The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-02-12

fearful eye of the maiden betrayed the
emotion with which she heard him. For
moment Hualco interpreted this softness
in his own favor; but the maid en-, recover.
ing herself directly, shrank from him and
wrapping her veil about her, checked the
eoqnence of the prince, aud left him hor
ror,stricken, with the fatal words, II am
tie betrothed of Max,la!'
The arms of Tezcnco trlumphed, as had
been anticipated, and the usurper. huns
bled and dispirited, was left prisoner in
the hands Of those who had every reason
to detest him. liualco was entreated to
permit his vanquished enemy to be sacri-
fced to tile gods without delay, for the
people Of Tezcuco, ,thoughof gentl er tone
than the surrounding notions, had not
then renounced the horrid practice of hu
man sacrifices. But the ne v king, though
not superiorto feeling of strong resent
ment against Maxtla, and perhaps not
slightly tempted to rid himself thus easily
Of one who seemed the only obstacle be>
tween him and his dearest wishes, resisted
the double impulse, and sienihed to those
W ho importuned for the death of the usur-
per, bis intention that the royal captive
should be Injected to the sentence of the
"Tribnnal of Cod" the highest court OF
the kingdom. The people mur,nnred, but,
accus omed 10 absolute submission, fork ore
all open demonstration of their disappont-
ment, and preparations were made for the
holding of this solemn court on the very
day when Hualco was to be formally la
vested with the roy al dignity.
The coronation OF a monarch was al
ways an occasion Of great pomp, and the
| peculiar circumstances under which the
new sovereign came 10 the throne-frssh
from a splendid victory over tie conqueror
who lad threatened to reduce Tezcuco
furev er to the condition OF proviLce-
made him SO much the popular IDOL, that
the preparations for the ceremony were
unusually magnificent. The chiefs focS>
ed around their new found king with their
armed vassals, and the rich tribute in kind
which contributed SO much TO the lnxnry
IF the royal residences. The national
standard, bearing, in hieregly phical sym
! bols, the armorial ensigns of the state EN-.
broidered in gold and fea' hers, floating
| from the azoteaS" and pinnacles oftte pal
ace, while every great chief lisplayed his
own, gave to the whole city the air of a
carnival. Conriers were arriving every
moment from distant parts of the kingdom,
and even from the ocean, with gifts and
offerings to enhance the splendor Of the
great event. All was excitement and ex-
ui,atiou, while he to whom the whole was
dedicated, depressed BY hopeless yet in>
tense passion, would have renounced the
pomp of empire to bury hmselfin in the for
est glade for the sake of the lovely Faralt-
zin. When the day arrived which was to
behold the solemn recognition Of the new
sovereign, and to decide the fate Of Msxtla,
it might have been difficult TO determine
on which event the minds of the immense
multitude that thronged every avenue Of
the city were most intently fixed.
The coronation took place in the moru'-
ing, and the air was rent with the joyful
acclamatIons with which the crowded
streets received the announcement. But
the ceremony was not complete without
the sacrifices, which Hnalco, although his
soul detested such denominations, WASH
BILE TO prevent; and previous to the sacri'
fees must Maxtla's sentence be pronoun-
ced The king, surrounded by all his
took his seat upon the golden throne, from
which the judgments Of the "Tribunal OF
God" were pronounced Before him, up
on a stand formed Of military weapons
shields, quivers, bows and arrows--was
placed human skull, on the crown of
which cleaned an immense emerald, sur
rounded by a brilliant plume ornamented
with precions stones. The walls were
hung with the rich tapestry peculiar 10 the |
festoons with gold rings, and GOV.
cred with the figures of birds and animals
embroidered in the most glowing colors.
Around the throne were placed the gteat
lords of the kingdom, marshalled accord
ing TO their rank. a5z 4
In the midst of profound silence the
per6dious Maxtla was brought into the
,pen space in front of the throne. His
BROW wore an air Of naughty defiance, for
,e felt that his hour had come, and he
corned 10 implore the clemency of him
Ehom lie had pursued with SO much rancor.
lie fixed his eye upon his youthful judge
nth an expression of the deepest hatred,
'hile the king, rising from the throne.
laced his left hand on the skull, and raised ,
. his right hand the golden arrow with
hich the whole breaihless assembly wait.