A Prince of Anahuac: A Histori-traditional Story Antedating the Aztec Empire
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CHAPTER XIII.
Tenochtitlan, later the city of Mexico, was founded by the primitiveMexicans (Aztecs), early in the fourteenth century, about two hundredyears prior to the advent of the Spaniards on the Anahuac. The city wassituated, originally, on a group of small islands in the southwesternportion of lake Tezcuco, nearly one league from the shore, and was, formore than a century, a very frail and peculiarly constructed place. Itshouses were built chiefly of wood, reeds, and rushes, with theexception, perhaps, of the principal structures and _teacollis_(temples), which were, doubtless, of sun-dried blocks of clay. Many ofthe houses, for want of space, were built over the water, supported bydriven piles, upright posts, and were approachable in many instancesonly by canoe. A canoe was therefore an indispensable possession to aninhabitant of the island city.
The absence of stone in the construction of buildings in the firstcentury of the city's existence was, no doubt, attributable to the factthat it was reached by canoe, only, previous to the construction ofcauseways; after which followed a rapid transformation in itscomposition and appearance, until, at the time of the conquest, it hadbecome a wonderful city of stone palaces and temples, with grandsquares and broad avenues.
Notwithstanding Tenochtitlan, at the time of which we write, wasgreatly inferior in its construction to the other large cities of thevalley, it was a veritable beehive in the animation and density of itspopulation.
It was the capital of a fierce and aggressive people, who were not onlybrave, but cunning, in their aggression, which led to their completesupremacy under the last Montezuma.
The question as to why the Aztecs chose so inconvenient a location onwhich to build their capital will naturally present itself to the mindof the reader. We have only space to say the idea was of miraculousorigin, the result of a priestly superstition.[8]
[8] NOTE.--See Hale's Mexico.
There was a feeling of deep respect for the rights of nationsmaintained among the Anahuacans, and any violation of them engendered ageneral hostility toward the violator.
Sympathy hardly ever led a tribe to take sides between other tribes atwar. Only when the grievances were common did they unite their forces.
The Mexicans were decidedly friendly to the cause of the Tezcucans intheir war with the Tepanecs, and yet stood aloof and saw them humbledin the very dust. Their sympathies were still with them in theirdegradation.
In consequence of this friendly feeling, many Tezcucans were to befound in their capital and territory; some of whom had withdrawn fromTezcuco for the betterment of their condition; others because of theirhatred for the nation which had subverted their government andsubjected them to an onerous and hateful vassalage.
Old warriors, who preferred voluntary exile to servility; merchants andtraders, who thought to find a better field in which to ply theirvocations, and nobles, whose titles, since the death of their king andthe subversion of his government, were only nominal, were to be foundamong them--all living and waiting in the hope of a restoration oftheir kingdom.
The determined efforts of King Maxtla to destroy Prince Hualcoyotl hadnot improved the former's standing in the Mexican capital, but, on theother hand, had produced just the opposite effect. The Tezcucans wereoutspoken in their denunciation of him and his government, and nothingwas 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, whichwas one story in height--their buildings were very seldom higher. Thebuilding referred to was used principally as a store-house for unsoldmarketable products, and was divided up into suitable apartments--roomsand booths. In one of the rooms, fronting on the _tianguez_, was acafe, or restaurant, kept by a Tezcucan. A part of the room--the backportion--was cut off from the front by means of a curtain, for theconvenience of parties desiring to be served privately. There was adoor opening from this part of the room into a hallway, which extendedback the full length of the building. Some distance back, at the sideof this hallway, three or four steps were situated, which led downwardto a very short hall, from which an entrance was to be had to anapartment 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 thehallway, along which they went to the steps previously referred to.Here they paused a moment, in a listening attitude. Hearing nothing ofa disturbing character, they descended. A few steps brought them to adoor, before which they stopped and gave one rap. The followingresponse was elicited:
"What seek ye?"
"Our own," replied the same person who had addressed the keeper of thecafe. The door was opened, and they entered. Passing on to anotherdoor, 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 theseekers for admission.
"It is a royal offering. Enter." The door was opened, and the young menwere admitted. For a moment, while the door was again closed, theystood in black darkness; then a curtain was drawn to one side,discovering to them a low, dingy, dimly lighted chamber. Men, old andyoung, who had entered in the same guarded manner as they, were seatedabout the room. The newcomers were told to pass in, which they did, andwere seated like those who had preceded them.
Perfect silence prevailed while the chamber was filling up. Upon eachman's face was a stern and determined look. Not a sign of recognitionpassed between them. It was an assembly of people whose taciturnity wasalways pronounced under circumstances of an impressive character.
