CHAPTER XXVII.
Euetzin and his fellow conspirators found the time very brief forcompleting their preparations for the massing of the insurgent army ofTezcuco on the day appointed. The work was attended with so muchsecrecy that it had to be carried on in a very quiet manner, keepingthem constantly on the alert. This being the case, the tzin and Cacamiwere kept continually employed, with not a moment of time to spare inwhich to visit their homes. However, just before starting for themountains, to escort Hualcoyotl into Tlacopan, they took time to go andsay 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 withprovisions and other supplies for the armies.
A commendable feature in the economy and foresight of the Aztecs--andno less that of the other nations of Anahuac, for what may be said ofone will apply to all--was the establishment of great granaries, orstore-houses, where supplies were garnered up to meet futureexigencies. This was accomplished by tribute from the agriculturaldistricts of the province.
The time appointed for holding the tournament was at hand, and Tlacopanwas gorgeously attired for the occasion. The day was propitious, andthe city was filled to overflowing with people, who had come from farand near to witness the achievements of the contestants.
The number of foreigners present was unprecedented. The primal cause ofthis unusual spectacle will be apparent to the reader.
The hour for the tourney to open had arrived, and an immense throng ofpeople was assembled on the city's market-place, where it was thoughtbest to hold the meeting, in view of the expected crowd. The _tianguez_was a great square, inwalled by buildings, store-houses, etc., and madeto accommodate anywhere from twenty-five to fifty thousand people. Muchof its space, on this day, was protected by coverings, cotton awnings,canopies, etc., and was arranged to seat a multitude.
Tournaments were not an uncommon occurrence among the nations ofAnahuac, and the people were encouraged to participate in them byawards of merit--jewels, medals, decorations, etc., which were bestowedupon the successful contestants. Every ruler of any importance wasprovided with a suitable place in which to hold the contests, usually agreat inclosed court attached to the king's palace, but which, on thisoccasion, was not adequate to the demands.
In many instances, among the more barbarous nations, the tourney of theAztecs was not less bloody than those of the ancients of Pompeii andRome, resulting purposely in the death of one or more of thecontestants.
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 beespecial features of the approaching tourney, which were open to allcomers.
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 throngbecame hushed. The signal for the contestants to appear was sounded,and a score or more of athletic warriors leaped into the arena. Theywere clothed in their military tunic, which covered the body andthighs. About the head was a band surmounted with featherwork.Ornaments and decorations of different kinds, denoting formervictories, were worn by a number of them. A buckler, or shield, wascarried by each one as a protection against the arrows of an opponent.
There were two points of excellence considered in this contest: theaccuracy with which the arrow was dispatched, and the dexterity withwhich it was caught upon the shield.
The contest was opened by two of the warriors taking positions oppositeand facing each other, at a fixed distance apart. The assembledmultitude became instantly stilled, and all eyes were centered uponthem. The bows of the opposing bowmen were deliberately brought toposition, and at a given signal two arrows sped across the space whichseparated them, and which were neatly stopped by the respectiveshields. The effect upon the audience was electrical; a shout ofapproval went up for the splendid exhibition of skill manifested by thecontestants. The opponents, in this instance, were of Tlacopan andTenochtitlan. After three trials the score was recorded in favor of thelatter.
Another two advanced to position, and a record was made. Thus thecontest proceeded to the fifth entry, when a Tepanec and Tezcucan stoodopposed. Two trials were successfully achieved, but at the third thearrow of the Tezcucan clipped a piece from the ear of the Tepanec,carrying away the ring which adorned it. A prolonged shout ofexultation from the Tezcucans present followed the discovery of theresult of the shot.
The wounded contestant was a warrior of note in his own country, whichwas evidenced by the number of decorations he wore. He was greatlychagrined and angered at his mishap, and retired from the arena withbitterness in his heart, and a vengeful scowl upon his face. He wasstoutly built, and would prove a dangerous adversary in a contest ofstrength.
The first of the series of contests was conducted to a finish, and thesecond was called, which was to be a contest in target shooting, towhich none but women were admitted.
When the signal for their entrance was given, an array of beauty, inperson and dress seldom witnessed, glided upon the scene. There wereprincesses, the wives and daughters of caciques and chiefs, and otherswith no royal blood to give them prestige--a double score.
We will not pause to describe the costumes--suffice it to say that themajority of them were gorgeous in the extreme, with elaborately wroughttrimmings 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, wasplaced, and the contest opened.
The order of succession had been determined, and the first archerstepped to the front, receiving, as she did so, a good round ofapplause. After a moment's deliberation the arrow from her bow was senton its harmless mission. It was well directed, but did not cut thetarget. She moved to one side, and another took her place.
"Look!" exclaimed a spectator to an associate as the second archerstepped into position. "By the bearded Quetzal, there's a beauty foryou! Superb, isn't she?" The contestant was a stranger to that vastthrong, but, had the reader of our story been present, a glance wouldhave sufficed to reveal who it was; for it was none other than Mitla,the "Mountain Princess," who, through the persuasion of the tzin, hadconsented to enter the contest. After taking position she paused torecover her composure, giving the spectators time to note her admirablephysique. A buzz of admiration was heard to pass through the greataudience, and then as her bow was deliberately raised to shoot, allbecame silent! The silence was breathless--almost oppressive--while thevast crowd awaited the result of her shot. A snap was heard to breakthe stillness, followed by a sudden shadowy streak, which touched thetarget and disappeared; but the substance of it, the arrow from Mitla'sbow, was left buried directly in the center of the heart. When thesplendid feat of archery she had accomplished was realized, it wasgreeted with the wildest demonstrations of delight, accompanied by ashower of flowers, which fell in profusion about her. She had won theheart of the multitude by her superb, native presence, and unexcelledexhibition 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 ofrecognition and applause. Coming, as these demonstrations did, fromMacua's place on the _tianguez_, they were regarded by those whoobserved them as highly significant, fixing upon her the prestige ofroyal 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 competitors, but to nopurpose. Her unerring accuracy could not be excelled, and at the closeof the contest, amid shouts and acclamations of satisfaction, she wasdeclared the winner.
