Читать книгу A Prince of Anahuac - James A. Porter - Страница 6

Table of Contents

Lake Tezcuco, the principal one of several situated in the great valley of Mexico, four and three quarter centuries ago, when the present Mexican capital (then Tenochtitlan) stood a league or more within its borders, was quite an inland body of water, covering well on to four hundred square miles of surface. Since that time this lake has shrunken to a remarkable degree, leaving the great valley city, and the sites of others now reduced to insignificance, miles away from it.

At the time to which our narrative refers nearly all the chief cities of Anahuac were situated on its shores, among which was the Tepanec capital, Azcapozalco, located near the northwest corner of the lake. To this city we now have occasion to turn briefly.

Azcapozalco was designated as the royal city, which, if it signified anything, meant that in the time of its ascendency it was the most magnificent seat of government on the lake, if not on the Anahuac. It was a city of walls we are told, and must have boasted of elegant structures of stone and sun-dried brick, which suggests the idea of towering temples, a grand palace and court, and extensive avenues, where swarmed an aggressive and busy population. Its artificers, it is said, were superior in skill to those of any other city on the great plateau, which meant much, when we consider that among these were to be found jewelers who could unify metals so perfectly as to represent objects, harmoniously variegated, by alternately intermixing of silver and gold.

Of their weavers we may speak equally well.

The ancient Mexicans were the first people to use the cochineal for purposes of coloring, which, after the conquest, was introduced into Europe by the Spaniards. Their weavers were enabled with it to make the products of the loom not only brilliant but beautiful.

The fineness of their fabrics varied in texture as well as in dye, the most finished being made of cotton, one of their principal products, with which was interwoven the finest animal hair, forming a web fit to be worn by a king.

A royal city, we may well believe, was Azcapozalco, when Maxtla, the tyrant 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, holding conference with them regarding the duties of their respective positions, and arranging other matters pertaining to his new and exalted station.

The king was a man of medium stature, with a well-rounded physique, swarthy complexion, and very course features. His eyes were small and black, and lighted up with a gleam of cunning and ferocity, which gave to his countenance a decidedly disagreeable expression, and one that boded no good to those whom he might deem his enemies.

The costume he wore consisted of a loose-fitting tunic and leggings made to fit his limbs closely to below the calf; the whole wrought from the finest cotton fabrics and ornamented with trimmings of gold. Over his shoulders was carelessly worn a rich mantle of featherwork. His feet were incased in sandals made from the skin of some wild animal; while on his head rested a crown formed of precious metals, and ornamented with gems and a penache of richly colored feathers.

His chiefs were similarly dressed, excepting the crown, but in a less gaudy manner.

A pause had fallen on the assembly, which was interrupted by the entrance of a herald, who announced Prince Hualcoyotl as desiring audience with the king. The mention of the prince's name caused no little commotion among the king's attendants. A cloud of disapproval came over Maxtla's face, and the evil expression upon it was intensified. After a moment's hesitation he directed that the prince be admitted.

On entering the hall, Hualcoyotl advanced before the king and saluted him in the accustomed manner: kneeling on one knee, placing his right hand on the ground and then to his forehead. While in this position he laid at the scowling Maxtla's feet an offering of flowers, which was emblematic of his peaceful intentions. The king gave a momentary glance at the prostrate prince, and then, with malice and hatred depicted on his countenance, silently and haughtily turned his back upon him. This action on the part of Maxtla was highly significant: it was intended as a humiliation to the prince, and signified that his offering was rejected; 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 he left the door he was accosted by one of the king's attendants, who begged him to withdraw from the palace and city, and return to his own as quickly as possible, for his life was in great danger. He was soon on the road to Tezcuco, where he arrived safely, but much perturbed in spirit and perplexed in mind.

He went immediately to his private apartment, and summoned Euetzin into his presence. In a very short time the tzin appeared, and, after saluting him, said:

"I am here in answer to your summons, noble prince, and would know your pleasure."

"Be at ease, good friend," returned Hualcoyotl, gravely, motioning the tzin to a seat. A brief silence followed, which was broken by the prince.

"Euetzin," he began, fixing his passion-lit eyes on his friend, "the wisdom and penetration of an older head than might be expected has been given 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. Another short pause intervened, and recovering himself he continued, adopting a manner of expression peculiar to his race.

