A Prince of Anahuac Part 16

[8] NOTE.--See Hale's Mexico.

There was a feeling of deep respect for the rights of nations maintained among the Anahuacans, and any violation of them engendered a general hostility toward the violator.

Sympathy hardly ever led a tribe to take sides between other tribes at war. Only when the grievances were common did they unite their forces.

The Mexicans were decidedly friendly to the cause of the Tezcucans in their war with the Tepanecs, and yet stood aloof and saw them humbled in the very dust. Their sympathies were still with them in their degradation.

In consequence of this friendly feeling, many Tezcucans were to be found in their capital and territory; some of whom had withdrawn from Tezcuco for the betterment of their condition; others because of their hatred for the nation which had subverted their government and subjected them to an onerous and hateful va.s.salage.

Old warriors, who preferred voluntary exile to servility; merchants and traders, who thought to find a better field in which to ply their vocations, and n.o.bles, whose t.i.tles, since the death of their king and the subversion of his government, were only nominal, were to be found among them--all living and waiting in the hope of a restoration of their kingdom.

The determined efforts of King Maxtla to destroy Prince Hualcoyotl had not improved the former's standing in the Mexican capital, but, on the other hand, had produced just the opposite effect. The Tezcucans were outspoken in their denunciation of him and his government, and nothing was 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, which was one story in height--their buildings were very seldom higher. The building referred to was used princ.i.p.ally as a store-house for unsold marketable products, and was divided up into suitable apartments--rooms and booths. In one of the rooms, fronting on the _tianguez_, was a cafe, or restaurant, kept by a Tezcucan. A part of the room--the back portion--was cut off from the front by means of a curtain, for the convenience of parties desiring to be served privately. There was a door opening from this part of the room into a hallway, which extended back the full length of the building. Some distance back, at the side of this hallway, three or four steps were situated, which led downward to a very short hall, from which an entrance was to be had to an apartment 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 pa.s.s 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; pa.s.s in."

Nothing further was said. The party pa.s.sed back and out into the hallway, along which they went to the steps previously referred to.

Here they paused a moment, in a listening att.i.tude. Hearing nothing of a disturbing character, they descended. A few steps brought them to a door, before which they stopped and gave one rap. The following response was elicited:

"What seek ye?"

"Our own," replied the same person who had addressed the keeper of the cafe. The door was opened, and they entered. Pa.s.sing on to another door, 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 the seekers for admission.

"It is a royal offering. Enter." The door was opened, and the young men were admitted. For a moment, while the door was again closed, they stood in black darkness; then a curtain was drawn to one side, discovering to them a low, dingy, dimly lighted chamber. Men, old and young, who had entered in the same guarded manner as they, were seated about the room. The newcomers were told to pa.s.s in, which they did, and were seated like those who had preceded them.

Perfect silence prevailed while the chamber was filling up. Upon each man's face was a stern and determined look. Not a sign of recognition pa.s.sed between them. It was an a.s.sembly of people whose taciturnity was always p.r.o.nounced under circ.u.mstances of an impressive character.

When the proper time arrived, a man of middle age and commanding presence arose and addressed the meeting. He was evidently a prominent Tezcucan. He said:

"The hour has come when the ear should be open to catch the sound, and the tongue silent that it may not escape. Euetzin, son of the n.o.ble Euzelmozin, is here. He bears a message from his brother Tezcucan."

Turning to the foremost of the two young men with whom we entered, he continued: "Let Euetzin speak. The men of his tribe have ears, and they are open."

Euetzin it was, sure enough, who now arose to address the a.s.sembly.

Amid the profoundest silence, he began, using a metaphorical expression, speaking in a very impressive manner:

"The lion hath made his spring, but the prey he sought was the cunning fox. The fox escaped, and the lion is full of wrath." He paused a moment, and then continued, changing his manner of speech: "Men of Tezcucan blood--you who love and revere the memory of a n.o.ble though fallen king, and a country once proud and happy--give ear. I am here,"

he went on, "to arouse you from the lethargy of a hopeless indifference, and to a.s.sure you, as I believe, that Tezcuco may yet be free. Though our prince is a fugitive, outlawed, with a price placed upon his life; the land which gave us birth trodden under the heel of a usurping tyrant, and our people made subject to a shameful va.s.salage; yet there still lives in the hearts of these people a patriotic love of country, which, if stirred, will break asunder the shackles which bind them, and bid defiance to the authors of their degradation." The tzin spoke with remarkable force, and was listened to with the profoundest attention. "Are we men, or are we only slaves," he vociferated, "that we shake not off the spell which binds us hand and foot, and holds the tongue till it speaks not? Awake, ye men of Tezcuco, awake! and let your ears be open; for the voice of your prince cries from the mountain fastnesses for help. Shall it be a vain cry, or shall it find a quick response in the hearts of his people and a speedy resistance to his despotic 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 us raise high the standard he loved: the standard of our own Tezcuco, and pause not until her loyal sons everywhere are enrolled under it, and the usurper has been driven by our patriotic legions beyond her borders.

