CHAPTER XX.
It was mid-afternoon, and quiet reigned in and about the mountaineer'shome. Tezcot was still on the mountain, where he had gone in themorning, presumably to hunt. Hualcoyotl, though still very weak fromprivation and the effects of the distressing ordeal through which hehad passed the previous day, was enjoying, in undisturbed seclusion, apeacefulness of mind he had not experienced since his wanderings began.Mitla and Oxie were passing a leisure hour in the inviting shade of alarge cypress tree, which stood a short distance from the house. Tothis spot they often went to while away their unoccupied time inchatting, and, if industriously inclined, to fashion some article forthe adornment of the person or home. Mitla, on this occasion, wasengaged in arranging a piece of feather-work, while Oxie, lessdiligent, lazily disposed herself on the warm, dry sward near by.
The happiness of innocent girlhood was enjoyed by both these maidens,for no disturbing influence had, up to this time, come to mar therustic simplicity of their lives. The passion of love, which sooner orlater stirs the heart of youth, was yet unknown to them.
Oxie was saying:
"I think the prince is very handsome, sister, don't you?" She spokewith shyness, as if the expression involved a thought to which sheought not give utterance. Mitla looked up with no little surprise andsaid, inquiringly:
"When did your eyes open to the thought that men are sometimeshandsome, Oxie?"
"My eyes have long been open to that which is attractive, Mitla. Wouldyou have me close them now, that the object is a man?" she replied,with some show of impatience.
"Not so, sister; but coming from you, the words sounded oddly. It seemsonly yesterday that you were a child. Your question tells me you areone no longer. But to answer you: The prince is fine looking, yet doesnot impress me as being admirable. Under more favorable circumstanceshe would, no doubt, be quite handsome."
"It is when he speaks that the beauty of his countenance is seen," saidOxie with more courage, which Mitla's answer had imparted. "His eyesare so bright, they fairly dazzle one. When he spoke to you thismorning at breakfast I could not help admiring him. It surely was notwrong, sister?"
"I can not say if it was wrong or not; yet, Oxie, I would not encouragesuch thoughts; they might wound your heart," replied Mitla, not yethaving realized that older hearts than Oxie's were subject toimpressions that often wound.
"Why do you say that, sister?" asked Oxie, somewhat curiously. "Whyshould it wound my heart to think well of the prince's looks?"
"Do you know what such thoughts lead to, Oxie?" rejoined Mitla,soberly.
"I can not say that I do; but surely not to anything serious?" stillcurious.
"Well, sister, I will tell you. After admiration follows love, which inthis case would indeed be serious. The folly of a mountain girl fallingin love with a noble, and he a prince at that, should be apparent evento you, Oxie," Mitla answered, a little severely.
"Why folly, sister, if her love should be returned?" asked theinfatuated maiden. This was too much for Mitla's philosophic mentality,and she concluded that a further discussion of the subject would onlytend to strengthen the impressions made upon Oxie's inexperienced mindby the person of the young prince. She answered evasively:
"I only know, sister, from what I have heard, and think I would preferto say no more about it. See!" she suddenly exclaimed, "yonder comesfather. Let us run to meet him," and away they sped to meet the hunter,whose appearance was hailed by Mitla as being very opportune.
"You are early at home to-day, father," she said, when they came up tohim. "Has anything happened to you?"
"Yes and no, child. You double up your questions so, I scarcely knowhow to answer," said he, in reply. "I was a little anxious about theprince, and returned earlier on that account. He's all right, eh?"
"He seems to be, father. We would not know that he is in the house,from any noise he makes," answered Mitla.
"Where is your game, father?" inquired Oxie, noticing that he broughtnone with him. "You never before came home with an empty hand."
"No, child; not if I were hunting."
"Have you not been hunting, father," she pursued.
"No, Oxie. Other business has claimed my attention to-day."
"I can guess where you have been, father," said Mitla, eager to giveexpression to a suddenly conceived thought.
