CHAPTER II.
QUETZAL', THE FAIR GOD.
"I was speaking about Quetzal', I believe," said the old man, when allwere fairly on the way. "His real name was Quetzalcoatl.[4] He was awonderfully kind god, who, many ages ago, came into the valley here, anddwelt awhile. The people were then rude and savage; but he taught themagriculture, and other arts, of which you will see signs as we get on.He changed the manners and customs; while he stayed, famine was unknown;the harvests were abundant, and happiness universal. Above all, hetaught the princes wisdom in their government. If to-day the AztecEmpire is the strongest in the world, it is owing to Quetzal'. Where hecame from, or how long he stayed, is not known. The people and theirgovernors after a time proved ungrateful, and banished him; they alsooverthrew his religion, and set up idols again, and sacrificed men, bothof which he had prohibited. Driven away, he went to Cholula; thence tothe sea-coast, where, it is said, he built him a canoe ofserpent-skins, and departed for Tlapallan, a heaven lying somewheretoward the rising sun. But before he went, he promised to return someday, and wrest away the Empire and restore his own religion. Inappearance he was not like our race; his skin was white, his hair longand wavy and black. He is said to have been wise as a god, and morebeautiful than men. Such is his history; and, as the prophecy has it,the time of his return is at hand. The king and Tlalac, the_teotuctli_,[5] are looking for him; they expect him every hour, and,they say, live in continued dread of him. Wishing to propitiate him,they have called the people together, and celebrate to-morrow, withsacrifices and combats and more pomp than was ever seen before, notexcepting the time of the king's coronation."
The hunter listened closely, and at the conclusion said, "Thank you,uncle. Tell me now of the combats."
"Yes. In the days of the first kings it was the custom to go into thetemples, choose the bravest warriors there set apart for sacrifice,bring them into the _tianguez_, and make them do battle in the presenceof the people. If they conquered, they were set free and sent home withpresents."[6]
"With whom did they combat?"
"True enough, my son. The fight was deemed a point of honor amongst theAztecs, and the best of them volunteered. Indeed, those were royaltimes! Of late, I am sorry to say, the custom of which I was speakinghas been neglected, but to-morrow it is to be revived. The scene will bevery grand. The king and all the nobles will be there."
The description excited the listener's fancy, and he said, with flushedcheeks, "I would not lose the chance for the world. Can you tell me whoof the Aztecs will combat?"
"In the city we could easily find out; but you must recollect I am goinghome after a long absence. The shields of the combatants are alwaysexhibited in the _tianguez_ the evening before the day of the fight. Inthat way the public are notified beforehand of those who take the field.As the city is full of caciques, you may be assured our champions willbe noble."
"Thank you again, uncle. And now, as one looking for service, likemyself, is anxious to know with whom to engage, tell me of the caciquesand chiefs."
"Then you intend entering the army?"
"Well, yes. I am tired of hunting; and though trading is honorable, Ihave no taste for it."
The merchant, as if deliberating, took out a box of snuff and helpedhimself; and then he replied,--
"The caciques are very numerous; in no former reign, probably, werethere so many of ability and renown. With some of them I have personalacquaintance; others I know only by sight or reputation. You had bettermention those of whom you have been thinking."
"Well," said the hunter, "there is Iztlil', the Tezcucan."[7]
"Do not think of him, I pray you!" And the good man spoke earnestly. "Heis brave as any, and perhaps as skilful, but proud, haughty, soured, andtreacherous. Everybody fears him. I suppose you have heard of hisfather."
"You mean the wise 'Hualpilli?"
"Yes. Upon his death, not long since, Iztlil' denied his brother's rightto the Tezcucan throne. There was a quarrel which would have ended inblood, had not Montezuma interfered, and given the city to Cacama, andall the northern part of the province to Iztlil'. Since that, the latterhas been discontented with the great king. So, I say again, do not thinkof him, unless you are careless about honor."
"Then what of Cacama?[8] Tezcuco is a goodly city."
"He has courage, but is too effeminate to be a great warrior. A gardenand a soft couch delight him more than camps, and dancing women betterthan fighting men. You might grow rich with him, but not renowned. Lookelsewhere."
"Then there is the lord Cuitlahua."[9]
"The king's brother, and governor of Iztapalapan!" said the merchant,promptly. "Some have thought him better qualified for Chapultepec thanMontezuma, but it is not wise to say so. His people are prosperous, andhe has the most beautiful gardens in the world; unlike Cacama, he caresnothing for them, when there is a field to be fought. Considering hisinfluence at court and his love of war, you would do well to bear shieldfor him; but, on the other hand, he is old. Were I in your place, myson, I would attach myself to some young man."
