CHAPTER XIX.
It was in the afternoon of a day a week or ten days subsequent to thetime when Hualcoyotl became separated from Menke and Oza, in eludingthe Tepanec soldiers on the plateau, that Mitla, the daughter ofTezcot, had gone around the mountains for an hour's pastime with herbow and arrow; and, having grown weary of the diversion, was returninghome. She had just passed a sharp extension at the foot of the mountainand was sauntering leisurely along the border of a patch of ripenedchia-plant, which her father's servants had gathered into piles andleft lying on the ground, when her attention was attracted by a distantyelling, heard from the plateau behind her. She stopped, and, whilelistening to the repeated yells, which were growing louder and nearer,was suddenly startled by the appearance of a man running toward herfrom the direction in which the hallooing was heard. He was evidentlyfleeing from threatened danger, and almost exhausted. His appearancewas one of deep distress, and when he came nearer she saw that a lookof despair was depicted on his pale and haggard face. She comprehendedthe situation at a glance, deciding that he was being pursued by a foe,and instantly conceived the idea of concealing him. Without waiting forexplanations, she raised a pile of the chia-plant, and, when he came upto her, told him to get under it, which he tried to do, but onlysucceeded in falling in a helpless heap upon the ground. Mitla did notwait for a further effort on his part, but speedily covered him withthe stalks of the plant where he had fallen. Telling him to liestill--hardly a necessary thing to do, to a man in his exhaustedcondition--she moved quickly from the spot in the direction of herhome.
The man's concealment had been accomplished none too soon, for Mitlahad taken scarcely a dozen steps when a party of Tepanec soldiers camein sight around the mountain in hot pursuit of him. So soon as theycame in view she stopped and looked at them a moment; then turned andfixed her gaze on a rise in the ground just ahead of her, as ifsomething had attracted her attention to that point. On being asked ifshe had seen the fugitive, she answered by pointing in the direction ofthe rise. Her ruse was successful, for the soldiers, without furtherquestion, set off on a brisk run. Mitla followed them, to get as farfrom the fugitive's hiding place as possible.
When the soldiers gained the opposite side of the rise they werecompletely nonplussed, and appeared undecided what to do. Mitlaapproached them with perfect composure, and, when interrogated, as towhat direction she thought the man had gone, encouraged them to thinkhe had taken to the mountain. This seemed to agree with their ownconclusions, and, to her delight, they dashed away, and were quicklyhidden among the bushes, in search of him.
Mitla wisely concluded it would not do to go back to the place wherethe man was concealed, just then; so, to consume a little time, went onto the house. After informing her mother and Oxie of her adventure, andcautioning them not to show any interest in her movements, she returnedby a roundabout way to the chia patch. Coming to the pile of stalksunder which the man was lying, she said--only loud enough for him tohear:
"Do not attempt to rise; the soldiers are searching for you among thebushes near by, and might discover you. You will be informed when alldanger is past."
After thus enlightening him, she went leisurely back to the house, toawait her father's return from the mountains, where he had gone inquest of game.
The hunter returned early, and Mitla told him of her adventure. Hedecided at once that the man could not be relieved with safety beforedark. 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 tryingposition for so long a time, but, with the soldiers in the vicinity andliable to appear at any time, he must bear it if he would escape.
The hunter suspected the fugitive's identity, and, while waiting fornight to come, when he could go to his relief, occupied the time inruminating as to how he might best serve him. He haply hit upon an ideawhich appeared so plausible to him that, with an emphatic slap of theknee, 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'ssudden 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 asurprise to her, and she said, expressing it:
"What a simpleton I have been, father, not to have thought of itbefore--the man under the pile of chia-stalks is Hualcoyotl, theTezcucan 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, yemust 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 hisinfallibility.
The time dragged along very slowly to the kind-hearted hunter after hisconception of a plan for relieving the fugitive. He felt that the poorfellow must certainly be suffering no little agony in his painfulposition, and his sympathy was stirred accordingly.