When the proper time arrived, a man of middle age and commandingpresence arose and addressed the meeting. He was evidently a prominentTezcucan. He said:
"The hour has come when the ear should be open to catch the sound, andthe tongue silent that it may not escape. Euetzin, son of the nobleEuzelmozin, is here. He bears a message from his brother Tezcucan."Turning to the foremost of the two young men with whom we entered, hecontinued: "Let Euetzin speak. The men of his tribe have ears, and theyare open."
Euetzin it was, sure enough, who now arose to address the assembly.Amid the profoundest silence, he began, using a metaphoricalexpression, speaking in a very impressive manner:
"The lion hath made his spring, but the prey he sought was the cunningfox. The fox escaped, and the lion is full of wrath." He paused amoment, and then continued, changing his manner of speech: "Men ofTezcucan blood--you who love and revere the memory of a noble thoughfallen king, and a country once proud and happy--give ear. I am here,"he went on, "to arouse you from the lethargy of a hopelessindifference, and to assure you, as I believe, that Tezcuco may yet befree. Though our prince is a fugitive, outlawed, with a price placedupon his life; the land which gave us birth trodden under the heel of ausurping tyrant, and our people made subject to a shameful vassalage;yet there still lives in the hearts of these people a patriotic love ofcountry, which, if stirred, will break asunder the shackles which bindthem, and bid defiance to the authors of their degradation." The tzinspoke with remarkable force, and was listened to with the profoundestattention. "Are we men, or are we only slaves," he vociferated, "thatwe shake not off the spell which binds us hand and foot, and holds thetongue till it speaks not? Awake, ye men of Tezcuco, awake! and letyour ears be open; for the voice of your prince cries from the mountainfastnesses for help. Shall it be a vain cry, or shall it find a quic
kresponse in the hearts of his people and a speedy resistance to hisdespotic 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 usraise high the standard he loved: the standard of our own Tezcuco, andpause not until her loyal sons everywhere are enrolled under it, andthe usurper has been driven by our patriotic legions beyond herborders.
"He who will join me in the glorious work of redeeming Tezcuco fromdishonor and a hated vassalage rise, and, with his hand over his heart,repeat after me the obligation which shall pledge us, arm and life, tothe cause of our country and prince."
Every man in the chamber quickly stood up and was heard to repeat, indeep 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 bloodrun red on the altar of Huitzil,[9] whose aid I now invoke!" A momentof 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 ofTezcuco, which many have looked upon as lost. We have each, by ourobligation, made ourselves the active moving element in its suddenresuscitation. What shall be the outcome? What shall be the end of thisaltogether splendid beginning? Be this our unqualified answer: Tezcucoshall be free!"
The assembly was thoroughly aroused, and during a moment's pause in thetzin's speech a spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm took place. "Tezcucoshall be free!" was the reiterated acclaim which resounded through thechamber. When quiet was restored the tzin went on:
"And now, since we are pledged, let us, every man, be up and doing. Letno loyal Tezcucan be overlooked. Move silently and quickly, ceasing notthe work until the fire of patriotism, which has been enkindled in ourhearts to-night, shall have spread to the farthest borders of Anahuac,and every true friend of Tezcuco has espoused her cause, and enrolledhimself under the banner of Hualcoyotl and liberty. Let not your earsbe closed, for the call will surely come which will claim thefulfillment of your obligation."
When the young conspirator concluded and had taken his seat, an oldwarrior rose up and said a few encouraging words. He spoke as follows:
"The spirit of loyalty and devotion evinced by our young leader, thetzin, for his unfortunate country and prince, does honor to Euzelmozin,his noble father, who was my friend. Age has left the Matzatl a weakand broken sword. His day of fighting is past; yet the Matzatl wouldlive to see his country rescued from the hand of the spoiler. Youngmen, 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 willlead you to victory. Our brother, whose words first greeted usto-night, spoke wisely when he said: 'The hour has come when the earshould be open to catch the sound, and the tongue silent that it maynot escape.' See to it that ye hear the sound and hold it."
Others, including Cacami, addressed the assembly briefly, urging afaithful adherence to the cause which they had sworn with their all todefend.
At a suggestion from Euetzin a permanent organization was formed, whichwas designated a council, and an experienced warrior chosen toofficiate as its chief. Thus was the object of the meeting attained;the first step toward the organization of an army accomplished, and thehearts of those present inspired with confidence in their cause, andzeal 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 tosee each one personally and instruct him in the passwords, that no manwho was not known to be true and loyal might gain admission.
The men quietly dispersed and the world outside was none the wiser thatan organization was begun, having for its end an object freighted withconsequences, the measure of which was not comprehended by theoriginators themselves.
The same proceeding was enacted in every city and town where Tezcucanswere found in sufficient numbers to make it possible. Not only wereEuetzin and Cacami engaged in it, but others who had entered the workwith heart and soul imbued with the spirit of resistance and a lifepledged to the accomplishment of their country's liberation. It was allbeing done with such quiet stealth that no move or sound gave evidenceof the rapidly spreading conspiracy.