CHAPTER XXXIV.
After reaching the woods, and fixing himself as comfortably as hecould, the tzin tried to get some sleep, but could not succeed inwooing to himself the coveted forgetfulness. The signs in his conditionwere not at all favorable; he was feverish, and his wound quitepainful. Hualla showed much concern, and, when it grew light enough tosee, insisted on being permitted to redress his wound. The tzin was notdisposed to allow him to undertake it, fearing he would do him moreharm than good, but, growing rapidly more distressed and restless,finally yielded, and the lad proceeded with the dressing. Euetzin wasagreeably surprised at the handy manner in which it was done. Therelief to him, which followed, was so marked, and the result sosoothing, that he quickly dropped off to sleep. When Hualla saw that heslept, he laid himself on the ground near by, and was soon sleepingsoundly, from a head to foot weariness.
The sun was well up toward the zenith when the lad awoke. He arose andapproached the sleeping tzin, who appeared to be suffering even whileslumbering. His breathing was heavy, and accompanied by a sound verymuch like a moan. After looking at him searchingly for a moment, theyouth turned away with an anxious expression on his face, and went tothe border of the woods to ascertain if the Tepanec army was still onthe plain. Discovering that it was not, he returned to find Euetzinjust waking. On attempting to rise to a sitting posture, the tzin foundthat he could not, and fell back with a groan. Seeing his failure toget up, and the evident suffering the effort caused him, Hualla wentquickly to his side and said:
"Let me help you, tzin."
"No, Hualla, it is not for want of strength, but in consequence ofpain, that I can not rise. I fear your assistance will no longer avail,since I am so sore and stiff."
"I am willing to do anything to serve you, tzin Euet. Can't you adviseme?" questioned the lad, anxiously.
The voice in which these words were spoken was so like something he hadheard before, that Euetzin looked sharply at the speaker. He coulddiscover nothing, however, in his appearance, which would justify thethought inspired by the seemingly familiar sound, and allowed it topass as a possible similarity, or, perhaps, only a freak of theimagination.
"Will you learn if Maxtla's army is still on the plain, Hualla?" hesaid.
"It has gone, tzin Euet. I have only just come from looking."
"Then, Hualla, you must go, at once, to Hualcoyotl for help. I willremain where I am until you return. Please to hasten."
The lad started immediately on his fruitless errand, from which hereturned soon after noon, with the discouraging intelligence that theallies had also gone. Euetzin groaned under the weight of a helplessdiscouragement at the announcement.
"What am I to do, my lad, now that I am helpless?" he said, showingmuch mental distress.
Hualla tried to comfort him, and proposed to go still farther in searchof help. It was the only course left them, under the circumstances.After eating some of the food which he had procured at the desertedcamp, the lad started off in the direction of the lake, hoping to findsomeone there, a fisherman or boatman, who might be induced to come totheir assistance. He was most fortunate, and correspondingly elated, infinding a party of boatmen who had just landed at the beach, with whomhe succeeded in making arrangements for the tzin's conveyance to asmall town, which was situated on the lake, a league or so away.
Having succeeded so well, Hualla was now greatly encouraged at theprospect of soon getting his charge to a place where he could have theimmediate attention of a doctor. One thought, however, gave himconsiderable anxiety; it was of the suffering the wounded tzin would becompelled to undergo while being transferred to the beach. The distancewas more than a mile, and the trip, he feared, would prove verydistressing to him, should it be necessary for the men to carry him ontheir arms. This difficulty was quickly overcome by the boatmen, whosenative cleverness soon put them in possession of a roughly constructedlitter, on which he was borne to the beach with but little trouble, andonly a slight addition of discomfort.
When Euetzin learned that Hualla had found assistance to relieve himfrom his discouraging situation, he could hardly find words strongenough to express his gratitude. His appreciation of the lad's serviceswas hourly growing more and more heartfelt, and he could not but marvelat the exhibition of interest manifested by him for his comfort andsafety. It was, apparently, a phenomenal manifestation of disinterestedkindness.
The tzin bore his distress bravely, and helped, by an occasionalcheerful expression, to relieve the transit of some of itswearisomeness.
When the beach was reached he was carefully borne to a boat, on whichhe was placed, and in due time safely landed at the little Tezcucantown, where suitable quarters were secured for him, and the attentionof a physician obtained, who soon had him feeling quite comfortable.
So soon as it became known that a wounded Tezcucan cacique had escapedfrom Maxtla's army, and found his way to the little town, everybodybecame interested, and nothing was too good with which to provide him.
Hualla received his due in praises for his brave conduct, asrepresented by Euetzin. He, however, did not seem to relish it,receiving it with a good deal of embarrassment.
Proof of the lad's cleverness in the matter of wound dressing had beenfurnished the tzin in two instances, and, by his request, he wasinstalled as his nurse. The youth was provided with an apartment of hisown, from which he was seldom seen except when at the bedside of thetzin.
In less than a day after his arrival at the town, Euetzin became quiteill. The exhaustive efforts which he had made to get away from the campof the enemy, and the unavoidable aggravation and neglect of his wound,were followed by very serious consequences. A fever set in, and, owingto the dangerous character of his injury, a complication was brought onwhich, but for the careful administrations of his two faithful nursesand a vigorous constitution to aid them, might have terminated fatally.
