Tenochtitlan, later the city of Mexico, was founded by the primitive
Mexicans (Aztecs), early in the fourteenth century, about two hundred
years prior to the advent of the Spaniards on the Anahuac. The city was
situated, originally, on a group of small islands in the southwestern
portion of lake Tezcuco, nearly one league from the shore, and was, for
more than a century, a very frail and peculiarly constructed place. Its
houses were built chiefly of wood, reeds, and rushes, with the
exception, perhaps, of the principal structures and _teacollis_
(temples), which were, doubtless, of sun-dried blocks of clay. Many of
the houses, for want of space, were built over the water, supported by
driven piles, upright posts, and were approachable in many instances
only by canoe. A canoe was therefore an indispensable possession to an
inhabitant of the island city.
The absence of stone in the construction of buildings in the first
century of the city's existence was, no doubt, attributable to the fact
that it was reached by canoe, only, previous to the construction of
causeways; after which followed a rapid transformation in its
composition and appearance, until, at the time of the conquest, it had
become a wonderful city of stone palaces and temples, with grand
squares and broad avenues.
Notwithstanding Tenochtitlan, at the time of which we write, was
greatly inferior in its construction to the other large cities of the
valley, it was a veritable beehive in the animation and density of its
population.
It was the capital of a fierce and aggressive people, who were not only
brave, but cunning, in their aggression, which led to their complete
supremacy under the last Montezuma.
The question as to why the Aztecs chose so inconvenient a location on
which to build their capital will naturally present itself to the mind
of the reader. We have only space to say the idea was of miraculous
origin, the result of a priestly superstition.[8]
[8] NOTE.--See Hale's Mexico.
There was a feeling of deep respect for the rights of nations
maintained among the Anahuacans, and any violation of them engendered a
general hostility toward the violator.
Sympathy hardly ever led a tribe to take sides between other tribes at
war. Only when the grievances were common did they unite their forces.
The Mexicans were decidedly friendly to the cause of the Tezcucans in
their war with the Tepanecs, and yet stood aloof and saw them humbled
in the very dust. Their sympathies were still with them in their
degradation.
In consequence of this friendly feeling, many Tezcucans were to be
found in their capital and territory; some of whom had withdrawn from
Tezcuco for the betterment of their condition; others because of their
hatred for the nation which had subverted their government and
subjected them to an onerous and hateful vassalage.
Old warriors, who preferred voluntary exile to servility; merchants and
traders, who thought to find a better field in which to ply their
vocations, and nobles, whose titles, since the death of their king and
the subversion of his government, were only nominal, were to be found
among them--all living and waiting in the hope of a restoration of
their kingdom.
The determined efforts of King Maxtla to destroy Prince Hualcoyotl had
not improved the former's standing in the Mexican capital, but, on the
other hand, had produced just the opposite effect. The Tezcucans were
outspoken in their denunciation of him and his government, and nothing
was said or done to check them.
Euetzin had discovered this antagonistic feeling among his countrymen,
and was now abroad to take advantage of it. His first effective work,
after leaving home the second time, was done in the Mexican capital,
among them.
Situated on the city's market place was an expansive structure, which
was one story in height--their buildings were very seldom higher. The
building referred to was used principally as a store-house for unsold
marketable products, and was divided up into suitable apartments--rooms
and booths. In one of the rooms, fronting on the _tianguez_, was a
cafe, or restaurant, kept by a Tezcucan. A part of the room--the back
portion--was cut off from the front by means of a curtain, for the
convenience of parties desiring to be served privately. There was a
door opening from this part of the room into a hallway, which extended
back the full length of the building. Some distance back, at the side
of this hallway, three or four steps were situated, which led downward
to a very short hall, from which an entrance was to be had to an
apartment in which meetings, often of a secret character, were held.
It was night. The streets and squares of the city were almost deserted.
At this hour an unusual influx to the Tezcucan's cafe was taking place.
Men were seen to pass in, at brief intervals, and disappear. Presently,
two young men entered, and one of them addressing the proprietor, said:
"We are seeking friends."
"Where from?" he inquired.
"Tezcuco," was the brief reply.
"The way is clear; pass in."
Nothing further was said. The party passed back and out into the
hallway, along which they went to the steps previously referred to.
Here they paused a moment, in a listening attitude. Hearing nothing of
a disturbing character, they descended. A few steps brought them to a
door, before which they stopped and gave one rap. The following
response was elicited:
"What seek ye?"
"Our own," replied the same person who had addressed the keeper of the
cafe. The door was opened, and they entered. Passing on to another
door, two raps were given, and a voice from within inquired:
"What have you to offer in pledge?"
"That which, if taken, can not be restored: life," answered one of the
seekers for admission.
"It is a royal offering. Enter." The door was opened, and the young men
were admitted. For a moment, while the door was again closed, they
stood in black darkness; then a curtain was drawn to one side,
discovering to them a low, dingy, dimly lighted chamber. Men, old and
young, who had entered in the same guarded manner as they, were seated
about the room. The newcomers were told to pass in, which they did, and
were seated like those who had preceded them.
Perfect silence prevailed while the chamber was filling up. Upon each
man's face was a stern and determined look. Not a sign of recognition
passed between them. It was an assembly of people whose taciturnity was
always pronounced under circumstances of an impressive character.
When the proper time arrived, a man of middle age and commanding
presence arose and addressed the meeting. He was evidently a prominent
Tezcucan. He said:
"The hour has come when the ear should be open to catch the sound, and
the tongue silent that it may not escape. Euetzin, son of the noble
Euzelmozin, is here. He bears a message from his brother Tezcucan."