"I wouldn't wonder, child, if you should," he replied, apparentlyindifferent as to whether she could or not.
"You have been to see the hermit. Am I not correct?"
"Yes, Mit, you are correct. I went to have a talk with Ix about theprince."
"I know now what you meant yesterday, when you declared you would savethe prince, while he was still under the chia stalks," added Mitla. "Itwas thoughtful in you to see in the hermitage a refuge for him," shecontinued, her voice expressing approval, which was also reflected onher animated countenance. "Will the hermit approve of it?"
"Yes, child, but I'd rather not discuss the matter farther now. I'lltell you all about it another time," urged the father, kindly.
They were drawing near to the house, to enter which they were obligedto pass the little window of the prince's apartment, at which he wasseated, looking out. The hunter and Mitla greeted him with a friendlysmile of recognition as they passed. Oxie, who had fallen behind for amoment, to pluck a few flowers which she arranged into a neat littlebouquet, on coming to the window, blushingly handed them to him. Helooked pleased, and acknowledged the gift by saying:
"You are very good to remember me in this manner. Your kindness, Oxie,will not soon be forgotten."
There was that in the voice and manner of the prince which affected thesimple, girlish heart of Oxie greatly. She was too much confused toreply, and, dropping her eyes under his piercing look, hurried on afterher father and Mitla, who had already entered the house.
Hualcoyotl was always considerate of the feelings of those with whom hecame in contact, no matter what might be their station in life; as aconsequence he was kindly regarded by all who came, in any degree, toknow him. His words addressed to Oxie, in acknowledgment of the gift offlowers, were spoken with no thought other than that of kindness; yet,what he said was indelibly fixed on her keenly receptive mind,especially the words: "Your kindness, Oxie, will not soon beforgotten." They would prove a secret treasure put away in memory'shidden recesses to be drawn upon
"When in silent, contemplative mood."
* * * * *
When the mountaineer left home in the morning, instead of going to hunthe went directly to the hermit's cave. His purpose was to have a talkwith Ix, the "man of mystery," regarding the prince, and to arrange forbringing him to the cavern for safety. He felt sure the hermit wouldraise no objections to having the fugitive for a close neighbor, if nota companion. He was received with the hermit's accustomed cordiality,and listened to with close attention while he made known the object ofhis visit.
Notwithstanding his habitual serenity, Ix gave evidence in his mien ofboth interest and sympathy as the account of the prince's distressedcondition, when rescued, was told to him by the hunter. He saidnothing, however, until the latter was through.
"I know not of what blood you are, O Tezcot, nor do I ask to know; but,from the words you have often spoken in my presence, to which I havehearkened with pleasure, together with the deep concern you nowmanifest for the welfare of the Prince of Tezcuco, I am assured thatyou are kindly disposed toward his people. Although Ix is without acountry, still he has his preferences. Your sympathy for the youngprince finds an echo in my lonely heart. Fetch him hither, good friend,and let him abide with me, for mine is a dreary cell to which hispresence will bring a welcome relief." Such was Ix's gratifyingresponse to Tezcot's plea for Hualcoyotl.
Expressing his gratification in a very hearty manner for the hermit'sready consent to receive the prince as a companion, and promising tosee him again in the evening, accompanied by the latter, the huntertook his departure.
After
leaving the cavern, Tezcot went to talk with a few of the leadingmountaineers about the prince; and, especially, with reference toputting the hermitage under a close surveillance. The cavern wouldafford a comparatively safe refuge as it was, but to make it so beyonda doubt was an important part of the hunter's plan. To do this wouldrequire the cooperation of a number of his friends. He found themountaineers whom he went to see cheerfully acquiescent, and ready toassist in any way they could.
In order that no delay might ensue in arranging for Hualcoyotl'ssecurity it was decided that a council of friendly hunters should beheld at one of their homes, conveniently located, where explanationscould be made and an organization effected to meet the exigency.Runners were dispatched accordingly, to notify those whose presence atthe council was particularly desired. After matters were shapedagreeably to the hunter's ideas, he turned his footsteps homeward,where his arrival has already been noted.
