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

by James A. Porter

  CHAPTER IX.

  The close and intimate relation of tutor and pupil, which was sustainedbetween Itzalmo and Hualcoyotl for so long a period, gives thecharacter of the former a certain degree of prominence. We, therefore,at this point, return to the Tezcucan palace to follow for a brief timethe fortunes, or more fittingly the misfortunes, of the old servitor.

  By reason of the peculiar and unfortunate circumstances whichsurrounded him, the old preceptor was brought under the maliciousdispleasure of the king, and caused to suffer for his fidelity to hisyoung master. Before entering on an account of what befell him, a fewpreliminary references will be necessary.

  The king's officer, after reporting the failure of the expedition sentout to destroy Hualcoyotl, returned to Tezcuco and established himselfin 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 soonabandoned, and for a few days nothing occurred to cause commotion orinterrupt the quiet of the place. Thus matters stood, when one morninga soldier accidentally came upon the secret door through which theprince 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 reportedItzalmo as, in his opinion, having knowledge of the prince'swhereabouts. Maxtla instructed him to question the old man with a viewto gaining such information as would lead to the capture of thefugitive. If he refused to impart the desired information, the officerwas ordered to bring him before his majesty.

  Itzalmo was kept posted with reference to the prince's movements, andwas aware of his having gone to seek refuge in the mountains. He wassorely troubled because of the perils to which his _protege_ would beexposed, and he no longer at hand to advise and assist him. No thoughtof impending danger to himself had entered his mind. His concern forhis young master had caused him to entirely overlook such acontingency.

  It was about noon of the day following that on which Hualcoyotl leftthe weaver's cottage that the old Tezcucan received a summons to appearbefore the king's officer. He was at once aroused to a realization ofthe fact that peril might be threatening him. The impression that suchwas the case came with so much force that he hesitated for a moment, inindecision, as to what course he should pursue. It was only for amoment, for, on second thought, he decided to answer the summons, butdid so with the gravest apprehension. When he entered the officer'spresence, that individual said:

  "You are Itzalmo, Prince Hualcoyotl's instructor and adviser, are younot?"

  "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 sentinelover his person. It was you who effected his escape, thus placingyourself 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 suddendisappearance is at last in our possession. The hidden door throughwhich he quit the palace has been disclosed, and the concealedpassageway explored, leaving no doubt as to how he eluded us. As yourswas the directing hand, we advise you to secure immunity from thepenalty of your conduct by revealing to the king the prince's hidingplace. By doing so you will remain undisturbed in your presentquarters; otherwise, the orders are to take you before the king."

  "If such are your orders, your duty is plain; perform it. I am in yourpower," 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 theking'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 himto this room. Do not tarry, old man," said he, again addressingItzalmo. "There is no time to lose, for the day is already more thanhalf gone."

  Guarded by the soldier, Itzalmo went to his room, where he made ahurried preparation to go to Azcapozalco, before the king. When he wasready he was reconducted to the officer's presence, and after a shortdelay placed in charge of two men, who, with him between them, followedthe officer from the palace.

  The distance from Tezcuco to the Tepanec capital was not great, andyet, to a pedestrian, quite a journey. While to the soldiers it wasonly 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 leagueswere covered when darkness overtook them. The officer was not disposedto do any traveling after night came on, so on coming to a stationwhere persons going to and from the capital were wont to stop, he putup. This was a great relief to Itzalmo, for it divided the journey andgave him a full night's rest.

  They were on the road again at an early hour the next morning, andarrived at their destination late in the afternoon, after a hard day'stravel. On arriving at the palace grounds, the officer led the waythrough a spacious court into the building, going directly to theaudience hall, which was found closed, the king and his council havingretired.

  A messenger was dispatched to inform the king of the arrival fromTezcuco of the officer with Itzalmo.

  Maxtla was found in his private apartments, walking back and forthacross the floor in a disturbed and agitated state of mind. It mightwell have been said of him: "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."He was beginning to realize that his course would prove disastrous tohis authority should he fail in his designs upon the life of his rival.He was angered to the verge of desperation by the humiliation andchagrin he felt in consequence of the failure of all his attempts todestroy the prince. The good Itzalmo had, indeed, fallen undercalamitous circumstances, and could expect only the direst consequencesbecause of his loyalty to his royal pupil.

  The king's slaves were near at hand, listening for his slightestcommand, ready to execute it instantly.

