Hualcoyotl was about sixteen years old when he went into retirement. He was unusually bright, and gave promise, in his deportment and youthful precociousness, of reaching a splendid manhood. Eight years passed by, during which period he remained in undisturbed seclusion, acquiring knowledge and wisdom under the skillful training of the good Itzalmo, and finding, in his hours of leisure, divertisement in the society of a few chosen companions. He had not disappointed the expectations of his friends, but, at the age of twenty-four, had ripened into a man of surpassing physical and intellectual force--a worthy representative of a noble line of princes. His adherents recognized in him their future king--their hope of deliverance from Tepanec usurpation. About this time, 1426, the even tenor of the prince's life was interrupted by the sudden and unexpected death of the destroyer of Tezcucan independence--the old king, Tezozomoc, at Azcapozalco, the Tepanec capital. The government of this nation, and its subjugated provinces, would now devolve upon Prince Maxtla, the deceased king's son, who was looked upon as a very unscrupulous and dangerous man--more so, if possible, than was his father, whose rule had always been despotic and tyrannical, especially over his foreign vassals. But to return to the prince's apartment. The servant retired with his master's message, and Itzalmo came soon after. Advancing before Hualcoyotl, the old vassal dropped on one knee in salutation. "Arise, Itzalmo," said the prince, kindly. "You have requested speech with me. Hualcoyotl is pleased to grant any favor you may ask which is his to bestow. Of what would you speak?" "Hualcoyotl, the prince, is very kind. If it please him, his servant would speak of the king." "What of the king, good friend?" "The king is dead." "The king dead, you say? How came the news?" "By special courier but now." Hualcoyotl's countenance took on a grave and thoughtful expression. After a short pause he remarked: "Maxtla will be king." "Yes, Maxtla is already king," replied Itzalmo; "crowned by his father's hand--an event greatly to be deplored, surely; and well might we ask, O Prince, what will be the issue?" "An inauspicious succession, good friend, to say the least; and one full of painful uncertainty," spoke the master; and, after a brief silence, he suddenly said; "Itzalmo, thou hast excellent command of thy knowledge--thou art wise; I would know what is in thy mind. What discernest thou in the old king's death? How will it effect our people's condition?"