Produced by Donald Lainson and Anonymous Volunteers
MONTEZUMA'S DAUGHTER
by H. Rider Haggard
NOTE
The more unpronounceable of the Aztec names are shortened in manyinstances out of consideration for the patience of the reader; thus'Popocatapetl' becomes 'Popo,' 'Huitzelcoatl' becomes 'Huitzel,' &c.The prayer in Chapter xxvi. is freely rendered from Jourdanet's Frenchtranslation of Fray Bernardino de Sahagun's History of New Spain,written shortly after the conquest of Mexico (Book VI, chap. v.), towhich monumental work and to Prescott's admirable history the author ofthis romance is much indebted. The portents described as heralding thefall of the Aztec Empire, and many of the incidents and events writtenof in this story, such as the annual personation of the god Tezcatlipocaby a captive distinguished for his personal beauty, and destined tosacrifice, are in the main historical. The noble speech of the EmperorGuatemoc to the Prince of Tacuba uttered while they both were sufferingbeneath the hands of the Spaniards is also authentic.
DEDICATION
My dear Jebb,
Strange as were the adventures and escapes of Thomas Wingfield, once ofthis parish, whereof these pages tell, your own can almost equal themin these latter days, and, since a fellow feeling makes us kind, you atleast they may move to a sigh of sympathy. Among many a distant landyou know that in which he loved and fought, following vengeance and hisfate, and by your side I saw its relics and its peoples, its volcansand its valleys. You know even where lies the treasure which, threecenturies and more ago, he helped to bury, the countless treasure thatan evil fortune held us back from seeking. Now the Indians have takenback their secret, and though many may search, none will lift the gravenstone that seals it, nor shall the light of day shine again upon thegolden head of Montezuma. So be it! The wealth which Cortes wept over,and his Spaniards sinned and died for, is for ever hidden yonder bythe shores of the bitter lake whose waters gave up to you that ancienthorror, the veritable and sleepless god of Sacrifice, of whom I wouldnot rob you--and, for my part, I do not regret the loss.
What cannot be lost, what to me seem of more worth than the dead heroGuatemoc's gems and jars of gold, are the memories of true friendshipshown to us far away beneath the shadow of the Slumbering Woman,* and itis in gratitude for these that I ask permission to set your name withina book which were it not for you would never have been written.
I am, my dear Jebb,
Always sincerely yours,
H. RIDER HAGGARD.
* The volcano Izticcihuatl in Mexico.
DITCHINGHAM, NORFOLK, October 5, 1892.
To J. Gladwyn Jebb, Esq.
NOTE
Worn out prematurely by a life of hardship and extraordinary adventure,Mr. Jebb passed away on March 18, 1893, taking with him the respect andaffection of all who had the honour of his friendship. The author haslearned with pleasure that the reading of this tale in proof and thefact of its dedication to himself afforded him some amusement andsatisfaction in the intervals of his sufferings.
H. R. H.
March 22, 1893.
CONTENTS
I WHY THOMAS WINGFIELD TELLS HIS TALE
II. OF THE PARENTAGE OF THOMAS WINGFIELD
III. THE COMING OF THE SPANIARD
IV. THOMAS TELLS HIS LOVE
V. THOMAS SWEARS AN OATH
VI. GOOD-BYE, SWEETHEART
VII. ANDRES DE FONSECA
VIII. THE SECOND MEETING
IX. THOMAS BECOMES RICH
X. THE PASSING OF ISABELLA DE SIGUENZA
XI. THE LOSS OF THE CARAK
XII. THOMAS COMES TO SHORE
XIII. THE STONE OF SACRIFICE
XIV. THE SAVING OF GUATEMOC
XV. THE COURT OF MONTEZUMA
XVI. THOMAS BECOMES A GOD
XVII. THE ARISING OF PAPANTZIN
XVIII. THE NAMING OF THE BRIDES
XIX. THE FOUR GODDESSES
XX. OTOMIE'S COUNSEL
XXI. THE KISS OF LOVE
XXII. THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS
XXIII. THOMAS IS MARRIED
XXIV. THE NIGHT OF FEAR
XXV. THE BURYING OF MONTEZUMA'S TREASURE
XXVI. THE CROWNING OF GUATEMOC
XXVII. THE FALL OF TENOCTITLAN
XXVIII. THOMAS IS DOOMED
XXIX. DE GARCIA SPEAKS HIS MIND
XXX. THE ESCAPE
XXXI. OTOMIE PLEADS WITH HER PEOPLE
XXXII. THE END OF GUATEMOC
XXXIII. ISABELLA DE SIGUENZA IS AVENGED
XXXIV. THE SIEGE OF THE CITY OF PINES
XXXV. THE LAST SACRIFICE OF THE WOMEN OF THE OTOMIE