Everything was working well for securing the safety of the royalfugitive, and greatly to the satisfaction of his deeply interestedfriend, who felt in his big heart a profound sense of self-approval forwhat he was doing for suffering Tezcuco, by giving aid to herpersecuted prince.
* * * * *
Night came on, and the mountaineer's home was enveloped in deepdarkness. The hour was at hand when Hualcoyotl was to be conductedthence to the hermit's cave. In taking leave of the hunter's family hehad words of kindness for all, especially for Mitla, whom he lookedupon as a deliverer, and toward whom he felt a profound sense ofgratitude. He could not forget that her quick thought and ready handhad saved him from capture and a subsequent cruel death at the hands ofhis enemy, and placed him in the way of a final escape, as he believed,from his pursuers. Whatever that was worth to him he owed to her.
To Oxie he said, holding up the little bouquet of flowers she had givenhim a few hours before:
"I bear away with me this token of your kindness, Oxie. It will soonfade and pass from my keeping; not so a recollection of the giver.That," turning to Zoei, "with the remembrance of the peaceful hours Ihave enjoyed beneath your hospitable roof, will pass from me only withmy life. Good-by." The next moment he was gone, disappearing with hisconductor in the deep shadows of the night.
There was no particular danger to be feared on the way to thehermitage, except a possible attack from some prowling beast; stillTezcot deemed it prudent to go armed for any emergency. He hadundertaken to do a thing, and was firm in his purpose that nothingshould intervene, through any act or omission of his, to prevent itsaccomplishment. He was wide awake, and his uncommonly quick ear andpenetrating eye were wonderfully alive to the surroundings, ready tocatch any sound, or spot any object, of a suspicious nature which mightsuddenly arise.
The prince's enervated physical condition, together with the roughnessof the ground over which it was necessary to pass, made their progressunavoidably slow. He had the utmost confidence in his conductor, andfollowed him in silence. However, not having been informed as to theirdestination, his mind was actively ruminating amid the realms ofconjecture and anticipation.
Not a word was spoken by either, after leaving Tezcot's house, untilthe cavern was reached, and then not before the signal was given, andIx's deep and solemn voice was heard in answer to it, bidding themwelcome to his humble abode.
The hermit's expression of language was always impressive, especiallyso in the presence of those whom he looked upon as having superiorintelligence, entitling them to consideration. The presence, therefore,of the Prince of Tezcuco was of sufficient importance to call for hismost imposing manner.
After Tezcot had in a few words introduced the prince to his cavernretreat and its mysterious occupant, and the prince had givenexpression to his great surprise and gratification, the hermit saidsignificantly:
"The wise hunter counted well when he numbered Ix among the friends ofHualcoyotl;" then turning to the latter he continued: "Content yourselfwith me, O Prince of Tezcuco, until the great Huitzil is ready toavenge you, which he will surely do."
We will not pause to detail what followed at the hermitage on thisoccasion, except to say briefly, that Tezcot, after assuring himselfthat the prince would be comfortable, and promising an early return,took his leave, saying as he did so:
"The gods befriend you both, and confuse the emissaries of Maxtla."
A no less sincere benediction from two grateful hearts followed thedeparting friend.
The hermit and prince were alone. What transpired between them thereader will be left to conjecture. We will say, however, that theassociation resulted in a friendship which proved of inestimableadvantage to both of them in an auspicious future.
Tezcot went from the hermitage to the meeting of the friendly hunters,which resulted in the organization of a mountain patrol, and anyonegoing to the hermit's cave the next morning would have found itsapproaches watched by eagle eyes in hunter's guise.
Thus we leave the fugitive prince, who had at last found a perfectrefuge, where he could bide his time without fear of molestation.
A Prince of Anahuac: A Histori-traditional Story Antedating the Aztec Empire Page 22
