A Prince of Anahuac: A Histori-traditional Story Antedating the Aztec Empire

by James A. Porter

  CHAPTER I.

  In a private and secluded apartment of his ancestral palace satHuaelc[=o]y[=o]tl,[1] the then reduced prince of Tezcuco, deeplyengrossed in the mysteries of some hieroglyphical manuscript lying on atable before him. While thus engaged, his personal servant, Oz[=a],appeared at the door of his apartment, and paused in an attitude ofwaiting. 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 yearsprior to the conquest of Mexico by Cortes, the Anahuac was justentering on its "Golden Era." It bloomed then, as it never has since,with an almost endless variety of tropical vegetation, and under theskillful hand of its inhabitants was made to appear like a vast parkor garden. Its cities were marvelous in the peculiarity of theirconstruction. On its lakes were beautiful floating gardens; emparkedvillas--charming landscapes within a landscape--dotted it over, andgroves of magnificent forest trees--the oak, cypress, and othertimbers, which raised their imposing heights toward heaven--stoodsentinel, 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 andmost prominent. Our narrative has to do with all these, but moreparticularly with the first named, who were the descendants of theAcolhuans, whose advent to the Anahuac took place near the close of thetwelfth century, and nearly simultaneously with that of the Mexicansand Chichimecs--the latter, possibly, the race from which sprang theTepanecs and others of the more savage tribes.

  The Acolhuans were a mild and peaceably disposed people, andintelligently superior. Their descendants, the Tezcucans, so calledfrom the name of their chief city, inherited their admirablecharacteristics, and sustained their superiority for intelligence.

  The laws which governed the Tezcucans, as a nation, were, comparativelyspeaking, just and equitable, having in them little of an oppressivenature, which can not be said of some of the other tribes. A few yearsprevious to the time at which our story opens they were a happy andprosperous people, and were ruled by a king who had a kind and generousdisposition, and who always held the welfare of his subjects of firstimportance, for which he was greatly beloved by them. Their seat ofgovernment was Tezcuco, a populous city at that time, situated on theeastern border of Lake Tezcuco, nearly northeast, across the lake, fromTenochtitlan--the Mexican capital.

  The city of Tezcuco, if not at that time the most royal capital on thelake, was perhaps the oldest and largest; and noted especially for itsintelligence and order. Besides its teachers and scholars it had itsartisans; the latter hardly less skilled than were those of the proudcity of Azcapozalco, a rival and the capital of its greatest enemy anddespoiler. Its buildings were substantial; its palace commodious; itstemples 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 declaringwar on the Tezcucans, and a bitterly contested struggle ensued, whichterminated in the overthrow of the government and subjugation of thepeople of the latter, and the massacre of their good king, togetherwith many of his nobles.

  Among those who escaped the death-dealing hand of the victors was theking's son, the young prince Hualcoyotl, heir to the Tezcucan crown. Hewas present at the bloody and disastrous ending of the strife; but,being concealed among the branches of a sheltering tree, from whichposition he witnessed the cruel murder of his father, he was notdiscovered by the foe. He was captured later, however, and thrown intoa dungeon in his own city, where, though closely guarded, he remainedonly a short time, his friends effecting his escape by the substitutionof another person, who willingly gave his life in his young master'sstead. He fled to the city of Tenochtitlan, where he found refuge withfriends. After a time he was permitted, through the influence of theMexican king, who was friendly toward his people, to return to Tezcucoand his ancestral palace, on condition that he would live a retired andsecluded life. He was there taken charge of and instructed by an oldtutor named Itzalmo, who had been his preceptor previous to theoverthrow of his country and death of his father.

  Hualcoyotl was about sixteen years old when he went into retirement. Hewas unusually bright, and gave promise, in his deportment and youthfulprecociousness, of reaching a splendid manhood. Eight years passed by,during which period he remained in undisturbed seclusion, acquiringknowledge and wisdom under the skillful training of the good Itzalmo,and finding, in his hours of leisure, divertisement in the society of afew chosen companions. He had not disappointed the expectations of hisfriends, but, at the age of twenty-four, had ripened into a man ofsurpassing physical and intellectual force--a worthy representative ofa noble line of princes. His adherents recognized in him their futureking--their hope of deliverance from Tepanec usurpation.