The victorious girl was conducted before King Macua, who presented toher the prize she had won--a beautiful necklace of gold and
gems, whichwas clasped about her throat by the hand of Euetzin, who was of theking's party. It was a superlatively happy moment to the beautifulmountain girl, and her eyes were effervescing with love's softest lightas they rested on him whom, unknown to all save herself, she almostworshiped.
Mitla at once became an object of royal favor, and was escorted ontoMacua's platform, and given a place with the king's elect.
A tilt with javelins was the next thing in order. This was in thenature of a challenge contest; a very dangerous one for theparticipants, and exciting to the beholders.
A challenge to engage in a tilt, or contest, was always in order, andusually proved to be the most popular and exciting feature of thetourney.
The signal for the bout to commence was hardly sounded before theTepanec warrior who had been wounded in the bowmen's contest was in thearena. His challenge was directed to the Tezcucan who had inflictedhumiliation upon him. His appearance and actions showed that his objectwas to have revenge for the disgrace which the peculiar wound he hadreceived in the bowmen's contest would fasten upon him.
The challenge was accepted, and the two warriors stood face to face,awaiting the moment of action; hatred depicted on the countenance ofone, the other calm and defiant. They were each equipped with javelinand heavy buckler, and clothed about the body and thighs with a thickcotton tunic--the arms and lower limbs being entirely free fromcovering. They were without the customary headgear--a band only beingworn to confine the long, coarse, black hair.
The instructions to the opposing warriors were to advance rapidly to agiven point, and throw their weapons to kill--injury or death beingavoided by dodging or catching the javelin on the buckler.
The great crowd was again hushed. The signals were given, and the rushof the opponents quickly followed. A whiz and crash were heard, and theTezcucan was almost thrown from his feet by the force of the Tepanec'sjavelin, which he had succeeded in catching on his buckler. Heimmediately recovered himself, and faced his opponent, who, havingdodged his adversary's weapon, stood fiercely watching the effect ofhis throw.
The advantage gained by the Tepanec over the Tezcucan, in the tilt, wasnot hailed with any degree of enthusiasm. There were too many friendsof the latter, and others, present, in whose hearts burned thebitterest national hatred--a hatred for grievances inflicted--for whichevery Tepanec, no matter what his position, high or low, was heldresponsible.
It was evident that the Tepanec was the superior adversary, and he knewit. He was not satisfied with the result of the bout, and a secondtrial was demanded. Rather than be branded a coward, the Tezcucangranted it, but, in doing so, realized that he was no match for hisenemy, and could hardly expect to come out of the contest with a wholeskin, if he did not lose his life.
The lancers took their respective positions for a second trial. Thesignals were given, and they advanced quickly to the throwing point. Acutting of the air was heard, followed by a crash of javelins andshields, and the Tezcucan was knocked from his feet to the earth, wherehe lay powerless to rise, his buckler having been torn from his hand,and the weapon of his opponent buried in his body.
The Tepanec warrior, now insane with rage, rushed upon his fallen foe,with the evident intention of dispatching him.
Savage as they were, the Anahuacans had a profound sense of fair play.When the purpose of the crazed contestant was fully comprehended, thespectators, as by a single impulse, jumped to their feet, and a shoutof derision went up from them for his wicked and unmanly design. Thetime was brief, but not too brief for an avenging hand to come betweenthe would-be murderer and his fallen adversary. While all eyes werebent upon the insane victor, with no other thought but that he wouldaccomplish his revengeful purpose, a hunter leaped into the arena, and,before the mad deed was consummated, a javelin was sent flying throughthe air, which struck the warrior in the neck, felling him, a lifelessheap, at the side of the prostrate Tezcucan.
The excitement was now intense. The dead Tepanec and his severelywounded adversary were forgotten for the moment by the excitedaudience, whose attention became centered on the hunter. This man,whose hand had sent the messenger of death, which so materiallyaffected the aspect of the tragedy, suddenly became an object ofspeculation and the hero of the hour.
The king commanded that the slayer of the insane warrior be broughtinto his presence. When he appeared, in obedience to the command, greatwas the surprise and pleasure of Macua, and those with him, to see inthe expert lancer the tzin's companion, Cacami.
The king said:
"We would honor the man who can throw a javelin so true, and at such atime; especially do we take pleasure in honoring Cacami. Wear this," hecontinued, placing upon Cacami's breast a decoration which carried withit honorable preferment, "as a mark of distinction, and also as amemorial of the valorous deed you have this day performed in behalf ofa fallen man."
A shout of approbation ascended from the assembled throng, while thetzin warmly embraced his comrade and friend.
Cacami was a spectator only, not having determined to take part in thetournament, because of his engagements, especially on account of hisrecent journey to the mountains to assist in bringing the prince to thecity. He was greatly interested in the tourney, however; particularlyso in the tilt with javelins, and excitement might have led him toenter the contest had the first bout not ended as it did. No eye inthat immense throng took in the situation as promptly as did his; and,instantly comprehending the purpose of the maddened warrior, he did notstop to think twice, but sprang to the defense of his fellow Tezcucan,which resulted, as we have seen, in his killing the vicious Tepanec.
When quiet was restored and the arena cleared, the tourney wasconducted to a finish, and the great throng gradually melted away, mostof it, however, to reassemble in a different capacity and place outsideof Tlacopan.
A Prince of Anahuac: A Histori-traditional Story Antedating the Aztec Empire Page 29