After greeting the tzin the king bade him take a seat with the a.s.sembly.

The call of the roll was resumed and completed. It was found that all were present who were expected to take part in the council. At its conclusion Macua again arose and said:

"We are a.s.sembled here to-day to consider a matter of vital interest to all of us: the matter of a threatened invasion of our territories by Maxtla, the new king at Azcapozalco. The fate of Tezcuco is before us.

Shall this man be allowed to spoil us while our eyes are open? This, friends, is the question you have been called together to consider. Let your words be words of wisdom, that our council may result in good."

After a brief period of silence an old man--a Tlacopan chief--rose up, and addressed the king:

"Your majesty's words are words of warning. We are, of a truth, menaced by this Maxtla, of Azcapozalco, whose power is great. The army of Tlacopan, combined with the armies of all the princ.i.p.alities here represented, would be as naught before the hosts of his mighty empire.

Have you not something to say that will give encouragement? What is in your mind that has not been revealed to us?"

The king spoke in reply:

"The armies of all the princ.i.p.alities represented here to-day would, indeed, be unequal to cope with Maxtla in the field; but, friends, there is offered us a hope in a union with the oppressed Tezcucans. A voice has come to me from Tezcuco: Tezcuco would be free. Euetzin, a representative of that people, is with us to-day. He is here as the envoy of Hualcoyotl, their prince, who is now a fugitive, unjustly pursued--a man who is beloved of his own, but hated by the monarch we fear. We would join the Tezcucans in a war against Maxtla, if the appearances are favorable to success. We would hear what Euetzin may have to offer us."

There was a stir about the chamber at this declaration from Macua, and the tzin at once became an object of much interest. He arose, at a motion from the king, and, after casting his eyes over the a.s.semblage of stern-looking warriors, said:

"Tezcuco will be free, or go down deeper into the slough of oppression.

To Maxtla she will no longer submit, if a mighty struggle will give her liberty. An army of patriots, though unseen, are now waiting for the signal to march to victory, death, or a lower degradation. Tezcuco would secure the aid of those who would have the Tepanec usurper overthrown. Many would make our victory sure. I am here, to-day, seeking coalition." Turning about, he addressed Macua: "Will it please the King to read this paper?" As he concluded, the tzin handed a doc.u.ment to the king, which proved to be an estimate of the Tezcucan forces, based on their secret enrollment.

When Macua had perused and understood the significance of the contents of the paper, he looked at the tzin in astonishment, and said:

"I am filled with wonder at what is here set forth. If Tezcuco can do so much, then, indeed, is there hope. Maxtla might well tremble for his supremacy, did he know the magnitude of his opposition."

After a further examination of the paper the king continued:

"With your consent, Euetzin, I would make known to our friends what is here written."

"The wisdom of Macua must direct him. He should understand the importance to Tezcuco of the knowledge which is contained in the paper.

Should it be made public it would be most unfortunate for her cause,"

replied the tzin, courteously.

"I have faith in our friends, and will be responsible for their silence," returned Macua, proceeding to acquaint the council with the contents of the doc.u.ment. Its members were no less astonished than was the king at the measure of their significance. Macua then said:

"We remember the mild and generous disposition of the late king of Tezcuco, and how deeply our people regretted his fall, and the subversion of his government. A restoration of that government under the rule of his son, Prince Hualcoyotl, would give us complete security. Euetzin comes to us bearing evidence, which we can not doubt, that he is, in truth, the representative of the Tezcucan prince, and, as such, would not deceive us by misrepresentation. I, therefore, as the King of Tlacopan, having confidence in him, am ready to accept his statements as correct, and, with the consent of my advisers, will join Tezcuco in a war against the Tepanec king."

There were a number of high officials present from two states, besides Tlacopan, who were unanimous in their approval of Macua's declaration.

It was, therefore, sustained by his chiefs, which led to an agreement of coalition being entered into, and its ratification in their accustomed manner.