"He who will join me in the glorious work of redeeming Tezcuco from dishonor and a hated va.s.salage rise, and, with his hand over his heart, repeat after me the obligation which shall pledge us, arm and life, to the cause of our country and prince."

Every man in the chamber quickly stood up and was heard to repeat, in deep and solemn tones, the following, to them, awful obligation:

"Tezcuco, my own once ill.u.s.trious, 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 blood run red on the altar of Huitzil,[9] whose aid I now invoke!" A moment of impressive silence followed, and the men resumed their seats.

Euetzin continued:

[9] NOTE.--The Aztec G.o.d of war.

"In this hour, life and motion have been infused into the cause of Tezcuco, which many have looked upon as lost. We have each, by our obligation, made ourselves the active moving element in its sudden resuscitation. What shall be the outcome? What shall be the end of this altogether splendid beginning? Be this our unqualified answer: Tezcuco shall be free!"

The a.s.sembly was thoroughly aroused, and during a moment's pause in the tzin's speech a spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm took place. "Tezcuco shall be free!" was the reiterated acclaim which resounded through the chamber. When quiet was restored the tzin went on:

"And now, since we are pledged, let us, every man, be up and doing. Let no loyal Tezcucan be overlooked. Move silently and quickly, ceasing not the work until the fire of patriotism, which has been enkindled in our hearts to-night, shall have spread to the farthest borders of Anahuac, and every true friend of Tezcuco has espoused her cause, and enrolled himself under the banner of Hualcoyotl and liberty. Let not your ears be closed, for the call will surely come which will claim the fulfillment of your obligation."

When the young conspirator concluded and had taken his seat, an old warrior rose up and said a few encouraging words. He spoke as follows:

"The spirit of loyalty and devotion evinced by our young leader, the tzin, for his unfortunate country and prince, does honor to Euzelmozin, his n.o.ble father, who was my friend. Age has left the Matzatl a weak and broken sword. His day of fighting is past; yet the Matzatl would live to see his country rescued from the hand of the spoiler. Young men, hearken to the words of the young tzin and follow his counsel.

Matzatl has faith in the son of Euzelmozin, and is a.s.sured that he will lead you to victory. Our brother, whose words first greeted us to-night, spoke wisely when he said: 'The hour has come when the ear should be open to catch the sound, and the tongue silent that it may not escape.' See to it that ye hear the sound and hold it."

Others, including Cacami, addressed the a.s.sembly briefly, urging a faithful adherence to the cause which they had sworn with their all to defend.

At a suggestion from Euetzin a permanent organization was formed, which was designated a council, and an experienced warrior chosen to officiate as its chief. Thus was the object of the meeting attained; the first step toward the organization of an army accomplished, and the hearts of those present inspired with confidence in their cause, and zeal to labor for its promotion and final establishment.

The meeting had been brought about through the influence of the tzin, with the a.s.sistance of a few leading spirits, whose special duty was to see each one personally and instruct him in the pa.s.swords, that no man who was not known to be true and loyal might gain admission.

The men quietly dispersed and the world outside was none the wiser that an organization was begun, having for its end an object freighted with consequences, the measure of which was not comprehended by the originators themselves.

The same proceeding was enacted in every city and town where Tezcucans were found in sufficient numbers to make it possible. Not only were Euetzin and Cacami engaged in it, but others who had entered the work with heart and soul imbued with the spirit of resistance and a life pledged to the accomplishment of their country's liberation. It was all being done with such quiet stealth that no move or sound gave evidence of the rapidly spreading conspiracy.

CHAPTER XIV.

Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food. Hualcoyotl took it upon himself to do this.

The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.

Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.

It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially within the dense woody growth which covered it. The prince stole noiselessly forth from his hiding-place, and with that stealth which is characteristic of the American Indian, pa.s.sed down the mountain's side, and out onto the plain below. Food in abundance was just before him, but to undertake to secure it would be at the risk of discovery, and, possibly, death. The maddening pangs of hunger were impelling him on; and in his starving condition the tempting food, which was almost within his reach, outweighed the instinctive sense of self-preservation. With cat-like tread he moved away from the mountain's base, knowing that, at any moment, he might come upon a camp of his enemy. In his weak and nervous condition the noise made in the rustling of a leaf, or by the breaking of a twig, was magnified a dozenfold in his imagination.