  About this time, 1426, the even tenor of the prince's life wasinterrupted by the sudden and unexpected death of the destroyer ofTezcucan independence--the old king, Tezozomoc, at Azcapozalco, theTepanec capital.

  The government of this nation, and its subjugated provinces, would nowdevolve upon Prince Maxtla, the deceased king's son, who was lookedupon as a very unscrupulous and dangerous man--more so, if possible,than was his father, whose rule had always been despotic andtyrannical, especially over his foreign vassals.

  But to return to the prince's apartment.

  The servant retired with his master's message, and Itzalmo came soonafter. Advancing before Hualcoyotl, the old vassal dropped on one kneein salutation.

  "Arise, Itzalmo," said the prince, kindly. "You have requested speechwith me. Hualcoyotl is pleased to grant any favor you may ask which ishis to bestow. Of what would you speak?"

  "Hualcoyotl, the prince, is very kind. If it please him, his servantwould 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 hisfather's hand--an event greatly to be deplored, surely; and well mightwe ask, O Prince, what will be the issue?"

  "An inauspicious succession, good friend, to say the least; and onefull of painful uncertainty," spoke the master; and, after a briefsilence, he suddenly said; "Itzalmo, thou hast excellent command of thyknowledge--thou art wise; I would know what is in thy mind. Whatdiscernest thou in the old king's death? How will it effect ourpeople'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 nogood, but evil only, will come to Tezcuco from Maxtla. He is anunscrupulous 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 notgrow lighter; the shackles which bind us are galling--they will not beloosed." The old man's voice grew sadly eloquent. Raising his eyes andlooking off as if in contemplation of his enthralled and unhappycountry, 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 beforeme in this perplexing hour, and I fear greatly that you have notoverdrawn. What would you advise? For eight years you have been like afather to Hualcoyotl--yes, for eight years your hand has pointed outthe 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 notbeen give
n me in which to consider. At best, we can only wait andwatch. A few days may enlighten us much in regard to Maxtla'sdisposition and purpose; especially with reference to yourself. Ourfriends at the king's palace will be sleeplessly vigilant; his everymovement 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. Ourhands are indeed helpless. But do not let us anticipate troubles--theycome fast enough. Have done with that, then, and look at this,"returned the prince, calling the old preceptor's attention to themanuscript 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, showinghis gratification and approval:

  "Hualcoyotl has done well. The pupil has become a master, and Itzalmo'slabors, as his instructor, are about at an end. The builder has notbuilded in vain, and his heart rejoices that it is so."

  "Hualcoyotl has been fortunate in the matter of an instructor, if innothing else. Itzalmo has been a faithful teacher, and his reward shallbe commensurate, the gods befriending us," replied the prince, ingrateful tones.

  "May the gods befriend you, good master, not for my sake, but for yourown and that of your oppressed people!" prayerfully responded the oldtutor.

  "Your words are overkind, Itzalmo, good friend; and they will beremembered with gratitude," returned the prince, feelingly.

  Having accomplished the object of his visit to the apartment ofHualcoyotl, Itzalmo saluted him and withdrew.

  When left to himself the prince became thoughtful for a time, when hewas 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 hispresence."

  [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 ahigh official in his court; and who shared, with many others, the fateof his royal master on the sanguinary field, where the best blood of anation was shed to satisfy the instinctive cruelty of a barbariantyrant.

  When the young prince Hualcoyotl went into retirement it was thoughtnecessary that he should have a companion, about his own age, who wouldbe to him an attendant and associate, whose duty it would be torelieve, by his presence, the monotony of his seclusion.

  From the close official relation of the fathers and the intimacy of thefamilies grew a warm and lasting friendship between the boys; and, as aresult, Hualcoyotl's choice of a companion fell upon tzin Euet.

  The young tzin was a student; and, under the direction of Itzalmo andthe favor of the prince, had spent the years in perfecting hiseducation.

  A genuine affection had gradually come between the young men, and theywere more like brothers than else.

  They were physically unlike; Euetzin being of medium height, yet of noinferior mould, with a light cast of complexion; while the prince wastall, 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, andalways saluted him profoundly when they met, which he did on enteringhis apartment.

  "Thanks, noble tzin, for your promptness in coming to my relief. I amwearied of my work, and would have exercise. Will you go with me to thecourt?" kindly spoke the prince.

