"I was." + +"And took the step in the face of such knowledge?" questioned the judge +in a severe stress of voice. + +"Even so," answered Cacami, undaunted by the sternness of the judge; +"rather than see her whom I love the wife of another, though that other +was the king." + +This answer produced such a commotion and hum of voices that the +officer in attendance had to command order. + +"Thus did you err a second time, and grievously," said the judge, and +the court looked grave and foreboding. + +Cacami was now told to be seated. + +"Itlza will rise and answer," said the judge, addressing her +courteously. When she had risen he continued: + +"You are the wife of Cacami, the prisoner at the bar?" + +"I am proud to acknowledge myself the wife of Cacami," was her earnest +reply, accompanied by an affectionate glance at the object of her +adoration. + +"Did Cacami persuade you to do so unwise an act as to wed with him +under the grave circumstances which existed at the time of your +marriage?" + +"Cacami did not persuade me. My love was pledged to him, and I was the +first to say, let us wed, though it be unto death." + +This declaration from Itlza was received by the spectators with evident +admiration for her courage and fidelity; and, had it not been for the +great respect in which the court was held, would have been followed by +a demonstration of approval. The gravity of the judges, on the other +hand, deepened, for in her answer, so earnestly and honestly given, she +had convicted herself of voluntary complicity with Cacami in the +offense against the king. It was not necessary to question her further, +and she was told to be seated. + +The tzin looked perplexed and troubled, on account of the gravity of +the position in which his beloved sister's ingenuous reply had placed +her. + +"Euetzin will rise and answer," said the judge, at which the witness +was not a little surprised, as he was not expecting a call at the +moment. + +"When did you learn of the marriage of your sister with the prisoner?" + +"At the time of Cacami's arrest," he replied. + +"Had you no previous knowledge or intimation of the sentiments +entertained by the young people for each other?" + +"None whatever. I did not even suspect it, though, since the facts have +become known, I can see that I might have done so with reason." + +"You have been a close and intimate friend of Cacami's, tzin Euet. Will +you state to the court what you know of him personally?" + +The court, like the audience, had been favorably impressed with the +bearing and perfect candor of the young people, who were being tried +for their lives, and was evidently seeking palliating conditions +relevant to their case. The last quest of the judge could have been +made with no other intent. It was just the position in which the tzin +desired to be placed; for it gave him the ear of the court, and the +liberty to address it in behalf of his friend, without the fear of +interruption so long as he observed a due regard for its dignity. He +began by saying: + +"The court is very kind in conferring upon me the liberty to address +it--a privilege I very much desired, for which I am profoundly +thankful." Here the tzin made his obeisance to the court, and +continued: + +"I have known Cacami long enough, and well enough, to be able to speak +of him in no doubtful language. Cacami and myself labored side by side +for the freedom of Tezcuco, in times that tried the patriotism of her +sons. I know him to be a patriot and true friend, which I have proven, +not only once, but many times. He is a brave and valiant warrior, to +which our noble Hualcoyotl can bear abundant testimony. He is a true +man, in that he has staked his life in an issue which involves those +emotions and sentiments of the heart which honor a man above all +others--a pure, unsullied love for the woman of his choice. He stands +to-day, though a prisoner at the bar of justice, a man to whom Tezcuco +owes as much as to any one person within or without her borders. Had it +not been for the strong right arm of this valiant man, both as citizen +and warrior, Hualcoyotl would not be king to-day. You look at me in +amazement, and well you may, for the words I speak are the words of +truth and soberness; and when this court condemns to die the warrior +Cacami, for following the dictates of an attachment stronger than the +fear of death, it robs Tezcuco of one of her bravest and best; a man to +whom every Tezcucan should give honor and respect, which is his due; +for out of his hand came the life of Hualcoyotl, the king, whom all +delight to honor." The audience, at this point in the tzin's speech, +was like a mine prepared, ready to break out in a storm of approval, +from the effect of his impressive eloquence. His heart was in the +subject, and his face illumined by the earnestness of his effort to +place the character of his friend in the best possible light before the +judges. He continued: + +"The words of commendation which I am compelled to speak in behalf of +the warrior Cacami are not spoken out of sympathy for a friend who is +passing through an ordeal, but from a feeling of regard for his +personal worth. I admire a man who is brave and fearless in the +discharge of his duty, be that duty what it may. Such a man is found in +the prisoner at the bar--the man whom you are to liberate or condemn to +death. I do not negative the possibility that a feeling of friendship +for the accused may influence me to some extent in what I say; it could +hardly be otherwise; but, while this may be admitted, there underlies +it all an esteem and admiration for the man--as a man--which have +developed through daily intercourse and observation, and which would +obtain were we less friendly. My language has not been too strong, I +would impress upon you, but rather lacking in strength; for the words +have not yet been coined that will do justice to the worth of him whom +the law would condemn. Were the king to stand in my place at this +moment, I believe that he would, in the magnanimity of his noble +nature, be compelled to reecho the words I have spoken. If worth, in +those attributes which are esteemed above all others in a man's +character: honesty, fidelity, courage, and patriotism, may be counted +in the prisoner's favor, then I pray the court to give him the benefit +of its weight; for, if any man is entitled to it, that man is Cacami, +the defendant at the bar." + +It will be in order here to enlighten the reader relative to the +demeanor of the king during the time which elapsed after he entered the +charge against Cacami up to the day of his trial. + +When too late to recall his action, the sting of mortification and +chagrin having subsided sufficiently to permit him to reason, +Hualcoyotl became conscious of the fact that he had acted rashly and +unwisely. When he recalled the many instances wherein Cacami had stood +between him and death, especially when, a stranger to him, he had +undoubtedly saved him from the fate which finally overtook his enemy, +the Tepanec king, he was filled with remorse for the ungenerous course +he had taken. He had promised to remember his deliverer in the future, +and how had he done it? By committing him to the mercy of an exacting +tribunal of justice, from the decision of which there was no appeal. + +The day of trial found the repentant king wrought up to a degree of +mental excitement so great that he could not be composed for a minute. +He walked the floor of his apartments almost incessantly, and would see +no one. He was waiting impatiently for a summons to appear before the +court, but no summons came. It came to that point when he could endure +the suspense no longer, and he resolved to go to the hall uncalled, +where he would listen to the proceedings unobserved. He came to the +door of the court-room and paused, just in time to hear Itlza's last +answer, which condemned her, in the minds of the judges. When the tzin +rose to give in his testimony--which proved to be more in the nature of +a speech--he was all attention, and heard every word the speaker said, +apparently forgetting his distress of mind in the absorption of the +moment, while listening to his friend's eloquent plea. + +When Euetzin concluded his address to the court, and was seated, +Hualcoyotl entered the hall and walked straight to the spot on which +the former had stood, and paused. The court and spectators were +astonished alike at the singular conduct of the king. His majesty was +laboring under suppressed excitement and, for a moment, after facing +the court, appeared unable to speak. He, however, quickly recovered his +equanimity, and spoke as follows: + +"Well, and true, did my friend, the tzin, speak, when he said the king +would be compelled to reecho his words were he standing in his place. I +am here to confirm, in the presence of this great tribunal, the words +Euetzin has spoken. And, further, to admit that, while overwhelmed with +humiliation and chagrin at my defeat, I did err in causing the arrest +and committal of the warrior Cacami. Hualcoyotl would better kiss than +smite the hand that delivered him from his enemy. The defendant at the +bar once saved your king from a terrible death at the hands of Maxtla; +and, now, instead of remembering the brave act of his deliverer, as he +should, your king so far forgot his obligation as to consign him to a +fate hardly less severe than that from which he rescued him. The +disposition of the case is in the hands of this tribunal, from the +decision of which there is no appeal. If, in the end, Cacami is found +guilty, he must die, and with him Itlza, his wife, who is equally +liable. Since it was my hand that brought the accused to his present +position of a threatened destruction, most willingly would I step into +his place, if I might, and bear the penalty of his offense, but that +can not be; our laws recognize no substitutions, and the defendant must +suffer if found guilty of the charge. If there be extenuating +circumstances favorable to the warrior Cacami, your king prays the +court to employ them to his advantage. If, by any honorable means, a +suspension of action, or mitigation of sentence might be effected, +great will be the relief and satisfaction of your sovereign." + +The king took a seat near the accused, and at once assumed the relation +of an interested friend. Itlza saw him now as the noble and magnanimous +prince he had always seemed to her; Cacami felt the weight of his +impending doom grow lighter in the friendly attitude of the king, while +Euetzin only recognized in the action the generous, forgiving man he +knew his royal friend to be. + +The judges consulted together for a few minutes, when an adjournment of +the court followed. + +The court retired to another room for the purpose of holding a private +consultation, at which the king was invited to be present. After an +absence of quite a half hour it returned and the session was resumed. + +Cacami was in his place, with the faithful Itlza beside him. + +The presiding judge proceeded to address the prisoner and his friends. +After informing them that a decision had been reached by the court, he +continued, by saying: + +"The case we have been called to consider is an extraordinary one. The +accused is represented to be a man of sterling qualities, and worthy of +our highest regard. He is charged, however, with a grave offense +against his king. The