The day was one of brightness and warmth on the mountain where we left
Hualcoyotl and his attendant. The storm of the previous night had
entirely disappeared before the refulgent rays of the morning sun.
Hours came and passed, and the day was three-fourths gone; yet, fairly
well protected in their new quarters, the prince and Oza slept on in an
unbroken slumber, so worn were they from the almost superhuman efforts
of the night before. The sleep of exhaustion was upon them, and the
ordinary noises of the mountain wilds with which they were surrounded
were without effect to disturb them. Now and then a bird would alight
quite near and shie its bright eye at the sleepers, then hurry away.
Animals frisked unconcerned about them, and the pestiferous insect
filled the air with its ceaseless and annoying hum; still the tired
fugitives continued profoundly unconscious of it all.
Such was the situation of the sleepers about the middle of the
afternoon, when a piercing scream, like the cry of a person in extreme
distress or peril, only much louder and inexpressibly awful, awakened
the slumberers to a sudden impression of impending danger. The prince
quickly raised himself to a listening posture, and exclaimed:
"What means that cry?"
"Hist, master; look there! What is that?" spoke Oza, in an excited
whisper, at the same time pointing to an object just above and in front
of them.
The prince looked in the direction indicated by his attendant, and
there, not twenty feet away, beheld, crouched on an overhanging limb, a
ferocious looking beast, with eyes which shone like balls of fire fixed
menacingly upon them. The animal's lips were parted, showing its great
ugly teeth, which caused a savage grin to overspread its fierce and
threatening visage. Its tail, cat-like and menacing, was moving slowly
to and fro; and, altogether, the monster's appearance was anything but
reassuring to contemplate. The situation was, indeed, alarming.
The position of the animal was such that, to get away, the prince and
Oza would have been compelled to pass almost under it. To have done
this would have been to invite an immediate attack, which they could
not afford to do in their defenseless condition.
Hualcoyotl recalled having heard some time in his life that such
animals would not attack a person whose eyes were kept fixed upon them.
The thought suggested the idea that the beast might be kept at bay in
this manner until, tiring, it would leave of its own accord. The plan
was immediately put into execution, and a peculiar contest began.
The fiercely grinning beast gave stare for stare, and never once turned
its eyes away. For a full half hour, which seemed an age to the prince,
the battle of the eyes went on, and still there was no letting up in
the belligerent attitude of his fierce looking adversary.
Thus matters stood when there came a sudden thud-like sound, followed
by a terrible howl from the animal, which leaped from its position into
the ravine, falling dead almost at the feet of the imprisoned
fugitives.
The long, uninterrupted stare into the eyes of the snarling beast had
proven to be a very trying ordeal to Hualcoyotl; and when it sprang so
suddenly into the ravine as if to attack them, he was almost prostrated
from the shock given his tensified sensibilities. He quickly recovered
when he saw that deliverance, from an unknown and unexpected source,
had come to them through the death of the animal. Directly a voice,
apparently just above them, was heard to say:
"Menke, ye couldn't have missed that feller no how. Queer the brute
'lowed me to come so close; never moved till I sent the jav'lin right
into his ugly carcass. There he lies, sure enough, at the bottom o' the
ravine, dead as a stone. Ol' feller, ye got yer everlastin', an' no
mistake. Hello! What's that?" was the exclamation which followed the
discovery of the prince's quarters. "Looks as ef somebody'd gone to
house-keepin'."
The foregoing talk was carried on by Menke, the hunter, who was
introduced to the reader in the preceding chapter. It was in the nature
of a soliloquy, in which, as we have before observed, the hunter
frequently indulged.
In pursuing his hunt through the mountain forests he had chanced to
pass near the place where the prince and Oza were sheltered, and seeing
the animal with fixed attention, crept cautiously up and gave it a
death thrust with the javelin. He was too deeply intent on securing the
animal as a prize to notice the retreat of the fugitives until the
moment his exclamation was uttered.
Hualcoyotl very naturally concluded, on hearing the voice, that there
were at least two persons in the party. He also surmised, from the
character of the language used, that they were denizens of the
mountains.
"They are surely not soldiers," he thought, "and may prove to be
friendly."