After a further consideration of the matter as to plans of procedure, it was decided to hold a great tourney at Tlacopan on a certain day in the near future, which would afford the Tezcucans a pretense to withdraw from Tezcuco for the purpose of ma.s.sing. It was also decided that envoys should be sent to Azcapozalco, to appear before Maxtla the same day on which the tourney was to take place, to present to him the ultimatum of the allied states, the princ.i.p.al condition of which should be the liberation of Tezcuco, and the enthronement of her prince.

It was further agreed that the army of each state should be under the command of its own prince and warriors, the whole to be commanded by the prince furnishing the greatest number of soldiers. The council then broke up, subject to a call from Macua.

There was much to accomplish before the time appointed for holding the tournament, which was to be nothing more nor less than the a.s.sembling of the hosts of the allied states. The secret councils of Tezcucans had to be notified and instructed, and the arms, which were already provided for their equipment, transported secretly to the vicinity of Tlacopan. In addition to this, Hualcoyotl was to be brought secretly to Tlacopan, for it was expected that he would be placed at the head of the army. These preparations would depend largely on the tzin and his companion, and they permitted no time to go by unimproved, but proceeded at once to the consummation of them.

CHAPTER XXVII.

Euetzin and his fellow conspirators found the time very brief for completing their preparations for the ma.s.sing of the insurgent army of Tezcuco on the day appointed. The work was attended with so much secrecy that it had to be carried on in a very quiet manner, keeping them constantly on the alert. This being the case, the tzin and Cacami were kept continually employed, with not a moment of time to spare in which to visit their homes. However, just before starting for the mountains, to escort Hualcoyotl into Tlacopan, they took time to go and say good-by, and procure what was necessary to complete their outfits.

While the Tezcucans were secretly pushing forward their preparations, Macua was busily engaged in replenishing his store-houses with provisions and other supplies for the armies.

A commendable feature in the economy and foresight of the Aztecs--and no less that of the other nations of Anahuac, for what may be said of one will apply to all--was the establishment of great granaries, or store-houses, where supplies were garnered up to meet future exigencies. This was accomplished by tribute from the agricultural districts of the province.

The time appointed for holding the tournament was at hand, and Tlacopan was gorgeously attired for the occasion. The day was propitious, and the city was filled to overflowing with people, who had come from far and near to witness the achievements of the contestants.

The number of foreigners present was unprecedented. The primal cause of this unusual spectacle will be apparent to the reader.

The hour for the tourney to open had arrived, and an immense throng of people was a.s.sembled on the city's market-place, where it was thought best to hold the meeting, in view of the expected crowd. The _tianguez_ was a great square, inwalled by buildings, store-houses, etc., and made to accommodate anywhere from twenty-five to fifty thousand people. Much of its s.p.a.ce, on this day, was protected by coverings, cotton awnings, canopies, etc., and was arranged to seat a mult.i.tude.

Tournaments were not an uncommon occurrence among the nations of Anahuac, and the people were encouraged to partic.i.p.ate in them by awards of merit--jewels, medals, decorations, etc., which were bestowed upon the successful contestants. Every ruler of any importance was provided with a suitable place in which to hold the contests, usually a great inclosed court attached to the king's palace, but which, on this occasion, was not adequate to the demands.

In many instances, among the more barbarous nations, the tourney of the Aztecs was not less b.l.o.o.d.y than those of the ancients of Pompeii and Rome, resulting purposely in the death of one or more of the contestants.

In view of the immense concourse of people in attendance at Tlacopan, the occasion would prove a proud one for the victors.

Contests with the bow and arrow, and tilts with the javelin, were to be especial features of the approaching tourney, which were open to all comers.

It was not required of a contestant that he or she be personally known; a badge, however, was usually worn, denoting the tribal connection.

A trial of skill between bowmen was announced, and the babbling throng became hushed. The signal for the contestants to appear was sounded, and a score or more of athletic warriors leaped into the arena. They were clothed in their military tunic, which covered the body and thighs. About the head was a band surmounted with featherwork.