evidence is not wanting to make a case against +him, but there have come to our notice, during the trial, conditions +which place the court in doubt as to the wisdom of a further +prosecution of the defendant. Since this is true, the court has +decided, at the instance of the king, who is the injured party, to +dismiss the case. The accused is, therefore, honorably discharged from +the custody of the court." + +Itlza, forgetting all save her great joy, in knowing that Cacami was +free, threw herself upon his breast and wept. + +Cacami was deeply affected, but he belonged to a race of men who +scorned to exhibit a weakness, under any circumstances, and was calm +while he held in his strong embrace the weeping Itlza. + +Hualcoyotl was the first to speak to them, and, in doing so, assured +his now successful rival that he experienced great pleasure in knowing +that he was free. + +Euetzin was quite rejoiced, and, with a happy smile upon his face, so +lately covered by a cloud of anxiety, conducted his now joyful sister +and her forever-famous young husband from the court-room, and into the +presence of Teochma, the mother, who received them with demonstrations +of joy and gladness, forgetting, in the happiness of the moment, her +disappointment at not becoming the mother of a queen. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + + +Immediately after the trial Cacami and Itlza accompanied Teochma to +Zelmonco villa, where the twain remained for a time in the enjoyment of +each other's society, made unspeakably felicitous by a love which had +been purified and intensified, in the crucible of affliction. The +reward of their fidelity was a rich one--the consciousness of having +been true to each other through an ordeal little less terrible than +death itself. + +The stay of the happy couple at the villa was suddenly brought to a +close by an edict from the king, conferring upon Cacami a title of +nobility, accompanied by a domain commensurate with the dignity it +entailed. He was ordered to appear before the proper authority, that he +might be inducted into the high and honorable station he was to fill, +and be put in possession of his estates, which included a beautiful +villa, provided with everything necessary to make it a home worthy of +one who was to be an associate of the king. + +The prescribed forms were complied with, which raised the young farmer +warrior to a position of distinction, and he and his faithful wife were +duly installed in their new home. + +Itlza, if not a queen, was the happy, loving consort of a noble, who in +after years became one of the great men of his nation. + +Euetzin was in due time wedded to Mitla, at the king's palace. + +Hualcoyotl, remembering the act which saved him from capture by the +Tepanec soldiers and brought him to a final refuge, expressed a wish to +the tzin that the marriage ceremony between Mitla and himself should be +celebrated in his presence. The latter, as a result of the request, +made a trip to the mountaineer's home--not, however, as on previous +occasions, in a pedestrial fashion, but as a dignitary, within a royal +palanquin borne by _tamanes_--for the purpose of consulting the wishes +of the hunters' chief and his family, with reference to the matter. The +prestige such a wedding would confer upon the favored ones was +sufficient inducement to cause a concurrence in the arrangement by the +hunter and his family, and the tzin returned to his royal patron the +bearer of the gratifying intelligence that he was to be chief sponsor +of the occasion. + +While elaborate preparations for the event were going on, Tezcot and +his family were brought to the palace of the king to become his guests +until after the nuptial ceremony. + +The eventful day came around, and Mitla, beautiful as she was happy, +became the wife of Euetzin, the man who was enshrined in her heart and +mind a veritable hero. + +No real princess was ever wedded amid scenes of greater splendor. The +munificence of the king was lavished upon her, and the occasion, with +prodigal liberality, which ended only when he bestowed upon the tzin +and herself a magnificent palace home near his own. + +The villa of Zelmonco reverted to Euetzin by entailment, and much of +the time of Mitla and himself was spent there in the society of his +mother, who continued to be its mistress and head. + +Ixtlilchoatl and Itzalmo lived to see their country raised far above +its pristine glory, and died in the fullness of years, honored for +their respective excellence and upright lives. + +Oza, though a freeman, was installed in the king's household as an +over-servant, with liberal provisions for his comfort. + +Kan, the weaver, whose cottage had given shelter to the prince at the +time of his escape from the palace, and whose words, addressed to the +Tepanec soldier, no doubt, in after years, proved a blessing to more +than one Tezcucan subject, was not forgotten, but remembered in a +substantial manner by the king. + +Thus did Hualcoyotl remember all his friends. + +One of the first acts performed by the prince on his accession to power +was to extend amnesty to all those who had cast in their lot with +Maxtla and his predecessor. It is written that he should have said: "A +monarch may punish, but revenge is unworthy of him." Being averse to +punishing, in this case, his alienated subjects were all restored to +citizenship. + +Soon after the restoration of the Tezcucan government a triple alliance +was formed between the states of Mexico, Tezcuco, and Tlacopan for +offensive and defensive purposes. In this alliance, which was never +abrogated by the parties themselves, was undoubtedly to be found the +incipiency of the great Aztec Empire, which