The hunter descended into the ravine for the purpose of securing his
prize, hardly expecting to find any one under cover of the shelter he
had just discovered. When he reached the bottom near where the animal
was lying, his eyes fell upon the forms of the prince and Oza, who had
remained quietly waiting developments. He quickly took in the situation
and said, with an air of surprise:
"Wull, now, what kind of a nest d'ye call that, eh?"
"It might be a worse one, hunter," returned the prince, recognizing
Menke's calling by his general appearance, at the same time coming out
of his sheltered retreat. "We were endeavoring to get some sleep, after
a very tiresome tramp over the mountain," he continued, "when the cry
of this beast aroused us rather unceremoniously; and for the past half
hour we have been trying to drive it from us by looking it steadily in
the eyes. But it has been provokingly persistent, and might have
worried us out in time, had you not opportunely come along and relieved
us with your javelin."
"That 'counts for the brute payin' no 'tention to me; 'lowin' me to
come right onto 'im, an' givin' me such a fine show for his skin,"
returned the hunter.
"Yes, its fixed attention made it a splendid target for your javelin.
But, friend, where are your companions?" the prince asked, seeing no
one but the hunter.
"My companions," quoth Menke. "Don't understand ye, stranger."
"We certainly heard you talking with someone just before you came into
the ravine," replied the prince.
"Wull, now, that's so; I was doin' some talkin', I reckon, but it was
to myself. Ye see, stranger, when a feller's alone 'bout all the time,
as I am, he gets real sociable with 'imself, an' falls into that way o'
doin'. No, there's no one 'long o' me, an' ef I did any conversin', it
was entirely onesided," returned the hunter, in his peculiar manner of
expression. "Ye've got a right snug place here," he continued, taking a
look at the fugitives' shelter. "Goin' to stop a while, eh?"
"That will depend on circumstances," replied the prince. "Do you live
near here?"
"Wull, no; it's some distance to my place. There are folks livin'
hereabout, but their way o' livin's kind o' tough. Ye'd better go round
'em, stranger. Some good people on the plateaus, though. Now, there's
Tezcot--lives th' other side of yon mountain. He's a man ye can fasten
to an' know ye're safe. He's a kind o' chief 'mong the mountain people.
Ef ye happen to run onto Tez, ye'll find 'im true as his arrer, an'
that's sayin' a heap."
"We'll try to remember your friend Tezcot, hunter, and should we meet
him, will feel that we are fortunate."
"S'pose ye're on a huntin' excursion, eh?" said Menke, forgetting the
strangers could not be supplied with arms, else the animal would hardly
have held them prisoners.
"Well, not exactly. Our business is, to some extent, searching for
roots and berries," replied the prince, expressing a sudden thought
which suggested a way of misleading the hunter and avoiding immediate
discovery.
"Medicine man, eh?" responded the hunter, in an ejaculatory manner.
The prince found it necessary to change the subject, which he did by
inquiring:
"Do you ever get any news from the valley, hunter?"
"Wull, yes. 'Casionally meet a hunter from there who has news; an' then
the soldiers--thick as mosquitoes round here o' late--they have a heap
to say. Some o' them--the Tepanecs, are lookin' for the Tezcucan
prince, who's hidin' somewhere in the mountains. Maxtla, the new
Tepanec king, is after his life."
"Have you seen this prince you speak of?"
"Wull, no; haven't had that pleasure."
"What would you do, hunter, should you meet with the prince on the
mountain--make him a prisoner and claim the reward?"
"No, stranger, I'd do nothin' o' the sort; I'd let 'im alone."
"You certainly have not heard of the extraordinary reward which, I
understand, has been offered for his capture, dead or alive--a noble
lady's hand in marriage, and a rich domain with it, to him who takes
the prince. Is that not worth considering?" said Hualcoyotl,
endeavoring to draw the hunter out still farther, to be more fully
assured that he might trust him.
"Not to a man o' family, stranger," replied the hunter.
"With the wealth included in the reward you could support several
wives. The matter of a family would be of small consequence," pursued
the prince.
