The Fair God; or, The Last of the 'Tzins: A Tale of the Conquest of Mexico

ow, irregular pile, embracing not only the king's abode proper, but also quarters for his guard, and edifices for an armory, an aviary, and a menagerie. Attached to it was a garden,

her in day or night, it was a favorite lounging-place. During fair evenings, parti

palace as hostages, were gathered in the garden, under a canopy used to shield a fountain from the noonday sun. The

was "a very common soldier" in the opinion of the people was of small moment: he had the king's ear; and

can, came suddenly to the fountain. He coldly

f Tezcuco be seate

the company looks inviting

s body was wrapped closely in an escaupil, or tunic, of cotton lightly quilted, over which, and around his waist, was a maxtlatl, or sash, inseparable from the warrior. A casque of silver, thin, burnished, and topped with plumes, surmounted his head. His features w

upon the proffered stool. "The lake is calm, the way w

The 'tzin is good c

wned, and b

o Quetzal'. I am reminded, gracious prince, that, at a recent celebration, you put up a thousand cocoa,[14] to be forfe

hrugged his b

es!" whispered

ld Mualox is mo

stars deal with him. And my brother will not speak, l

ot a sacrilege to the paba or his god; if it was,

alox a prophet?" asked

wer in the sun; w

he paba," observed

the walls and towers of his dusty temple,-are they not

into the valley, like an inundation, from the north; the race whose religion was founded upon credulity; the race full of chivalry, but horribly governed by a crafty priesthood

ghtly provoked; he has gifts not of men. But, as the

gathered close a

certain lord in the palace, who goes thrice a week to the shrine of Quetzal', has faith in the gossip and the paba. He says the mystery is Quetzal' himself, already returned, and waiting, concealed in the temple, the ripeni

cucan h

axtla, profoundly interested. "A thousand cocoa would buy a jewel

enacted in the temple. At the end, I turned to go away, determined that it should be my last visit. At the eastern steps, as I was about descending, I felt a hand laid on my arm. It was Mualox; and not more terrible looks Tlalac when he has sacrificed a thousand victims. There was no blood on his hands; his beard and surplice were white and stainless; the terror was in his eyes, that seemed to burn and shoot lightning. You know, good chief, that I could have crushed him with a blow; yet I trembled. Looking back now, I cannot explain the awe that seized me. I remember how my will deserted me,-how another's came in its stead. With a glance he bound me hand and foot. While I looked at him, he dilated, until I was covered by his shadow. He magnified himself in

Maxtla appeared infected with a sombreness of spirit; and it