Night, which was impatiently waited for, came on at last, envelopingthe mountains in darkness, obscuring from observation objects at a veryshort distance. It was the hour of relief for the hapless wandererhidden out in the chia patch.
Tezcot and Mitla quietly left the house, and approached the spot wherethe man was concealed. The latter pointed out the pile of stalks whichcovered him, and the former lifted them off his motionless form. Theyfound him in a pitiable condition, quite unable to rise. The hours ofconfinement under the chia stalks, together with his previousenervation, had rendered him benumbed and helpless. He was assisted tohis feet, but his limbs refused to sustain him, and it was foundnecessary for the hunter to carry him to the house. He was taken to aprivate apartment, and placed on a comfortable couch. A mug of pulquewas given him to drink, after which it was thought best to leave himfor a time to himself, to recover, in a measure, from his spentcondition.
More than a week of enforced concealment on the mountain, without foodto stay his increasing hunger, had passed to Hualcoyotl since he becameseparated from his servant and the hunter Menke. He had not beendisturbed in his hiding place, but the distress arising from hisprotracted fasting, together with a consequent nervous anxiety, hadbrought him to the verge of desperation. He must, and would, havesomething to eat, and, regardless of danger, started out to find it. Hereached the plateau, and having boldly emerged upon it, stood lookingabout 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 ofsoldiers were approaching; they had discovered him, and were watchinghis 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 aneffort to elude them by climbing the mountain; so, on observing aprojection extending out from it, only a short distance from where hewas, he promptly decided to round it if possible, and find concealmentbeyond. He started off at a careless gait, though feeling very shaky.When the soldiers saw that he was walking away, they increased theirmovement; he did the same, which brought from them a savage yell, whichsent him forward with a bound. For a short distance he ran with hisusual fleetness, but the impelling force was excitement, which did notlast. He succeeded in turning the point, but in an almost exhaustedcondition. 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 verymuch improved condition. By a little exertion of his own, aided by thestimulating effects of the pulque, his circulation was rapidlyreasserting itself, and his forces, though in a weakened state, werereviving. Refreshments were brought in, of which he was permitted toeat a sufficiency but not excessively.
Tezcot avoided referring to the prince's identity, deferring hisinquiries until the latter should be more fully restored.
H
ualcoyotl did not suspect that his host had a suspicion as to who hewas--at least showed no sign that he did. He was inclined to bereserved and uncommunicative; however, took occasion to express hisgratitude for the kindness shown him.
The hunter, after giving his unhappy guest all necessary attention, andassuring him of his safety, left him for the night.
The next morning Tezcot repaired to the apartment occupied by theprince, and found him quite comfortable. Food, and a night's rest on asoft couch--the first he had enjoyed for many days, did wonders inrestoring his exhausted forces.
The hunter was quite sure that his guest was Prince Hualcoyotl; butbefore proceeding to carry out his plan for securing him from furtherpursuit, 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 familyof Tezcot, the hunter." The prince's countenance brightened at once onhearing that name, which had been spoken of in such warm terms byMenke, and his hopes were renewed and buoyed by the confidence itimparted. He listened more attentively while the mountaineer continued:"Since it is no secret that Hualcoyotl, the Prince of Tezcuco, is afugitive, and hiding somewhere in these mountains, you can not begreatly surprised when told that we think you are that person. Do notfeel any concern for your safety, for Hualcoyotl is as secure withTezcot as he would be in his own palace, surrounded by his friends."
The prince, though surprised that his identity was suspected, wasgreatly relieved and encouraged by the hunter's language, and hisconfidence went out to him at once; for he felt sure that he had foundin him a friend--a friend who had been raised up to help him in hisdarkest 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. Thename of Tezcot relieves me from all concern, for it is an assurance ofgood-will and security. For the first time in weeks I am glad toacknowledge my identity. Yes, glad to say, I am Hualcoyotl. Yourdivination is correct, kind friend; for the fugitive prince standsbefore you, profoundly grateful for his deliverance."
