Euetzin and his fellow conspirators found the time very brief for
completing their preparations for the massing of the insurgent army of
Tezcuco on the day appointed. The work was attended with so much
secrecy that it had to be carried on in a very quiet manner, keeping
them constantly on the alert. This being the case, the tzin and Cacami
were kept continually employed, with not a moment of time to spare in
which to visit their homes. However, just before starting for the
mountains, to escort Hualcoyotl into Tlacopan, they took time to go and
say 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 with
provisions and other supplies for the armies.
A commendable feature in the economy and foresight of the Aztecs--and
no less that of the other nations of Anahuac, for what may be said of
one will apply to all--was the establishment of great granaries, or
store-houses, where supplies were garnered up to meet future
exigencies. This was accomplished by tribute from the agricultural
districts of the province.
The time appointed for holding the tournament was at hand, and Tlacopan
was gorgeously attired for the occasion. The day was propitious, and
the city was filled to overflowing with people, who had come from far
and near to witness the achievements of the contestants.
The number of foreigners present was unprecedented. The primal cause of
this unusual spectacle will be apparent to the reader.
The hour for the tourney to open had arrived, and an immense throng of
people was assembled on the city's market-place, where it was thought
best to hold the meeting, in view of the expected crowd. The _tianguez_
was a great square, inwalled by buildings, store-houses, etc., and made
to accommodate anywhere from twenty-five to fifty thousand people. Much
of 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 of
Anahuac, and the people were encouraged to participate in them by
awards of merit--jewels, medals, decorations, etc., which were bestowed
upon the successful contestants. Every ruler of any importance was
provided with a suitable place in which to hold the contests, usually a
great inclosed court attached to the king's palace, but which, on this
occasion, was not adequate to the demands.
In many instances, among the more barbarous nations, the tourney of the
Aztecs was not less bloody than those of the ancients of Pompeii and
Rome, resulting purposely in the death of one or more of the
contestants.
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 be
especial features of the approaching tourney, which were open to all
comers.
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 throng
became hushed. The signal for the contestants to appear was sounded,
and a score or more of athletic warriors leaped into the arena. They
were clothed in their military tunic, which covered the body and
thighs. About the head was a band surmounted with featherwork.
Ornaments and decorations of different kinds, denoting former
victories, were worn by a number of them. A buckler, or shield, was
carried by each one as a protection against the arrows of an opponent.
There were two points of excellence considered in this contest: the
accuracy with which the arrow was dispatched, and the dexterity with
which it was caught upon the shield.
The contest was opened by two of the warriors taking positions opposite
and facing each other, at a fixed distance apart. The assembled
multitude became instantly stilled, and all eyes were centered upon
them. The bows of the opposing bowmen were deliberately brought to
position, and at a given signal two arrows sped across the space which
separated them, and which were neatly stopped by the respective
shields. The effect upon the audience was electrical; a shout of
approval went up for the splendid exhibition of skill manifested by the
contestants. The opponents, in this instance, were of Tlacopan and
Tenochtitlan. After three trials the score was recorded in favor of the
latter.
Another two advanced to position, and a record was made. Thus the
contest proceeded to the fifth entry, when a Tepanec and Tezcucan stood
opposed. Two trials were successfully achieved, but at the third the
arrow of the Tezcucan clipped a piece from the ear of the Tepanec,
carrying away the ring which adorned it. A prolonged shout of
exultation from the Tezcucans present followed the discovery of the
result of the shot.
The wounded contestant was a warrior of note in his own country, which
was evidenced by the number of decorations he wore. He was greatly
chagrined and angered at his mishap, and retired from the arena with
bitterness in his heart, and a vengeful scowl upon his face. He was
stoutly built, and would prove a dangerous adversary in a contest of
strength.
The first of the series of contests was conducted to a finish, and the
second was called, which was to be a contest in target shooting, to
which none but women were admitted.
When the signal for their entrance was given, an array of beauty, in
person and dress seldom witnessed, glided upon the scene. There were
princesses, the wives and daughters of caciques and chiefs, and others
with no royal blood to give them prestige--a double score.
We will not pause to describe the costumes--suffice it to say that the
majority of them were gorgeous in the extreme, with elaborately wrought
trimmings 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, was
placed, and the contest opened.
The order of succession had been determined, and the first archer
stepped to the front, receiving, as she did so, a good round of
applause. After a moment's deliberation the arrow from her bow was sent
on its harmless mission. It was well directed, but did not cut the
target. She moved to one side, and another took her place.
"Look!" exclaimed a spectator to an associate as the second archer
stepped into position. "By the bearded Quetzal, there's a beauty for
you! Superb, isn't she?" The contestant was a stranger to that vast
throng, but, had the reader of our story been present, a glance would
have sufficed to reveal who it was; for it was none other than Mitla,
the "Mountain Princess," who, through the persuasion of the tzin, had
consented to enter the contest. After taking position she paused to
recover her composure, giving the spectators time to note her admirable
physique. A buzz of admiration was heard to pass through the great
audience, and then as her bow was deliberately raised to shoot, all
became silent! The silence was breathless--almost oppressive--while the
vast crowd awaited the result of her shot. A snap was heard to break
the stillness, followed by a sudden shadowy streak, which touched the
target and disappeared; but the substance of it, the arrow from Mitla's
bow, was left buried directly in the center of the heart. When the
splendid feat of archery she had accomplished was realized, it was
greeted with the wildest demonstrations of delight, accompanied by a
shower of flowers, which fell in profusion about her. She had won the
heart of the multitude by her superb, native presence, and unexcelled
exhibition 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 of
recognition and applause. Coming, as these demonstrations did, from
Macua's place on the _tianguez_, they were regarded by those who
observed them as highly significant, fixing upon her the prestige of
royal 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 no
purpose. Her unerring accuracy could not be excelled, and at the close
of the contest, amid shouts and acclamations of satisfaction, she was
declared the winner.
