The Opelousas courier., 1892-10-29

bought. At length the priest con
inued;
"My SOD, | have spoken truth. Thou
halt see it. Col"
The young man stood irresolute for a
moment only, then turned toward the
:ity, while the priest entered the for-g
tst.
The Judgment hall of the royal city
WAS OF such splendor and magniheence
hat 1t would indeed seem strange IN our
iay, when the temples of justice scattered
,yer our land are usually plain and un-
mbellished by ornament of any descrlp-
ion. On the walls hung tapestry, made
| of the hair of different wild animals, OF
rich and varied hue, festooned by gold
rings, and embroidered with figures of
birds and flowers. At one end of the
hall was a throne of pure gold, inlaid
with precious stones, above which was a
canopy of ~variegated plumage, cleaning
with gold and jewels. On a stool in
front was placed a human skull crowned
with an immense emerald of a pyramida1
form, and s%urmounted by an aigrette
of brilliant plumes aud precious stones.
On the day following the young
Princes interview with Huitzil the
priest, just as the sun reached the merid-
ian, the sound of the tomtom was heard,
calling the lords to the hall of judy
ment.
Soon thoy entered the outer or lesser
hall, where they arranged themselves in
the order of their rank. They were g
noble looking band of men, fourteen in
number, all wearing the gold and silver
culrass, the cloak of rich featherwork
and the silver helmet which proclaimed
them to be tie great lords of the realm,
| the highest in rank in the court of the
Tezcucan monarch.
When all had assembled the King,
Nezhualcoiotzin, was announced by a
messenger, and presently the monarch
entered, clothed in his robes of state, and
preceded by a band of thirteen priests.
Leading Ae way into the judgment hall,
the King took his seat on the throne,
| placed a golden crown, encrusted with
| precious stones, upon his head, and took
in his right hand as a sceptre a golden
arrow.
From the grave faces of the lords it
was evident that the case on which SEN
tence was to be given was one OF import
auce. Silence was over the assembly
until Huitzil stepped forward from
among the priests. Placing his right
hand over his heart, he made a low bow
to the King and then spske:
"Most noble aud illustrious Nezahual-
coiotzin, thou who rulest over all Apahu-
&C, know that under the forces 4 thy
arm and the terror Of thy might tha8ge is
no Nation left to withstand @Shee.
The captives are few, and the terrible
Huitzilopochtli is a-hungered. Already
is his face clouded when he looks Hpon
Tezcuco. His feasts are no longer red
with the blood of many captives, and
his anger has arisen. But, o King, the
terrible and mighty war god spake to
Inv servant Huitzil face to face, and for
one little sacrifice will his anger be ban
ished. The god of gods, Huitzilopoch-
til, great aud terrible, commands that
the most favored maiden of Tezcuco be
offered on the altar of sacrifice on the
tenth day hence, and the lot has fallen
upon Tula. Thus shall his wrath pass
over the head of the King and be kim
died against his enemies. The prophet
of the gods has spoken"
The priest retired, and from the ranks
of the mobiles came the youngest of all,
the Prince Nezahualcoyotl. With a
profound bow he advanced to where the
priest had stood, and waiting in silence
until the monarch commanded.
'tSpeaki"
Then, amid the most respectful 81
lence, the prince began:
stMost noble sire, thou who art in
very truth my father, many days ago thy
son, the prince, hunted in the forest.
There found I the maiden Tula in the
hands of thine enemies, tho robbers of
Tspaueco, who would have borne her
away to their haunts. I rescued her and
carried her back to her home in the roy
al CITY. And I loved the maiden, and
we plighted our troth when the moon
was high over the ige mountain. And
new, O my father, would the priest of
the terrible god take the maiden lula as
a sacrifice. Other maidens there are.
fair to see, and highly favored; their
breath as the zepher of the south, their
skin white as the lily of the lake, their
ao.r&nr~~na nf n.,a4vaInoafl ~x
father, is there none who may be
offered out Tula2"
With faltering steps the young man
retired, overcome with emotion. On che
faces of the mobiles was written pity and
sympathy, but the priests looked naughty
and triumphant, feeling confident that
the monarch would not oppose the will
of the gods.
In silence they awaited the decision of
the King. The law of Tezcucaus al
lowed a plea and counterplea only within
the hall of judgment, all other evidence
or argument having been heard pre-
viouslv in another place.
The moments passed, and the King
spoke not. The silence remained I'M.
broken. The face OF the monarch was a
study; the conflict tnat ragged IN his
breast between love for his son and fear
Of the gods was long and severe, but at
length the latter gained the victory.
Suddenly he arose and advanced to-
ward the stool where rested the skull.
With the golden arrow in his right hand
he drew a line across the emblem-and
the deed was done. The maiden Tula
was doomed.
Silently they left the hall as they had