Who was the second nurse? we imagine the reader will wonder. We answer,none other than the good old Itzalmo.
The old preceptor, soon after his flight from Azcapozalco, came to thistown for better security; and, being too old to take part in thestruggle for liberty, had remained there in concealment, waiting theresult. Having no intercourse with the people of the town, he did notlearn of the wounded cacique's arrival until the following day. He had,however, in the meantime learned of the great victory which had beenwon by the allies, and the retreat of Maxtla's army. This emboldenedhim, and he left his seclusion to rejoice with his brethren over thegood news. By doing so he quickly learned of the presence of thewounded chief, and at once decided to make him a visit, thinking hemight, in some way, be of service to him. The old man was not informedas to the tzin's identity, and made his visit from purely humane andpatriotic motives. On presenting himself at his apartments he wasgreatly surprised at discovering in the supposed stranger his youngfriend and pupil, tzin Euet; and as a serious turn in the tzin'scondition was just then evident, he became deeply concerned about him,and immediately gave his whole attention to the case, proving himselfto be a most devoted and skillful attendant. When he fully realized thedangerous condition of his young friend he insisted upon notifying theprince regarding him, to which, for some reason, the tzin objected.
"Wait a few days," said he, "when I will be well enough to go toTezcuco by boat." Thus were his friends kept in ignorance of his escapeand whereabouts. The few days were more than doubled before his consentcould be obtained, because of the unconscious condition into which hesuddenly passed, and in which he remained for several days. A messengerwas finally dispatched with particulars of his situation, thecommunication being signed by Itzalmo, with the simple statement thatthe writer was with him.
Hualla was always at the bedside of the tzin when Itzalmo was not, andappeared anxious and watchful for encouraging signs in the patient'scondition. When a change for the better was at last discovered, he waswonderfully elated for a youngster like him, and especially one who hadso lately entered into the endangered life.
One day
, while the tzin slept, the youthful nurse leaned over the bedto listen to his breathing; possibly to learn if any change had takenplace in the condition of it. Suddenly, as if from an irresistibleimpulse, he pressed a kiss upon the sick man's brow. As he did so theword "Mitla" might have been distinctly heard coming from the sleeper'slips. Hualla drew back quickly, and could his face have been seen inthat moment, the observer would have been astonished at the singularlyhappy expression upon it. The word uttered carried with it arevelation.
As the days went by, Hualla became more devoted to the afflicted tzin,and actions expressive of ardent attachment were of frequent occurrenceon his part.
The patient was rapidly recovering; the nurses, however, had notrelinquished their posts of duty, but continued careful of his everywant. It was in Hualla's watch that we find him quietly dozing, orapparently so, while the young nurse sat in his accustomed place nearthe bed. Presently the latter rose from his seat and approached thebedside, and, as he frequently did, leaned over the sleeper and gazedintently into his face. As he was thus occupied Euetzin suddenly openedhis eyes to encounter an earnest, loving expression, which the watcherwas unconsciously revealing. Only a pair of undisguised eyes were seenby the tzin, in which he beheld, not Hualla, but one with whom he hadat last come to realize he was in love, and, quick as the thought whichimpelled him, he caught the watcher's form, and drew it to him, whilehe exclaimed:
"Mitla, my own true love! How is it that you are here?" and, when hehad said this, imprinted a fervent kiss upon Hualla's lips.
"The assurance that you love me brings a great joy to my heart. I amrepaid for all that I have endured for love's sake. But, Euetzin, youmust not forget that you are ill. Excitement might do you harm,"returned the young nurse in surprising language.
"Such excitement will make me well," replied the tzin. "But, Mitla, youhave not told me how you came to be here," still holding the form inhis close embrace.
"Have you forgotten Hualla?"
"No, no! I have not forgotten Hualla, nor will I ever; but, my deargirl, what has he to do with your presence here?"
"Hualla has everything to do with my presence here; for Hualla andMitla are one and the same, Euetzin," was the answer which fell withsurprising effect upon the tzin's ears. In astonishment he let go hishold of the yielding form, and held it off at arms' length. There wasno mistake; what he had just heard was, indeed, true; for it wascertainly Hualla who stood, smiling and happy, before him. He looked atthe metamorphosed Mitla for a moment, and then, as if suddenlyrealizing the wonderful depth of devotion she had shown for him, hesaid in a voice exhibiting profound emotion:
"Never love more ardent and powerful moved the heart of woman than thatwhich has inspired you to do what you have done! The devotion ofHualla, and the familiar tone of his voice, which has often startledme, are now explained. From the horrors of an awful death the hand ofHualla--your hand, O best beloved of my heart--hath rescued me. What doI not owe you?" He paused, and, drawing Mitla to him, kissed herfondly.
"Let this be my pledge of troth," he said impressively; "my pledge thatshe who has risked and done so much for me shall be my wife."
Mitla's devotion to the man she loved so wildly, and the brave heartwhich had struggled through so great dangers and fatigue for his sake,were rewarded at last, and she made unspeakably happy. Her joy was sogreat that she could have rested indefinitely in his embrace, butItzalmo must not know that Hualla was other than he seemed. Shedisengaged herself from Euetzin's arms, and when the old man came hefound his fellow attendant in his accustomed place, and the patientlooking unusually bright and cheerful.
A Prince of Anahuac: A Histori-traditional Story Antedating the Aztec Empire Page 36