  The messenger was announced, and, on coming into the presence of hismaster, prostrated himself before him, at the same time delivering themessage.

  "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 thethrone. A moment later his advisers filed in, and took their accustomedplaces about him. Itzalmo's official conductor now advanced before thethrone, and, making his obeisance, said:

  "The orders of the king, with reference to the old instructor of theTezcucan prince, have been obeyed. He has refused to impart to yourservant the information asked for, and has been brought here to appearbefore 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'spleasure with reference to the disposal of his charge he left him incare of the two soldiers. While awaiting the officer's return the tiredprisoner was permitted to sit down. The journey had left its impress ofweariness upon him, and even a moment off his feet was a welcomerelief.

  The old man entertained no hope of clemency, for it was not in hisnature to be else than loyal to his young master, which would bringupon him the infliction of a most terrible doom--a death of purposelyprotracted agony. Yet, as he sat there dumb and motionless, hepresented a perfect picture of stoicism. If a thought in anticipationof his impending fate disturbed his mind he did not show it. Such amind as his, however, could not possibly avoid dwelling upon thepossibilities of the hour; and it naturally followed that, under theexhibition of supreme indifference which he presented, there was anactive intelligence present, the run of which no move or sign
attested.

  The officer presently returned, and Itzalmo was told to arise andfollow. A few steps brought him to the throne, where he was presentedbefore the king and his council. He appeared haggard and worn, yet hisbearing was firm and dignified. He did not forget his duty as asubject, though an unwilling one, but saluted the king in the usualmanner.

  Maxtla bade him rise, and said:

  "We are told that you are Itzalmo, the person who has been tutor andcounselor to the prince of Tezcuco. Are we correctly informed?"

  "Itzalmo is before the king. He has been the preceptor and servant ofHualcoyotl, the prince," he answered, decorously.

  "We know what your relation to the prince has been, and think you haveserved him well," replied Maxtla, rather mildly for him. He had anobject, however, in dealing thus with his prisoner. "We also havereason to believe that his present place of concealment is known toyou," he continued. "Your presence here is by our order, and thecouncil's approval. We would obtain from you information which willlead to the royal fugitive's apprehension. Will you give it?" heconcluded, a little more firmly.

  "I am before your majesty because your officer failed to gain theinformation you want. Itzalmo is not a woman. Let that suffice for hisanswer," he replied fearlessly.

  "You will give us the information we want, or suffer the consequence ofyour obstinacy," returned the king, his anger rising. "Your hand, oldman, has been the one to defeat, in every instance, the efforts made todestroy the disturber of our peace. You have forfeited our clemency;yet if you will tell us where the prince may be found, your life shallbe spared; you shall go free, and have great riches beside. Will youspeak the words which shall give you life, liberty, and wealth, or willyou persist in being obstinate, and bring upon yourself theconsequences of your treasonable conduct?"

  "Maxtla is a mighty king; Itzalmo an old man, whose life is of littleaccount to anyone, least of all to himself. Was his life a thousandtimes more valuable than it is, it would yet be as many times too smalla price to purchase that which you ask. Itzalmo has lived true to hisprince, and will die as he has lived. Let Maxtla do his worst; I havespoken," 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? Havea care, or your age may not save you," said the tyrant, his facedarkening with suppressed passion. He paused and looked with an angryscowl upon the brave and silent man before him. "Hark you, Itzalmo," hecontinued, "and mark well what I say; if you give us not theinformation we have asked for, it is our decree that you shall starve;yes, rot, in the lowest and foulest dungeon at our disposal. For thelast time I ask, will you divulge the prince's hiding place?" Therising wrath of the tyrant was fearful to behold, and would have shakenthe firmness of a less courageous man than Itzalmo; but his answer wasin 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 turntraitor 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 thesun will never reach him. There let him die the death, if he will, inchby inch. Away with him ere in our wrath we strike him dead," fairlyroared 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 hallbelow; 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 ranfar back under the building. The old Tezcucan was hurried down thesestairs and along the hall to another stairway, which led still lowerdown to a subterranean passage. Here a light was obtained, and theparty descended. When the passageway was gained, a turn to the left wasmade, and directly another. They went quite a distance before changingtheir course again, when they entered a narrow avenue leading to theright, at the end of which were located a number of dungeon cells. Intoone of these Itzalmo was thrust, and informed that nothing but death ora compliance with the king's demands would deliver him from it.