"The lion is loosed, and the fire of anger is in his heart; the fox must be wary, or his cunning may not save him. Do you interpret in these 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 went before the king, and in the presence of his assembled chiefs tendered my fealty and peace offering to his majesty with the accustomed formalities. My offerings were rejected, and I, the Prince of Tezcuco, was spurned by him in the most humiliating manner, and compelled like a coward to slink from his presence under the infliction of the indignity, without the power to resent it. Euetzin, something must be done, 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 now appears."

Euetzin felt that a reply was expected and said:

"Hualcoyotl, the son of our lamented king, can rely upon his friends in any emergency. They are devoted to their country and prince, and only await an opportunity to avenge the wrongs which have been laid upon them."

"Your words, tzin Euet, are encouraging, for they strengthen an impression which I have hopefully entertained: that our people are still imbued with patriotism and love for their country, and may be led by incitement to do battle for its redemption. If our hope is not a vain one, which can only be ascertained by investigation, someone whose soul is in our cause must go abroad to inspire, arouse and prepare them for revolt. By my peculiar position I am unfortunately placed. I can not go to those with whom I would counsel, neither can they come to me; for my every movement will henceforth be under strict and secret surveillance. On you, therefore, my trusted friend, must fall the work which I would, but can not, do—the work of stimulating our people to action and organizing them into an army of resistance to the Tepanec despot, Maxtla. I need not inquire if you will do it; Euetzin is the son of Euzelmozin—that alone bespeaks his compliance."

"My life, O Prince, is at your disposal. You have but to command and I will obey."

"Spoken like the true Tezcucan that you are, noble Euet. That Hualcoyotl has not many more such loyal friends in his misfortune!"

"The hour of need may discover to Hualcoyotl an army of friends not less worthy of trust than Euet," replied the tzin modestly.

"Friends worthy and true, possibly—never but one Euet," returned the prince, with a look which voiced the affectionate esteem in which he held his companion.

The tzin was considerably affected by the prince's fervent manner and language, and appeared confused for want of a suitable reply, which the latter observed, and, quickly continuing, reverted to the main question under 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 the consequence."

"I am aware of that, O Prince, yet I beg you will have no fears for my safety. I will choose my own companions, and, be assured, they will not be 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 our people, and, if possible, the number of our adherents available for soldiers; also, if so desirable an end may be attained, secure the cooperation of other states which are friendly to us. Work with the wisdom and judgment of which I know you to be possessed, and according to the success of your labors shall be your reward. May our nation rise, under your hand, from the ashes of her former greatness, is our most earnest prayer. Go as soon as you can arrange to do so, and may the gods of our fathers be with you and keep you. You will see your excellent mother and sister; bear to them, I pray you, my profound respect, and say that I would come to them could I do so with safety."

Euetzin at leaving would have saluted the prince in the accustomed manner, but was stopped by him, and, instead, was received upon his breast in a strong embrace, which signified that he was, for the time at 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 was full and complete, as we have seen, and the sequel proved that it was wisely placed.

When the tzin had withdrawn from the prince's apartment the latter fell into deep meditation, as was his wont in the recent past. His thoughts at 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 has been like a father to me, and should share fully in my confidence. His wisdom and sagacity may yet be of invaluable service to me, as they have been in the past."

He arose and straightway sought the old servitor in his private apartment, where he found him poring over his hieroglyphics. Salutations were exchanged, and the prince proceeded to relate the particulars of his visit to the palace of Maxtla; also to express his fears as to the consequences liable to ensue, and his determination to meet them by a speedy preparation for resistance.

Itzalmo was not pleased that the prince had gone before the king unknown 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 more than 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 who quickly notified him when anything of importance occurred in his majesty's household or court. In this manner he was kept informed and always forewarned.

Acquainted, as the old Tezcucan was, with the treacherous disposition of the Tepanecs, and Maxtla in particular, he felt that the strictest watchfulness would be necessary to avoid surprise. He had saved the prince from the wrath of the old king, and hoped he might be able to save him again, should the emergency arise. He therefore begged him to be discreet and trust to him.

"You are young, O Prince, and with little experience to guide you," he said. "I pray you, be not incautious, but let your actions be governed by wisdom and understanding. Do not forget, O Hualcoyotl, that the destiny of a people rests with you. Listen to him who has counseled and shown you the way in the past. Itzalmo is your proven friend; he will do for you what no other can."

The old man's earnestness was remarkable, and the prince felt it. He said:

"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, that your counsel shall not be ignored. I will be guarded in what I do. You have my promise."

As he concluded, the prince passed from the apartment of the loyal old vassal, the latter sending after him a prayerful benediction.