So intense was the curiosity to see the prisoner that the spectators pressed upon each other, for the moment mindless of the monarch's presence.
"A handsome fellow!" said an old cacique, approvingly.
"Only a boy, my lord!" suggested the critic.
"He might kill, but in fair fight: so I judge him."
And that became the opinion amongst the nobles.
"Your friend seems confident, Xoli. I like him," remarked the Chalcan's acquaintance.
"The king, said you!" And the good man, representing the commonalty, was frozen into silence.
In another quarter, one asked, "Does he not wear the 'tzin's livery?"
The person interrogated covered his mouth with both hands, then drew to the other's ear, and whispered,--
"Yes, he's a 'tzin's man, and that, they say, is his crime."
The sharp voice of the executive officer of the court rang out, and there was stillness almost breathless. Up rose the clerk, a learned man, keeper of the records, and read the indictment; that done, he laid the portrait of the accused on the table before the judge; then the trial began.
The judge, playing carelessly with the fatal arrow, said,--"Hualpa, son of Tepaja, the Tihuancan, stand up, and answer."
And the prisoner arose, and saluted court and king, and answered, "It is true, that on the night of the banquet, I fought the Tezcucan; by favor of the gods, I defeated, without slaying him. He is here in person to acquit me."
Some of the officers retired; during their absence a solemn hush prevailed; directly they returned, carrying a palanquin. Right before the dais they set it down, and drew aside the curtains. Then slowly the Tezcucan came forth,--weak, but unconquered. At the judge he looked, and at the king, and all the fire of his haughty soul burned in the glance. Borrowing strength from his pride, he raised his head high, and said, scornfully,--
"The power of my father's friend is exceeding great; he speaks, and all things obey him. I am sick and suffering; but he bade me come, and I am here. What new shame awaits me?"
Montezuma answered, never more a king than then: "'Hualpill was wise; his son is foolish; for the memory of the one I spare the other. The keeper of this sacred place will answer why you are brought here. Look that he pardons you lightly as I have."
