"Zelmonco is very lonesome, mother. How rarely does anything come to
disturb the sameness of our lives. No change from day to day: only the
voice of Nature, in the songs of birds and the murmur of the leaves, is
heard; and, much as I love these sounds, they make me sad."
These words were addressed by a young girl to an elderly appearing
woman a short distance off, who was at the moment giving attention to a
beautiful cluster of blooming rosebushes.
"Yes, the villa does seem lonesome; still we have each other, my child,
which is much to be thankful for," was answered.
"True, mother; but that does not relieve the quietude of our home. I
wish that Euet would come. He remains from us longer this time than
usual. Do you think we may expect him soon?"
"Euet does, indeed, stay from home longer than usual, but is no doubt
detained. Still, I hope he will be here before the day is gone,"
replied the elderly woman.
The persons engaged thus in conversation were in the open air,
strolling leisurely about, rearranging a disturbed bush or vine,
plucking a flower here and a twig there, and drinking in the sweet
perfumes rising from the odoriferous flowers and shrubs which met them
at every turn. They were the mother and sister of Euetzin, the friend
and companion of Prince Hualcoyotl, who were out for an hour's stroll
in the beautiful grounds fronting their villa home--a place very dear
to them for the sacred memories which clung around it; memories of
other and happier days, when home associations and ties were unbroken
and complete.
Euzelmozin, the husband and father, as we have stated previously,
perished with his king on the battle field, where Tezcucan liberty went
down under the bloody hand of a cruel victor. He left them a beautiful
home, however, with gold and other wealth sufficient to make them
independent.
By paying promptly the required tribute to the Tepanec king they were
permitted to live undisturbed in their isolation.
The mother, whose name was Teochma, had passed middle life. She still
possessed a vigorous womanhood, and showed her age in the hair only,
which was freely sprinkled over with gray.
Itlza, the daughter, was fair and of medium size. About nineteen years
had marked her young life, but, being a child of a sunny clime, she
appeared older. She was not beautiful, yet upon her face there was a
sweet, confiding look, which attracted and charmed the beholder,
impressing his or her mind with a pleasing sense of acquaintanceship.
The light of geniality beamed upon her countenance, and a spirit of
mirthfulness sparkled up from the depths of two bright, laughing eyes.
A pair of carmine-tinted lips, as delicately colored as the lovely rose
she was carelessly twirling between her thumb and finger, backed by two
perfect rows of pearly teeth, adorned a pretty, tempting mouth, which
completed the charm and brightness of an otherwise plain face.
They were dressed becomingly in the manner of their people. The
character of their dress was not greatly dissimilar to that worn by the
women of other Indian nations, except in its completeness. Among the
higher classes of native Mexican women the costume was usually gorgeous
in gay colors, and adorned with trimmings of gold and featherwork.
The mother and sister of tzin Euet were the wife and daughter of a
fallen Tezcucan noble; and, though robbed of the title of nobility,
still endeavored to sustain, in their manner of living, the dignity of
their former rank.
Zelmonco villa, the home of the family, was situated on an eminence,
about two leagues from Tezcuco, and commanded a fine view of the
adjacent country and the city in the distance. Euetzin was in the habit
of visiting it often, to enjoy, for a brief season, the society of his
loved and honored mother and very dear sister.
It becomes necessary at this point for us to return to the time of
parting between the tzin and prince, which occurred some hours earlier
than the incident which opens this chapter.
On withdrawing from Hualcoyotl's apartment, Euetzin made a hasty
preparation to leave the city. His first object was to pay a hurried
visit to his mother and sister, and then go forward in the performance
of his mission. When the necessary preparations for his departure were
completed, he left the palace, going out through the court onto a
thoroughfare, which he followed for some distance. On reaching the
outskirts of the city he took a southeasterly course and walked briskly
in the direction of his home. He had about six miles to go, but thought
nothing of it. The Aztec mode of traveling was almost entirely
pedestrial; in fact, none but the wealthy and the nobility traveled in
any other way. The palanquin, a kind of chair, borne by slaves or hired
servants, was their only conveyance--burden-bearing animals being
unknown on the Anahuac previous to the advent of the conquerors. The
men were, as a consequence, trained pedestrians from necessity and
habit.
As Euetzin neared the villa, the anxiety to see his loved ones grew
upon him, and his movement became proportionately quicker. He had to
pass up through the park to reach the house; and, anticipating he would
find his mother and sister strolling there, carefully guarded his
approach from observation, hoping to give them a sudden and pleasant
surprise.
The words addressed to his mother by Itlza, and the replies were
distinctly heard by the tzin as he drew near.
Itlza continued to address her mother:
"Do you think, mother, that the old king's death will effect the prince
in his retirement?" she asked.
"Maxtla will be king; evil is in Maxtla's heart--the prince must
beware," replied the mother.
"Why does Hualcoyotl remain so passively a prisoner in his own palace?
Is he a slave that he endures his restraint without an effort to obtain
his freedom?" questioned Itlza, with much warmth.
"I know of but one way by which he might gain his freedom, my child;
and that is too terrible to think about."