ended with the downfall of +the last Montezuma, and the supremacy of the Spaniards. + +Hualcoyotl remained unmarried for many years, in consequence of his +disappointment in not securing Itlza for his queen. He finally, +however, determined to marry. + +In referring to this chapter in his life we are impelled, out of regard +for the many excellent qualities which history attributes to him, to +disregard that portion of it which is prejudicial--the manner in which +he secured his queen; a parallel case with that of David and Uriah, an +account of which can be found in Prescott's "Conquest of Mexico." + +As the years advanced, Oxie, the younger daughter of Tezcot and +Xochitl, developed into a very attractive woman. Much of her time was +spent at the home of Euetzin, and the king was often brought into +intercourse with her. + +The little episode of the bouquet of flowers at the hunter's home, when +the prince was in hiding there, was not forgotten; and, from it, there +grew a friendship, which finally ended in a declaration of preference, +if not of love, from Hualcoyotl, and Oxie became one of his favorite +wives. + +The king had a great fondness for country life, which was to be seen in +the many magnificent villas he possessed. These grand resorts were +furnished with everything the heart could wish, to beautify and make +them pleasant. His chief and favorite retreat was the villa of +Tezcotzinco, so named, we opine, in honor of the hunters' chief, who, +after the marriage of both his daughters, decided to become a subject +of Hualcoyotl's, and was rewarded for it by having the title of tzin +conferred upon him, and his being established at the king's most +attractive resort, where he lived to enjoy a good old age. + +The ruins of Tezcotzinco have long been designated as the "Baths of +Montezuma," which, there is reason for saying, is an erroneous +application, perpetuated through the ignorance of the natives. + +A description of the villa Tezcotzinco, as it existed in its ancient +beauty and grandeur, according to traditional history, will be +interesting in this connection, to give the reader some idea of the +splendor and elegance of the great Indian Prince, Hualcoyotl's, manner +of living. + +The villa was situated on a cone-shaped hill, about two leagues from +the city of Tezcuco. We here quote from the historian: "It was laid out +in terraces, or hanging gardens, having a flight of steps five hundred +and twenty in number, many of them hewn in the natural porphyry. In the +garden on the summit was a reservoir of water, fed by an aqueduct that +was carried over hill and valley for several miles on huge buttresses +of masonry. On a lower level there were three other reservoirs. From +these copious basins the water was distributed in numerous channels +through the gardens, or was made to tumble over the rocks in cascades. +In the depths below, marble porticoes and pavilions were erected, and +baths excavated in the solid rock, which have become noted as the +'Baths of Montezuma.' The visitor made the descent by steps cut in the +rock and polished so bright as to reflect like mirrors. Toward the base +of the hill, in the midst of cedar groves, rose the royal villa, with +its light arcades and airy halls." + +Such was Tezcotzinco, the chief country seat of Prince Nezahualcoyotl, +to which he often retired to throw off the cares of state, and +recuperate his jaded spirits in the society of his favorite wives, of +whom Oxie was one, and especially favored. Here he often entertained +his royal brothers of Mexico and Tlacopan, and other close friends, in +the pleasures of the chase through the grand forests that surrounded +the villa, or in the milder pleasures of its paradisaical bowers and +alluring shades. + +The prince did everything he could to promote and broaden the +intelligence of his people. Among other things, of an educational +character, which he established, was a tribunal before which, on stated +days, compositions of prose and poetry were recited by competitors for +valuable prizes. The compositions in prose were restricted to the +subjects of science and history; while the poems treated of moral and +traditional topics. + +The great benefit derived from this and similar institutions was seen +in the Tezcucan authors and orators, who stood far in advance of those +of any other nation of Anahuac. + +Prince Hualcoyotl himself was one of the most illustrious of their +writers, especially in compositions of a poetical nature. Such lines as +the following are attributed to him by historians: + + "If there are bounds to pleasure, the saddest life must also have + an end. + Then weave the chaplet of flowers, and sing thy songs in + praise of the all powerful God, for the glory of this world + soon fadeth away. + Rejoice in the green freshness of the spring, for the day will + soon come when thou shalt sigh for these joys in vain." + +And again: + + "The goods of this life, its glories and riches, are but lent to + us; + The substance is but an illusory shadow, and the things of today + shall change on the coming of the morrow. + Then gather the fairest flowers from the gardens, to bind round thy + brow, and seize the joys of the present ere they perish." + +In the poetic thoughts which these lines represent we have the +reflection of a mind endowed with beauty and simplicity--attributes of +greatness; and, though surrounded by the darkness of ignorance and +superstition, the man who possessed it lived to honor the high position +he was born to fill, that of A Prince of Anahuac. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Prince of Anahuac, by James A. Porter + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41698 *** |