A Prince of Anahuac: A Histori-traditional Story Antedating the Aztec EmpirePorter, James A.
History
A Prince of Anahuac: A Histori-traditional Story Antedating the Aztec Empire
Porter, James A.
Mexico -- History -- To 1519 -- Fiction
Hualcoyotl, accompanied by a retinue of chosen warriors, among whom
were our friends Euetzin and Cacami, both having been generously
remembered by the prince in the distribution of honors, was advancing
to assume command. When discovered by the army, and recognized, they
were received with the acclamation: "Hualcoyotl! Hualcoyotl! Long live
Hualcoyotl and Euetzin!" The latter was regarded for his untiring
efforts in behalf of Tezcuco's independence as being entitled to all
the honor due to any Tezcucan living, and his people were ready at all
times to accord it.
The hour was a proud one to the two young men: To Euetzin in view of
the crowning of his labors with the grand military display which was
there spread out before him; to the prince for the opportunity which
placed him in position to meet his cruel persecutor on equal footing,
where he could demand, at the point of the javelin, his rights as the
Prince of Tezcuco. He spoke as follows:
"Warriors, men of Tezcuco: after many years of degradation and
enslavement, you are again permitted to stand beneath your own loved
banner, which was once the delight of our fathers and the pride of our
nation. It has been trailing in the dirt for long; but your determined
look assures me that it will no longer be thus dishonored. There is no
need for me, as your commander, to say, stand firm in the cause of
liberty, for I read upon your faces the will to do or die. Then let us
waste no time until Maxtla and his hordes have been met and brought to
feel the avenging power of wronged Tezcuco's arm. Let our war cry be--"
"Hualcoyotl and victory! Hualcoyotl and victory!"
The words which the prince would have spoken were left unsaid, and the
acclamation with which he was interrupted passed like a wave from right
to left, and back again. When quiet was restored, he only said:
"As you will, and may your victory be complete."
The order was given to march, and the army of patriotic Tezcucans was
quickly in motion, and on its way to join the allied armies at the
place of rendezvous.
To strike the confederate armies Maxtla was obliged to march all his
forces around the north end of lake Tezcuco, and south through Tezcucan
territory, as the possessions of the Mexican king were on the west, and
could not be crossed except in disregard of the laws of neutrality. It
therefore required several days for him to get his army into position
for taking the offensive.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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