Turning to the foremost of the two young men with whom we entered, he
continued: "Let Euetzin speak. The men of his tribe have ears, and they
are open."
Euetzin it was, sure enough, who now arose to address the assembly.
Amid the profoundest silence, he began, using a metaphorical
expression, speaking in a very impressive manner:
"The lion hath made his spring, but the prey he sought was the cunning
fox. The fox escaped, and the lion is full of wrath." He paused a
moment, and then continued, changing his manner of speech: "Men of
Tezcucan blood--you who love and revere the memory of a noble though
fallen king, and a country once proud and happy--give ear. I am here,"
he went on, "to arouse you from the lethargy of a hopeless
indifference, and to assure you, as I believe, that Tezcuco may yet be
free. Though our prince is a fugitive, outlawed, with a price placed
upon his life; the land which gave us birth trodden under the heel of a
usurping tyrant, and our people made subject to a shameful vassalage;
yet there still lives in the hearts of these people a patriotic love of
country, which, if stirred, will break asunder the shackles which bind
them, and bid defiance to the authors of their degradation." The tzin
spoke with remarkable force, and was listened to with the profoundest
attention. "Are we men, or are we only slaves," he vociferated, "that
we shake not off the spell which binds us hand and foot, and holds the
tongue till it speaks not? Awake, ye men of Tezcuco, awake! and let
your ears be open; for the voice of your prince cries from the mountain
fastnesses for help. Shall it be a vain cry, or shall it find a quick
response in the hearts of his people and a speedy resistance to his
despotic persecutor? If you are true to the memory of our good king,
who was slain for naught but conquest, then put forth a hand and let us
raise high the standard he loved: the standard of our own Tezcuco, and
pause not until her loyal sons everywhere are enrolled under it, and
the usurper has been driven by our patriotic legions beyond her
borders.
"He who will join me in the glorious work of redeeming Tezcuco from
dishonor and a hated vassalage rise, and, with his hand over his heart,
repeat after me the obligation which shall pledge us, arm and life, to
the cause of our country and prince."
Every man in the chamber quickly stood up and was heard to repeat, in
deep and solemn tones, the following, to them, awful obligation:
"Tezcuco, my own once illustrious, but now degraded Tezcuco! my life,
and all I have, I pledge and obligate to thee in defense of thy prince,
his cause and people! I swear it, and, failing in my duty, may my blood
run red on the altar of Huitzil,[9] whose aid I now invoke!" A moment
of impressive silence followed, and the men resumed their seats.
Euetzin continued:
[9] NOTE.--The Aztec god of war.
"In this hour, life and motion have been infused into the cause of
Tezcuco, which many have looked upon as lost. We have each, by our
obligation, made ourselves the active moving element in its sudden
resuscitation. What shall be the outcome? What shall be the end of this
altogether splendid beginning? Be this our unqualified answer: Tezcuco
shall be free!"
The assembly was thoroughly aroused, and during a moment's pause in the
tzin's speech a spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm took place. "Tezcuco
shall be free!" was the reiterated acclaim which resounded through the
chamber. When quiet was restored the tzin went on:
"And now, since we are pledged, let us, every man, be up and doing. Let
no loyal Tezcucan be overlooked. Move silently and quickly, ceasing not
the work until the fire of patriotism, which has been enkindled in our
hearts to-night, shall have spread to the farthest borders of Anahuac,
and every true friend of Tezcuco has espoused her cause, and enrolled
himself under the banner of Hualcoyotl and liberty. Let not your ears
be closed, for the call will surely come which will claim the
fulfillment of your obligation."
When the young conspirator concluded and had taken his seat, an old
warrior rose up and said a few encouraging words. He spoke as follows:
"The spirit of loyalty and devotion evinced by our young leader, the
tzin, for his unfortunate country and prince, does honor to Euzelmozin,
his noble father, who was my friend. Age has left the Matzatl a weak
and broken sword. His day of fighting is past; yet the Matzatl would
live to see his country rescued from the hand of the spoiler. Young
men, hearken to the words of the young tzin and follow his counsel.
Matzatl has faith in the son of Euzelmozin, and is assured that he will
lead you to victory. Our brother, whose words first greeted us
to-night, spoke wisely when he said: 'The hour has come when the ear
should be open to catch the sound, and the tongue silent that it may
not escape.' See to it that ye hear the sound and hold it."
Others, including Cacami, addressed the assembly briefly, urging a
faithful adherence to the cause which they had sworn with their all to
defend.
At a suggestion from Euetzin a permanent organization was formed, which
was designated a council, and an experienced warrior chosen to
officiate as its chief. Thus was the object of the meeting attained;
the first step toward the organization of an army accomplished, and the
hearts of those present inspired with confidence in their cause, and
zeal to labor for its promotion and final establishment.
The meeting had been brought about through the influence of the tzin,
with the assistance of a few leading spirits, whose special duty was to
see each one personally and instruct him in the passwords, that no man
who was not known to be true and loyal might gain admission.
The men quietly dispersed and the world outside was none the wiser that
an organization was begun, having for its end an object freighted with
consequences, the measure of which was not comprehended by the
originators themselves.
The same proceeding was enacted in every city and town where Tezcucans
were found in sufficient numbers to make it possible. Not only were
Euetzin and Cacami engaged in it, but others who had entered the work
with heart and soul imbued with the spirit of resistance and a life
pledged to the accomplishment of their country's liberation. It was all
being done with such quiet stealth that no move or sound gave evidence
of the rapidly spreading conspiracy.