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diff --git a/41698-8.txt b/41698-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c459a6c..0000000 --- a/41698-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11829 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Prince of Anahuac, by James A. Porter - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: A Prince of Anahuac - A Histori-traditional Story Antedating the Aztec Empire - -Author: James A. Porter - -Release Date: December 24, 2012 [EBook #41698] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A PRINCE OF ANAHUAC *** - - - - -Produced by Peter Vachuska, Chuck Greif, additional -illustrations from The Internet Archive (TIA) and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -[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. 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