CHAPTER II.
Lake Tezcuco, the principal one of several situated in the great valleyof Mexico, four and three quarter centuries ago, when the presentMexican capital (then Tenochtitlan) stood a league or more within itsborders, was quite an inland body of water, covering well on to fourhundred square miles of surface. Since that time this lake has shrunkento a remarkable degree, leaving the great valley city, and the sites ofothers now reduced to insignificance, miles away from it.
At the time to which our narrative refers nearly all the chief citiesof Anahuac were situated on its shores, among which was the Tepaneccapital, Azcapozalco, located near the northwest corner of the lake. Tothis city we now have occasion to turn briefly.
Azcapozalco was designated as the royal city, which, if it signifiedanything, meant that in the time of its ascendency it was the mostmagnificent seat of government on the lake, if not on the Anahuac. Itwas a city of walls we are told, and must have boasted of elegantstructures of stone and sun-dried brick, which suggests the idea oftowering temples, a grand palace and court, and extensive avenues,where swarmed an aggressive and busy population. Its artificers, it issaid, were superior in skill to those of any other city on the greatplateau, which meant much, when we consider that among these were to befound jewelers who could unify metals so perfectly as to representobjects, harmoniously variegated, by alternately intermixing of silverand gold.
Of their weavers we may speak equally well.
The ancient Mexicans were the first people to use the cochineal forpurposes of coloring, which, after the conquest, was introduced intoEurope by the Spaniards. Their weavers were enabled with it to make theproducts of the loom not only brilliant but beautiful.
The fineness of their fabrics varied in texture as well as in dye, themost finished being made of cotton, one of their principal products,with which was interwoven the finest animal hair, forming a web fit tobe worn by a king.
A royal city, we may well believe, was Azcapozalco, when Maxtla, thetyrant 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, holdingconference with them regarding the duties of their respectivepositions, and arranging other matters pertaining to his new andexalted station.
The king was a man of medium stature, with a well-rounded physique,swarthy complexion, and very course features. His eyes were small andblack, and lighted up with a gleam of cunning and ferocity, which gaveto his countenance a decidedly disagreeable expression, and one thatboded no good to those whom he might deem his enemies.
The costume he wore consisted of a loose-fitting tunic and leggingsmade to fit his limbs closely to below the calf; the whole wrought fromthe finest cotton fabrics and ornamented with trimmings of gold. Overhis shoulders was carelessly worn a rich mantle of featherwork. Hisfeet were incased in sandals made from the skin of some wild animal;while on his head rested a crown formed of precious metals, andornamented with gems and a _penache_ of richly colored feathers.
His chiefs were similarly dressed, excepting the crown, but in a lessgaudy manner.
A pause had fallen on the assembly, which was interrupted by theentrance of a herald, who announced Prince Hualcoyotl as desiringaudience with the king. The mention of the prince's name caused nolittle commotion among the king's attendants. A cloud of disapprovalcame over Maxtla's face, and the evil expression upon it wasintensified. After a moment's hesitation he directed that the prince beadmitted.
On entering the hall, Hualcoyotl advanced before the king and salutedhim in the accustomed manner: kneeling on one knee, placing his righthand on the ground and then to his forehead. While in this position helaid at the scowling Maxtla's feet an offering of flowers, which wasemblematic of his peaceful intentions. The king gave a momentary glanceat the prostrate prince, and then, with malice and hatred depicted onhis countenance, silently and haughtily turned his back upon him. Thisaction on the part of Maxtla was highly significant: it was intended asa humiliation to the prince, and signified that his offering wasrejected; 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 heleft the door he was accosted by one of the king's attendants, whobegged him to withdraw from the palace and city, and return to his ownas quickly as possible, for his life was in great danger. He was soonon the road to Tezcuco, where he arrived safely, but much perturbed inspirit and perplexed in mind.
He went immediately to his private apartment, and summoned Euetzin intohis presence. In a very short time the tzin appeared, and, aftersaluting him, said:
"I am here in answer to your summons, noble prince, and would know yourpleasure."
"Be at ease, good friend," returned Hualcoyotl, gravely, motioning thetzin to a seat. A brief silence followed, which was broken by theprince.
"Euetzin," he began, fixing his passion-lit eyes on his friend, "thewisdom and penetration of an older head than might be expected has beengiven 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. Anothershort pause intervened, and recovering himself he continued, adopting amanner of expression peculiar to his race.
"The lion is loosed, and the fire of anger is in his heart; the foxmust be wary, or his cunning may not save him. Do you interpret inthese 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 wentbefore the king, and in the presence of his assembled chiefs tenderedmy fealty and peace offering to his majesty with the accustomedformalities. My offerings were rejected, and I, the Prince of Tezcuco,was spurned by him in the most humiliating manner, and compelled like acoward to slink from his presence under the infliction of theindignity, without the power to resent it. Euetzin, something must bedone, 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 nowappears."