"All the same, stranger, I'd sooner be a free man o' the mountains than
to have all Maxtla has to give for the prince's capture. I'll never be
a slave to any man, and surely not to Maxtla. Ef the prince should come
my way, I'll show 'im what a mountaineer can do fur the son o' his
father, a man who was loved by his people fur the good that was in
'im." At this instant a thought occurred to the hunter which caused him
to look sharply at the prince. After a moment of close scrutiny, he
said: "Come to think of it, ye're askin' a good many questions 'bout
the prince. Wouldn't be s'prised ef ye'd turn out to be the 'dentical
chap, yerself. Curious I haven't s'pected that afore. Who are ye, any
way?"
"Hunter, your expressions of good will assure me that I can trust you.
I have the confidence to believe you would not betray a pursued and
unjustly persecuted man. You see in me Hualcoyotl, the fugitive
prince." As the prince said this he seemed to grow taller, for he stood
proudly erect while he waited for the surprised hunter to speak.
Menke's astonishment, at finding his suspicion verified, was little
short of amazement. After a moment, he said:
"Wull, ef I aint clear beat; been talkin' to a live prince all this
time, an' didn't have gumption 'nough to know it." Looking Hualcoyotl
over, he continued: "So ye're the prince. Wull, that knocks me
crookeder 'an that animal's leg; I'd 'bout as soon take yer man fur a
prince. Can't see but ye're just like other folks--nothin' extra,
either."
The prince could not repress a smile of amusement at hearing the
hunter's very expressive language. Menke continued:
"D'ye know, Prince, ye took my measure exactly when ye said ye thought
ye could trust me? Ye can do it, sure as ye live. May the next lion I
come across eat me jacket and all, ef ye can't!"
"Thank you, hunter," returned the prince. "You can not know how much
relief and encouragement your words afford us. Our situation was very
critical before you came to our assistance, and we feel very grateful
to you. The disposition of kindliness which you evince toward us is
most assuring, and makes us feel as if we were not wholly friendless."
"That's all right, Prince. It doesn't cost much to be obligin', an' it
turns up a good profit; so don't let it trouble ye. Menke--that's
me--'ll do all he's promised, an' more too ef it's needed. How're ye
fixed fur somethin' to eat?" he concluded, thoughtful of the fugitives'
physical wants.
"Rather poorly, hunter. We have nothing except a little green maize
which we brought with us when we came here--hardly worth mentioning."
"Ye are a little short, that's a fact. My luck hasn't been the best
to-day. Only got a pheasant or two an' one hare. Ye're welcome to 'em,
Prince."
"Again we have to thank you, hunter; you are very kind."
"Can't see why I'm more'n I should be; ye've nothing to eat an' I have;
that means a divide to Menke, Prince."
"I have often heard of the liberality and hospitable character of the
men of the mountains. You have proven, by your kindness, Menke, that
the report is well founded.
"It doesn't matter how you put it, Prince; that's our way o' doin'; an'
ef ye've no objection to remainin' here alone, I'll take yer man 'long
o' me--what's 'is name?" he suddenly asked, looking at Oza. The name
was given, and he continued: "Wull, Oza, ef yer master's willin', ye
can g'long o' me, and I'll find ye somethin' more than pheasant an'
hare to eat."
It was arranged for Oza to accompany the hunter to the plateau, to
bring in such food as he might procure for them. When ready to go,
Menke threw the carcass of the mountain lion (for such it was) over his
shoulder, and started to leave the ravine.
"Hunter!" called the prince, as he was moving off, "you will keep our
hiding-place a secret. Do not mention to anyone, not even to your
closest friends, that you have seen us; curiosity might lead to our
discovery."
"Don't 'low any such notion as that to spoil yer sleep, Prince,"
returned the hunter. "When Menke undertakes to do somethin', he doesn't
count on callin' in his neighbors. Think he knows what's what, if he
does live on the mountains." With this brusk and emphatic reply he left
the ravine, followed by Oza.
Hualcoyotl was now alone. His situation was not the happiest, and was
calculated to call up disturbing reflections.