Ornaments and decorations of different kinds, denoting former victories, were worn by a number of them. A buckler, or shield, was carried by each one as a protection against the arrows of an opponent.

There were two points of excellence considered in this contest: the accuracy with which the arrow was dispatched, and the dexterity with which it was caught upon the shield.

The contest was opened by two of the warriors taking positions opposite and facing each other, at a fixed distance apart. The a.s.sembled mult.i.tude became instantly stilled, and all eyes were centered upon them. The bows of the opposing bowmen were deliberately brought to position, and at a given signal two arrows sped across the s.p.a.ce which separated them, and which were neatly stopped by the respective shields. The effect upon the audience was electrical; a shout of approval went up for the splendid exhibition of skill manifested by the contestants. The opponents, in this instance, were of Tlacopan and Tenocht.i.tlan. After three trials the score was recorded in favor of the latter.

Another two advanced to position, and a record was made. Thus the contest proceeded to the fifth entry, when a Tepanec and Tezcucan stood opposed. Two trials were successfully achieved, but at the third the arrow of the Tezcucan clipped a piece from the ear of the Tepanec, carrying away the ring which adorned it. A prolonged shout of exultation from the Tezcucans present followed the discovery of the result of the shot.

The wounded contestant was a warrior of note in his own country, which was evidenced by the number of decorations he wore. He was greatly chagrined and angered at his mishap, and retired from the arena with bitterness in his heart, and a vengeful scowl upon his face. He was stoutly built, and would prove a dangerous adversary in a contest of strength.

The first of the series of contests was conducted to a finish, and the second was called, which was to be a contest in target shooting, to which none but women were admitted.

When the signal for their entrance was given, an array of beauty, in person and dress seldom witnessed, glided upon the scene. There were princesses, the wives and daughters of caciques and chiefs, and others with no royal blood to give them prestige--a double score.

We will not pause to describe the costumes--suffice it to say that the majority of them were gorgeous in the extreme, with elaborately wrought tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs of gold and silver, and beautifully designed featherwork, making altogether a most fanciful picture of barbaric splendor.

The target, which in this case was the representation of a heart, was placed, and the contest opened.

The order of succession had been determined, and the first archer stepped to the front, receiving, as she did so, a good round of applause. After a moment's deliberation the arrow from her bow was sent on its harmless mission. It was well directed, but did not cut the target. She moved to one side, and another took her place.

"Look!" exclaimed a spectator to an a.s.sociate as the second archer stepped into position. "By the bearded Quetzal, there's a beauty for you! Superb, isn't she?" The contestant was a stranger to that vast throng, but, had the reader of our story been present, a glance would have sufficed to reveal who it was; for it was none other than Mitla, the "Mountain Princess," who, through the persuasion of the tzin, had consented to enter the contest. After taking position she paused to recover her composure, giving the spectators time to note her admirable physique. A buzz of admiration was heard to pa.s.s through the great audience, and then as her bow was deliberately raised to shoot, all became silent! The silence was breathless--almost oppressive--while the vast crowd awaited the result of her shot. A snap was heard to break the stillness, followed by a sudden shadowy streak, which touched the target and disappeared; but the substance of it, the arrow from Mitla's bow, was left buried directly in the center of the heart. When the splendid feat of archery she had accomplished was realized, it was greeted with the wildest demonstrations of delight, accompanied by a shower of flowers, which fell in profusion about her. She had won the heart of the mult.i.tude by her superb, native presence, and unexcelled exhibition of skill.

Mitla cast her eyes in the direction of the king's canopied platform, and the look drew forth from friends there lively manifestations of recognition and applause. Coming, as these demonstrations did, from Macua's place on the _tianguez_, they were regarded by those who observed them as highly significant, fixing upon her the prestige of royal favor, raising the unknown archer, in their semi-barbarous minds, far above the plain of her uneventful life.

Many splendid shots were made by Mitla's compet.i.tors, but to no purpose. Her unerring accuracy could not be excelled, and at the close of the contest, amid shouts and acclamations of satisfaction, she was declared the winner.