CHAPTER XXVI.
The fifth day subsequent to the one on which Euetzin and Cacami madetheir first visit to Macua, King of Tlacopan, and the one appointed fora second audience with him, had dawned, and the sun was on its upwardcourse.
A number of notables--princes, caciques, and chiefs--had recentlyarrived in Tlacopan, and were being entertained by Macua, at the king'spalace. Much speculation was indulged in by the city's denizens, as towhat they were there for. Their mission, however, was of a secretcharacter, known only to themselves, the king and his advisers, and wasscrupulously guarded by the close-mouthed leaders.
An important council was about to convene, the result of Maxtla'saggressiveness, which proved, in the end, to be a memorable event inthe lives of those who took part in it, and also for those in whoseinterest it was held.
The meeting took place in the audience hall of the king's palace, andthe most prominent person present was the king himself. He was seatedon his throne, arrayed in magnificent attire, and bore himself withkingly dignity, as one after another the gathering warriors advanced tosalute him as the presiding official of the occasion.
On looking over the body of dignified and sober appearing individualsthere assembled, one would have decided at once that it was no ordinarygathering of the king's subjects. Seated on his right was a man whosedress and bearing were significant of royalty; while on his left wasanother equally as notable. Richly caparisoned caciques and warriorswere present, some seated, and others standing about the chamber, allwaiting expectantly for the king to announce the opening of thecouncil.
Macua presently rose to speak, and every eye was fixed upon him withinterested attention. When perfect silence prevailed he said:
"I am pleased to witness the presence here at this time of so manynobles and warriors, who have come to engage in importantdeliberations. I have reason to believe that all of you are inspired bya common thought: that of a mutual defense of our liberties. Thepromptness with which the call has been met presages success in whatshall follow this meeting. As the head of this nation I extend to all acordial welcome to Tlacopan." Turning to a person who was evidently thekeeper of records, he continued: "The names of those who are to sit incouncil with us will now be read, and the person named will rise andacknowledge the same in the usual manner."
As the name was announced the person bearing it rose and made anobeisance. After a number of names were gone over and acknowledged, therecorder called out:
"Euetzin of Tezcuco!" to which no one responded. The tzin had notarrived. At this moment an interruption occurred in consequence of theentrance to the hall of a person who was conducted into the presence ofthe assembly, causing a suspension of the roll call.
The newcomer appeared to be a stranger to all present, for no oneseemed to recognize him. If he was known his identity was not apparent.Advancing before the king he saluted his majesty very profoundly. Macuaacknowledged the courtesy, but gave no sign of recognition.
"You do not remember me, O King, for which omission you are pardonable,since my former appearance before you was in an assumed character.This," he continued, holding up a signet, "may prove a reminder toyou."
"Euetzin of Tezcuco!" exclaimed Macua. "We were looking for a hunter,not a tzin."
"I am the accredited representative of a prince to-day, if your majestypleases," replied Euetzin, with proper dignity.
"You are; and as the King of Tlacopan I greet you as such," returnedMacua, leaving the throne to extend to the tzin an honor seldomconferred except upon a prince.
Euetzin was attired in the costume of a tzin, which changed hisappearance greatly, preventing his recognition by the king. His dresswas of the finest material, but not gaudy; showing a conservatism inhis notions of apparel. In this his second appearance before Macua hefelt that the dignity of his position as the representative ofHualcoyotl demanded that he should be becomingly clothed; heaccordingly came to Tlacopan prepared to abandon the character and garbof a hunter, and appear, temporarily, in his rightful one.
After greeting the tzin the king bade him take a seat with theassembly.
The call of the roll was resumed and completed. It was found that allwere present who were expected to take part in the council. At itsconclusion Macua again arose and said:
"We are assembled here to-day to consider a matter of vital interest toall of us: the matter of a threatened invasion of our territories byMaxtla, 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. Letyour 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, menacedby this Maxtla, of Azcapozalco, whose power is great. The army ofTlacopan, combined with the armies of all the principalities hererepresented, would be as naught before the hosts of his mighty empire.Have you not something to say that will give encouragement? What is inyour mind that has not been revealed to us?"
The king spoke in reply:
"The armies of all the principalities 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. Avoice has come to me from Tezcuco: Tezcuco would be free. Euetzin, arepresentative of that people, is with us to-day. He is here as theenvoy of Hualcoyotl, their prince, who is now a fugitive, unjustlypursued--a man who is beloved of his own, but hated by the monarch wefear. We would join the Tezcucans in a war against Maxtla, if theappearances are favorable to success. We would hear what Euetzin mayhave to offer us."
There was a stir about the chamber at this declaration from Macua, andthe tzin at once became an object of much interest. He arose, at amotion from the king, and, after casting his eyes over the assemblageof 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 herliberty. An army of patriots, though unseen, are now waiting for thesignal to march to victory, death, or a lower degradation. Tezcucowould secure the aid of those who would have the Tepanec usurperoverthrown. Many would make our victory sure. I am here, to-day,seeking coalition." Turning about, he addressed Macua: "Will it pleasethe King to read this paper?" As he concluded, the tzin handed adocument to the king, which proved to be an estimate of the Tezcucanforces, based on their secret enrollment.
When Macua had perused and understood the significance of the contentsof 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 doso much, then, indeed, is there hope. Maxtla might well tremble for hissupremacy, 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 ishere written."
"The wisdom of Macua must direct him. He should understand theimportance 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 theirsilence," returned Macua, proceeding to acquaint the council with thecontents of the document. Its members were no less astonished than wasthe king at the measure of their significance. Macua then said:
"We remember the mild and generous disposition of the late king ofTezcuco, and how deeply our people regretted his fall, and thesubversion of his government. A restoration of that government underthe rule of his son, Prince Hualcoyotl, would give us completesecurity. 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, asthe King of Tlacopan, having confidence in him, am read
y to accept hisstatements as correct, and, with the consent of my advisers, will joinTezcuco in a war against the Tepanec king."
There were a number of high officials present from two states, besidesTlacopan, who were unanimous in their approval of Macua's declaration.It was, therefore, sustained by his chiefs, which led to an agreementof coalition being entered into, and its ratification in theiraccustomed 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 inthe near future, which would afford the Tezcucans a pretense towithdraw from Tezcuco for the purpose of massing. It was also decidedthat envoys should be sent to Azcapozalco, to appear before Maxtla thesame day on which the tourney was to take place, to present to him theultimatum of the allied states, the principal condition of which shouldbe the liberation of Tezcuco, and the enthronement of her prince.
It was further agreed that the army of each state should be under thecommand of its own prince and warriors, the whole to be commanded bythe prince furnishing the greatest number of soldiers. The council thenbroke up, subject to a call from Macua.
There was much to accomplish before the time appointed for holding thetournament, which was to be nothing more nor less than the assemblingof the hosts of the allied states. The secret councils of Tezcucans hadto be notified and instructed, and the arms, which were alreadyprovided for their equipment, transported secretly to the vicinity ofTlacopan. In addition to this, Hualcoyotl was to be brought secretly toTlacopan, for it was expected that he would be placed at the head ofthe army. These preparations would depend largely on the tzin and hiscompanion, and they permitted no time to go by unimproved, butproceeded at once to the consummation of them.
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