For some time after the departure of the hunter and Oza, he remained in
his retreat, pondering on his peculiarly trying position. Growing
nervous and uneasy, he concluded to venture out on the side of the
mountain, which he did. Finding a place whence he could observe unseen
the approaches to his quarters, he put himself on guard. As the hours
passed and Oza did not return, he grew still more uneasy. He had eaten
nothing during the day, and hunger was becoming a disturbing influence.
When night came on and Oza had not returned, he felt that some mishap
had certainly befallen him. He went back to his retreat, under cover of
darkness, feeling much depressed in spirits, where we leave him, to
follow the hunter and Oza.
After leaving the prince, they passed noiselessly down the side of the
mountain and out on to a narrow, level stretch of ground, along which
they went for a short distance, passing, on their way, some rudely
constructed huts, formed of sticks and earth, which were inhabited by
the class of mountaineers referred to by Menke as living tough.
The hunter's object was to procure for the fugitives a supply of
uncooked food, but he did not deem it expedient to apply to the
occupants of the huts for it, so passed on.
They had not gone far, after passing the huts, when they were met by a
squad of soldiers, the sight of whom almost paralyzed the heart of Oza.
"Hist, Oza!" quietly ejaculated the hunter, when he discovered the
soldiers approaching. "Ye're my servant; d'ye understand? Take this
animal on yer back an' fall behind." Oza comprehended, and quickly
obeyed.
Menke advanced boldly up to the soldiers, and one of them, looking at
Oza's burden, said:
"What have you there, hunter?"
"A lion, soldier--a very savage kind of animal. I'd caution ye to look
out fur 'em; they're plenty 'round here, 'specially on the mountains."
"Your very liberal with your advice, hunter, which may be good, but
think we can take care of ourselves."
"All right, soldier; ef ye want to furnish a meal or two fur the hungry
beasts, don't 'low me to hinder ye."
"Never mind the beasts, hunter; we care nothing for them. We're looking
for a different kind of animal--a run-away prince, who is known to be
hiding somewhere in these mountains. Haven't come across such a fellow
in your travels, eh?" questioned the soldier.
"Wull, now, wouldn't be sure, but think I've seen the man ye're lookin'
fur," returned Menke, making a show of trying to recall the
circumstance. "Yesterday--yes, 'twas yesterday, on th'other side o' the
mountain. Tall chap--"
"Yes," interjected the soldier.
"Kind o' dark skin?"
"Exactly, hunter," again put in the soldier.
"Was lookin' fur somethin' to eat," pursued Menke.
"Just what he'd most likely be doing. Think you've seen our man,"
replied the soldier. "Could you tell us," he continued, "about where to
look for him?"
"Wull, now, soldier, I might guess at it, but 'twould be like shootin'
an arrer at the moon--I'd come 'bout as close to one as th'other. Guess
I can't enlighten ye. Sorry, soldier, but I can't," concluded Menke,
moving on, and giving no heed to the scowling looks which followed him.
The meeting with the soldiers caused the hunter to modify his plans
somewhat. It would not be prudent to build a fire on the mountain, with
which to cook food, while the soldiers remained in such uncomfortably
close proximity. This made it necessary to procure it in a prepared
state.
The provisions could be obtained at Menke's home, but to go there would
consume much time. Then, there was danger of the soldiers going up into
the mountain in their search for the prince. He ought to be informed of
their presence. And yet, he must have something to eat.
All this was thought over by the hunter, who finally determined to take
the risk of leaving Hualcoyotl to look out for himself, and started to
procure the victuals from his own home.
The trip was accomplished as quickly as possible; nevertheless,
darkness overtook them before they got back; and it was well for them
that it did, for they came very near running into a band of soldiers
who were camping close to the point where the hunter had intended
beginning the ascent of the mountain. This made it necessary for them
to retreat and make a detour in order to reach cover.
The soldiers were becoming numerous on the plateaus, and Menke realized
that sharp practice would be required to elude them. Having become
deeply interested in the welfare of the fugitives, he decided, in view
of the gravity of the situation, to return with Oza to their retreat;
and, with the prince's approval, conduct them to a place of
concealment, at or near his home.
After some delay a bushy undergrowth, which grew thickly at the foot of
the mountain, was reached, into which, followed by Oza, the mountaineer
disappeared.