  "With gladness, O Prince. You ought to know by now that your slightestwish is a law unto your friends, especially to myself, in whomobedience to you is the fullness of pleasure, born of affection,"answered Euetzin, his countenance beaming with an expression whichemphasized his words.

  "Euetzin, I believe you; for without affection a friendship so true asyours could not exist. But come; let us to the court."

  * * * * *

  The ancestral palace of the Tezcucan princes at this period was not tobe compared with what it was later, yet was, presumably, an expansivestructure, if not massive, built on three sides of a court, the courtterminating at the rear of it in a beautifully arranged garden.

  In the front, or main portion, of the palace were the audience hall andcouncil chamber; also various other apartments, among them thoseintended for the private use of the king and his numerous household;many of which, after the subversion of the government and death of theking, 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, communicatingwith the latter, saloons, or reception rooms. There were otherapartments connected with this wing for the accommodation of servants,the ordinary vassals of the king, of whom there were a very greatnumber in his time, but which were now reduced to the actualnecessities of the prince and his companions.

  In the other wing of the palace was an extensive conservatory, wherewere cultivated the choicest flowers and shrubs to be found in thevalley, of which there was no lack. The Anahuacans took great delightin floral displays, and no home was complete without its flowers.

  When the prince and his companion reached the court they found some oftheir attendants playing at ball. This was one of Hualcoyotl's favoritemeans of obtaining exercise and relief from the depressing effects ofhis enforced seclusion, and they immediately joined in the game.

  After indulging in the sport to their satisfaction the prince requestedEuetzin to withdraw with him to the rear of the court, where they founda pleasant retreat and protection from the sun's heat in an invitingarbor, which was especially arranged for their comfort and enjoyment inleisure 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, ifanything, add to the distress of our people. I have great regard forhis sagacity, yet withal, being deeply concerned personally, I wouldhave your opinion also, tzin Euet, and have brought you here to obtainit. You may be able to throw some light on the matter, and, by sodoing, change the present aspect of it. Maxtla is king; and, as we havereason to believe, a king without scruples, and not to be relied on.Were Tezcuco in position to demand the restoration of her rights as anation we would know how to proceed; but she is not, and we are leftwith only one alternative, that of submission. Thus unhappilyenvironed, our only recourse is to seek to mollify the king. How to dothis, 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 ofrulers, and through you the new king must be mollified, if such a thingbe possible. I fear very much that any overtures in that direction willbe met by a scornful rejection, especially with reference to your owncase," 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 ourpeople. His exceedingly bad record as a young man--a record full ofmeanness, largely made up of diabolism and cruelty, evidence of whichis not lacking, furnishes sufficient grounds for fear and apprehension.I will venture an assertion, O Prince, which may seem overstrong toyou, yet I feel confident I do not err in my conclusions. It does notrequire a prophet to foretell a thing when the conditions portend it.You, O Hualcoyotl, the rightful prince of Tezcuco, and Maxtla, theking, can not both continue to live under the same government. Mark mewell! 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 l
ooked at him in amazement, considering the enormity impliedin the prediction; yet, when he spoke, it was with perfect calmness.

  "You undoubtedly believe what you say, my dear tzin; yet I am slow tothink 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 otherfaults, and will brook no possible rival to his authority over Tezcuco.While Hualcoyotl, the beloved prince of an enslaved people, lives, andis, in a measure, at liberty, Maxtla will not rest in security.Believe, O noblest of friends, I beg you, that I would not undulyexcite you in this matter; but being deeply impressed with the thoughtthat your life is in jeopardy, I am impelled to raise my voice inwarning."

  After a moment's pause the prince said:

  "Tzin Euet, I must know to a certainty if your apprehensions of perilto myself are correct. Have you any plan to offer? You seem to havegiven 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, andoffer 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 befraught 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 wellgrounded. The character established by Prince Maxtla in the past, asyou say, is sufficient cause for apprehension. Your words have stirredme deeply, and I think I will act upon them; though, before doing so, Imust have time for thought. Say nothing to anyone of what is in yourmind respecting this matter, not even to Itzalmo; he would only opposemy going before the king," returned the prince; and continuing, hesaid: "I pray your judgment may be in error this once; though, lookingat it as you do, I fear the worst."

  The young men, feeling somewhat dejected, very soon left the arbor andreturned, each to his own apartment.