The victorious girl was conducted before King Macua, who presented to
her the prize she had won--a beautiful necklace of gold and gems, which
was clasped about her throat by the hand of Euetzin, who was of the
king's party. It was a superlatively happy moment to the beautiful
mountain girl, and her eyes were effervescing with love's softest light
as they rested on him whom, unknown to all save herself, she almost
worshiped.
Mitla at once became an object of royal favor, and was escorted onto
Macua's platform, and given a place with the king's elect.
A tilt with javelins was the next thing in order. This was in the
nature of a challenge contest; a very dangerous one for the
participants, and exciting to the beholders.
A challenge to engage in a tilt, or contest, was always in order, and
usually proved to be the most popular and exciting feature of the
tourney.
The signal for the bout to commence was hardly sounded before the
Tepanec warrior who had been wounded in the bowmen's contest was in the
arena. His challenge was directed to the Tezcucan who had inflicted
humiliation upon him. His appearance and actions showed that his object
was to have revenge for the disgrace which the peculiar wound he had
received 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 of
one, the other calm and defiant. They were each equipped with javelin
and heavy buckler, and clothed about the body and thighs with a thick
cotton tunic--the arms and lower limbs being entirely free from
covering. They were without the customary headgear--a band only being
worn to confine the long, coarse, black hair.
The instructions to the opposing warriors were to advance rapidly to a
given point, and throw their weapons to kill--injury or death being
avoided by dodging or catching the javelin on the buckler.
The great crowd was again hushed. The signals were given, and the rush
of the opponents quickly followed. A whiz and crash were heard, and the
Tezcucan was almost thrown from his feet by the force of the Tepanec's
javelin, which he had succeeded in catching on his buckler. He
immediately recovered himself, and faced his opponent, who, having
dodged his adversary's weapon, stood fiercely watching the effect of
his throw.
The advantage gained by the Tepanec over the Tezcucan, in the tilt, was
not hailed with any degree of enthusiasm. There were too many friends
of the latter, and others, present, in whose hearts burned the
bitterest national hatred--a hatred for grievances inflicted--for which
every Tepanec, no matter what his position, high or low, was held
responsible.
It was evident that the Tepanec was the superior adversary, and he knew
it. He was not satisfied with the result of the bout, and a second
trial was demanded. Rather than be branded a coward, the Tezcucan
granted it, but, in doing so, realized that he was no match for his
enemy, and could hardly expect to come out of the contest with a whole
skin, if he did not lose his life.
The lancers took their respective positions for a second trial. The
signals were given, and they advanced quickly to the throwing point. A
cutting of the air was heard, followed by a crash of javelins and
shields, and the Tezcucan was knocked from his feet to the earth, where
he 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, the
spectators, as by a single impulse, jumped to their feet, and a shout
of derision went up from them for his wicked and unmanly design. The
time was brief, but not too brief for an avenging hand to come between
the would-be murderer and his fallen adversary. While all eyes were
bent upon the insane victor, with no other thought but that he would
accomplish his revengeful purpose, a hunter leaped into the arena, and,
before the mad deed was consummated, a javelin was sent flying through
the air, which struck the warrior in the neck, felling him, a lifeless
heap, at the side of the prostrate Tezcucan.
The excitement was now intense. The dead Tepanec and his severely
wounded adversary were forgotten for the moment by the excited
audience, whose attention became centered on the hunter. This man,
whose hand had sent the messenger of death, which so materially
affected the aspect of the tragedy, suddenly became an object of
speculation and the hero of the hour.
The king commanded that the slayer of the insane warrior be brought
into his presence. When he appeared, in obedience to the command, great
was the surprise and pleasure of Macua, and those with him, to see in
the 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 a
time; especially do we take pleasure in honoring Cacami. Wear this," he
continued, placing upon Cacami's breast a decoration which carried with
it honorable preferment, "as a mark of distinction, and also as a
memorial of the valorous deed you have this day performed in behalf of
a fallen man."
A shout of approbation ascended from the assembled throng, while the
tzin warmly embraced his comrade and friend.
Cacami was a spectator only, not having determined to take part in the
tournament, because of his engagements, especially on account of his
recent journey to the mountains to assist in bringing the prince to the
city. He was greatly interested in the tourney, however; particularly
so in the tilt with javelins, and excitement might have led him to
enter the contest had the first bout not ended as it did. No eye in
that immense throng took in the situation as promptly as did his; and,
instantly comprehending the purpose of the maddened warrior, he did not
stop 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 was
conducted to a finish, and the great throng gradually melted away, most
of it, however, to reassemble in a different capacity and place outside
of Tlacopan.