"That brings me to Maxtla, the Tesoyucan."
"I know him only by repute. With scarcely a beard, he is chief of theking's guard. There was never anything like his fortune. Listen now, Iwill tell you a secret which may be of value to you some time. The kingis not as young as he used to be by quite forty summers."
The hunter smiled at the caution with which the old man spoke of themonarch.
"You see," the speaker continued, "time and palace life have changedhim: he no longer leads the armies; his days are passed in the templeswith the priests, or in the gardens with his women, of whom there areseveral hundreds; his most active amusement now is to cross the lake tohis forests, and kill birds and rabbits by blowing little arrows at themthrough a reed. Thus changed, you can very well understand how he can beamused by songs and wit, and make favorites of those who best lightenhis hours of satiety and indolence. In that way Maxtla rose,--amarvellous courtier, but a very common soldier."
The description amused the young man, but he said gravely, "You havespoken wisely, uncle, and I am satisfied you know the men well. Really,I had no intention of entering the suite of either of them: they are notof my ideal; but there is a cacique, if reports are to be credited,beyond all exception,--learned and brave, honored alike by high andlow."
"Ah! you need not name him to me. I know him, as who does not?" And nowthe merchant spoke warmly. "A nobler than Guatamozin,[10]--or, as he ismore commonly called, the 'tzin Guatamo--never dwelt in Anahuac. He isthe people's friend, and the Empire's hope. His valor and wisdom,--ah,you should see him, my son! Such a face! His manner is so full of sweetdignity! But I will give you other evidence."
He clapped his hands three times, and a soldier sprang forward at thesignal.
"Do you know the 'tzin Guatamo?" asked the merchant.
"I am an humble soldier, my master, and the 'tzin is the great king'snephew; but I know him. When he was only a boy, I served under him inTlascala. He is the best chief in Anahuac."
"That will do."
The man retired.
"So I might call up my _tamanes_," the merchant resumed, "and not onebut would speak of him in the same way."
"Strange!" said the Tihuancan, in a low tone.
"No; if you allude to his popularity, it is not strange: if you mean theman himself, you are right. The gods seldom give the qualities thatbelong to him. He is more learned than Tlalac or the king; he isgenerous as becomes a prince; in action he is a hero. You have probablyheard of the Tlascalan wall in the eastern valley;[11] few warriors everpassed it and lived; yet he did so when almost a boy. I myself haveseen him send an arrow to the heart of an eagle in its flight. He has apalace and garden in Iztapalapan; in one of the halls stand the figuresof three kings, two of Michuaca, and one of the Ottomies. He took themprisoners in battle, and now they hold torches at his feasts."
"Enough, enough!" cried the hunter. "I have
been dreaming of him whileamong the hills. I want no better leader."
The merchant cast an admiring glance at his beaming countenance, andsaid, "You are right; enter his service."
In such manner the conversation was continued, until the sun fastdeclined towards the western mountains. Meantime, they had passedthrough several hamlets and considerable towns. In nearly the wholeprogress, the way on either hand had been lined with plantations.Besides the presence of a busy, thriving population, they everywhere sawevidences of a cultivation and science, constituting the realsuperiority of the Aztecs over their neighbors. The country was thuspreparing the stranger for the city, unrivalled in splendor and beauty.Casting a look toward the sun, he at length said, "Uncle, I have much tothank you for,--you and your friends. But it is growing late, and I musthurry on, if I would see the _tianguez_ before the market closes."
"Very well," returned the old trader. "We will be in the city to-morrow.The gods go with you!"
Whistling to his ocelot, the adventurer quickened his pace, and was soonfar in the advance.
FOOTNOTES:
[4] In Aztec mythology, God of the Air.
[5] Equivalent to Pontiff or Pope.
[6] Sahagun, Hist. de Nueva Esp.
[7] Ixtlilxochitl, son of Nezahualpilli, king of Tezcuco.
[8] King of Tezcuco.
[9] See Prescott's Conq. of Mexico.
[10] Guatamozin, nephew to Montezuma. Of him Bernal Diaz says: "This monarch was between twenty-three and twenty-four years of age, and could in all truth be called a handsome man, both as regards his countenance and figure. His face was rather of an elongated form, with a cheerful look; his eye had great expression, both when he assumed a majestic expression, or when he looked pleasantly around; the color of his face inclined to white more than to the copper-brown tint of the Indians in general."--DIAZ, _Conquest of Mexico_, Lockhart's Trans., Vol. IV., p. 110.
[11] Prescott's Conq. of Mexico, Vol. I., p. 417.