"You allude to a revolt, mother?"
"Yes, it was that I had in mind; and yet, though it would bring sorrow
to many hearts, and possibly to ours, I could not say my people nay
should they attempt it, for they are but slaves to the Tepanec king,"
replied the mother, in accents of sadness.
"You speak truly, mother; for Euet would--" Itlza's half-formed
sentence was here suddenly broken off. She was seized from behind and
held firmly for a moment, while a hand was placed over her mouth. When
she was released, she turned quickly to learn who her assailant was,
and met the laughing face of her brother, who saluted her in a most
loving manner and completed her unfinished sentence by saying:
"Euet would that you drop so unpleasant a subject--there is only
sadness in it."
"A bad brother is Euet, to give his sister such a fright!" exclaimed
she, pleasantly.
The tzin answered her badinage with a closer embrace; and, releasing
her, saluted his mother in an affectionate manner, who said:
"Euet, my son, you are most welcome after so protracted an absence.
Your sister and myself were beginning to wonder at your remaining away
so long, and would in a little while have become uneasy about you."
"My mother and sister are very good to remember me so kindly, but they
should not forget that Euet is no longer a boy. A man's
responsibilities are now his, and he has duties to perform which
sometimes interfere very much with his plans for gratifying the
cravings of his heart. I am not forgetful of the filial obligations
which bind me with golden chords of love to my estimable mother and
sweet sister; yet there are times, in the press of worldlier things,
when even these most precious of all obligations are neglected."
"You are right, my son; a mother's love is selfish. I had not
considered well--but you are tired and need refreshment. Let us go in."
As they moved toward the house the conversation was continued. The
mother presently inquired:
"How fares the good prince?"
"The prince is well, though somewhat dejected at the turn affairs have
taken since the old king's death, of which you have already heard,"
answered the tzin.
"Yes, the news of his death has spread quickly. Your allusion to it
prompts me to inquire about his successor. Maxtla has ascended the
throne, I suppose, and now rules in his father's stead?" inquiringly
returned the mother.
"Maxtla is king," replied Euet; "and even now may be laying plans for
the destruction of the prince."
The faces of the mother and daughter quickly took on an expression of
anxiety.
Hualcoyotl had spent many of his boyhood hours at the home of his
friend Euet, which had resulted in his holding a warm place in the
heart of each member of the family. Itlza and her mother had not seen
him for a number of years, yet in Euetzin was found a link which bound
them still to their young friend of other and more auspicious times.
"What are we to understand by those ominous words, my son?" inquired
the mother in anxious tones.
"Good mother, I will explain, but not now. My walk has made me
ravenous, and I do not intend that even your anxiety for the prince
shall deprive me of my supper," replied he, playfully.
"How thoughtless of me to forget for a moment that you are hungry,"
returned she, with maternal concern. "Itlza, see that refreshments are
served immediately; and now, my son, you must pardon your mother for
her negligence."
"Thank my mother for her goodness, rather, in being thoughtful of my
friend," replied the tzin, imprinting a filial kiss upon her brow.
This act and the accompanying words were in a vein of affectionate
mirthfulness which brought the mother's heart into her eyes, and she
could only look her gratitude. The tzin led her to the board where
refreshments were served, and mother and daughter were soon partaking
of a spirit of cheerfulness which his presence imparted....
The day was nearly spent; approaching night was beginning to cast her
shadows over the earth, and her dusky mantle would soon envelope all.
The family were seated in the spacious drawing-room of their home.
Euetzin was relating the particulars of the prince's experience at the
palace of the king, and his mother and sister were listening with the
most intense interest to his recital. When he told of the prince's
determination to prepare for resistance, and that he, the tzin, was
then on his way to engage in inciting it, the mother could keep silent
no longer, but cried out in anguish of heart:
"Oh, my son, can it be that my fears are to be realized so soon, and
must we indeed lose you?"
"Be calm, good mother; do not make my duties heavier by inflicting
greater sadness upon my heart. You would not counsel your boy to shrink
from the call which must come, sooner or later, to every true son of
Tezcuco? The prince has seen fit to send me as his representative among
the people, and has charged me with a great and responsible duty. Shall
the son of Euzelmozin cowardly shirk it, or shall he, like his lamented
father, be fearless in the face of danger? What greater danger, O
Teochma, my mother, could arise than that which now threatens the
destruction of our prince, and a lower degradation for our deeply
wronged country?"
"Forgive me, my son, if I showed in my words a feeling of resentment to
the fates that would rob me of my boy. You know your mother too well to
believe that she would for a moment counsel you contrary to the
dictates of patriotism. No, Euet; though my heart may bleed for the
sorrow it will feel, yet would I say, go to your duty, perform it to
the best of your ability, and prove yourself a worthy son of Zelmozin
and Tezcuco."
"Thanks, my noble mother; with your approval, so patriotically
expressed, I will go out into the midst of dangers, fearing only to do
wrong."
* * * * *
When the morning came the tzin was gone, and the unwonted stillness of
the villa told of saddened hearts within.