Euetzin felt that a reply was expected and said:
"Hualcoyotl, the son of our lamented king, can rely upon his friends inany emergency. They are devoted to their country and prince, and onlyawait an opportunity to avenge the wrongs which have been laid uponthem."
"Your words, tzin Euet, are encouraging, for they strengthen animpression which I have hopefully entertained: that our people arestill imbued with patriotism and love for their country, and may be ledby incitement to do battle for its redemption. If our hope is not avain one, which can only be ascertained by investigation, someone whosesoul is in our cause must go abroad to inspire, arouse and prepare themfor revolt. By my peculiar position I am unfortunately placed. I cannot go to those with whom I would counsel, neither can they come to me;for my every movement will henceforth be under strict and secretsurveillance. On you, therefore, my trusted friend, must fall the workwhich I would, but can not, do--the work of stimulating our people toaction and organizing them into an army of resistance to the Tepanecdespot, Maxtla. I need not inquire if you will do it; Euetzin is theson of Euzelmozin--that alone bespeaks his compliance."
"My life, O Prince, is at your disposal. You have but to command and Iwill obey."
"Spoken like the true Tezcucan that you are, noble Euet. ThatHualcoyotl has not many more such loyal friends in his misfortune!"
"The hour of need may discover to Hualcoyotl an army of friends notless worthy of trust than Euet," replied the tzin modestly.
"Friends worthy and true, possibly--never but one Euet," returned theprince, with a look which voiced the affectionate esteem in which heheld his companion.
The tzin was consider
ably affected by the prince's fervent manner andlanguage, and appeared confused for want of a suitable reply, which thelatter observed, and, quickly continuing, reverted to the main questionunder 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 theconsequence."
"I am aware of that, O Prince, yet I beg you will have no fears for mysafety. I will choose my own companions, and, be assured, they will notbe 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 ourpeople, and, if possible, the number of our adherents available forsoldiers; also, if so desirable an end may be attained, secure thecooperation of other states which are friendly to us. Work with thewisdom and judgment of which I know you to be possessed, and accordingto the success of your labors shall be your reward. May our nationrise, under your hand, from the ashes of her former greatness, is ourmost earnest prayer. Go as soon as you can arrange to do so, and maythe gods of our fathers be with you and keep you. You will see yourexcellent mother and sister; bear to them, I pray you, my profoundrespect, and say that I would come to them could I do so with safety."
Euetzin at leaving would have saluted the prince in the accustomedmanner, but was stopped by him, and, instead, was received upon hisbreast in a strong embrace, which signified that he was, for the timeat 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 wasfull and complete, as we have seen, and the sequel proved that it waswisely placed.
When the tzin had withdrawn from the prince's apartment the latter fellinto deep meditation, as was his wont in the recent past. His thoughtsat 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 hasbeen like a father to me, and should share fully in my confidence. Hiswisdom and sagacity may yet be of invaluable service to me, as theyhave been in the past."
He arose and straightway sought the old servitor in his privateapartment, where he found him poring over his hieroglyphics.Salutations were exchanged, and the prince proceeded to relate theparticulars of his visit to the palace of Maxtla; also to express hisfears as to the consequences liable to ensue, and his determination tomeet them by a speedy preparation for resistance.
Itzalmo was not pleased that the prince had gone before the kingunknown 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 morethan 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 whoquickly notified him when anything of importance occurred in hismajesty's household or court. In this manner he was kept informed andalways forewarned.
Acquainted, as the old Tezcucan was, with the treacherous dispositionof the Tepanecs, and Maxtla in particular, he felt that the strictestwatchfulness would be necessary to avoid surprise. He had saved theprince from the wrath of the old king, and hoped he might be able tosave him again, should the emergency arise. He therefore begged him tobe discreet and trust to him.
"You are young, O Prince, and with little experience to guide you," hesaid. "I pray you, be not incautious, but let your actions be governedby wisdom and understanding. Do not forget, O Hualcoyotl, that thedestiny of a people rests with you. Listen to him who has counseled andshown you the way in the past. Itzalmo is your proven friend; he willdo for you what no other can."
The old man's earnestness was remarkable, and the prince felt it. Hesaid:
"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, thatyour counsel shall not be ignored. I will be guarded in what I do. Youhave my promise."
As he concluded, the prince passed from the apartment of the loyal oldvassal, the latter sending after him a prayerful benediction.
A Prince of Anahuac: A Histori-traditional Story Antedating the Aztec Empire Page 4