It was now Tezcot's turn to be surprised, for he inferred from theprince's language that he was not unknown to him. Hualcoyotl continued:
"When the good hunter Menke said that Tezcot was a man true as hisarrow, and worthy of the utmost confidence, it did not occur to me thatI would so soon be thrown upon his generosity. But such are the ways ofthe Great Unseen, whose purposes we can not comprehend. Hualcoyotl issurely an object of His protecting care," he concluded reverently.
Tezcot was deeply impressed by the exhibition of reference manifestedby the prince for the Unseen Power which seemed to be shielding hislife and proving him in the crucible of adversity, to prepare him forthe 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 metthe hunter Menke, and yet are here a rescued fugitive?"
"Yes, Tezcot; but days have passed since we met and were unfortunatelyseparated," replied the prince.
"Still, I'm puzzled to account for your being here as you are, aftermeeting 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 histhat it is so." The prince went on and related the circumstances of hismeeting with Menke, and what followed.
"Menke is a good friend, but a little odd," said Tezcot, when theprince had concluded. "He has no doubt looked for you in every placebut 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 themountaineers. If they might do it, I am sure all of them would be gladto afford you assistance."
"I believe you, Tezcot, and heartily appreciate the disposition offriendliness. Especially do I feel thankful to yourself for what hasalready been done for me. That such an excellent friend was raised upto help me so opportunely fills me with unmeasured gratitude."
"Your feelings are natural; but, my friend, you are not yet beyonddanger. Let us look to your further safety. If you will permit it, Ithink something may be done to secure you from any future discomfort,so far as the Tepanec soldiery is concerned," said Tezcot, gettinground 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 yourhands. What would you have me do?"
"Only this: put your trust in the mountaineers, and follow me withoutquestion. 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 thatyour intentions are worthy of my whole confidence. I trust you, myfriend, implicitly; do with me what you will," he answered, showing howweak and dependent he had become.
"It is well. When the stars alone shall give light to guide us, we willgo to a retreat which only an army may successfully invade to disturbyou. But, come; breakfast waits."
When the prince entered the eating-room, his appearance, as comparedwith what it was the night before, was greatly improved. His apparelwas considerably soiled; but after a good cleaning and rearranging,which it had received at the hands of Tezcot's servants, made himappear 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 ofAnahuac, in my hands, could not cancel. Words are meaningless whendrawn upon to express what I feel for the ready thought which promptedthe action whereby I was saved from an implacable enemy. Hualcoyotlwill 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, sherecovered herself, and said:
"Your words are very kind, and more than repay me for what I did tosave you from your pursuers. I shall always be glad that I was where Icould help you."
The prince was pleased with her reply. It showed a degree ofintelligence he was not expecting to find in a mountain girl, and hesaid:
"I am having a peculiarly diverse as well as adverse experience.Yesterday I was a miserable, suffering fugitive, hunted by a relentlessfoe into a condition of absolute incapability; this morning theconditions are entirely and happily reversed by your wonderful presenceof mind at a rare and perplexing moment. In the midst of extremestadversity I am suddenly brought to realize a sense of security andhappiness by being thrown upon the generosity of this most generousfamily. First there comes to me this morning the kindly expressedsympathy of the noble hunter, Tezcot, assuring me of my safety; and nowthe generous words of my admirable young preserver. What can I say inreturn for your magnanimity?"
"Don't try to say anything, Prince. Forget your gratitude for a littlewhile; cease to praise us, and fall to eating heartily, that you mayhave strength to endure what is before you," interrupted the hostpleasantly.
"One could not do less than eat heartily in this excellent mountainhome," 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 Tezcotwas gone. The latter had taken his hunting outfit and disappeared, butnot without a word of caution to the former.
It was not an uncommon thing for the hunter to take his javelin, bowand quiver, and go away for a day's hunt; so, on this occasion, therewas nothing thought of it.
A Prince of Anahuac: A Histori-traditional Story Antedating the Aztec Empire Page 21
