The Opelousas courier., 1892-10-29

priests. Pale and sorro "ful he was, and
clad only in the plainest Of garments.
For what signifies gaudy apparel and out
ward splepdor when the loved one is in
danger2
Just as the sun paused in the heavens
at the midday hour, the chief priest and
stairway that led to the altar at the sum-
NIT of the tower. Around the altar stood
five other priests, whose duty it was to
hold the victim fast while the chief priest
performed his horrible work.
In q long, passionate chant-like prayer
the old priest invoked the blessing of the
terrible war god, beseeching that his
wrath might be turned away, in consid-
Grafton of the sacrifice about to be made.
For full half an hour the invocation con-
tinued, and ere it closed a low murmur
burst from the lips of the assembled null
titudes below.
There was good reason, too, for the
surprise and CONSERVATION of the people,
for halfway up the side of the tower
where none but the priesthood and the
victims had ever yet dared to tread,
could be seen the young Prince Neza-
huaIcoyotl, swiftly and s~tealthily mount
ing to the summit. In his right hand
he grasped a light golden dart; by his
side hung a curiouslY wrought swords
inlaid with gold and precious stones, and
on his face was a look of determination
which BODIED i'll to any one who might
oppose him.
The prayer was ended. The chief
priest Huitzil advanced to consummate
the sacrifice, when suddenly he threw up
his hands and fell, pierced to the heart
with a golden dart.
Then the people witnessed a sight
such as they had never seen befo re. Ere
the astonished priests could com rehend
what had occurred, the Prince had
leaped up beside the altar and slew all
five with the sword. Then he spr ang to
the edge of the tower, after reasauring
the trembling maiden, and his tones rang
out clear and strong as he thus addressed
the people:
"Men of Tezcueo, this day ye have
witnessed a deed that shall be for the
glory of the true gods and the good of
our nation. This day has the false priest
been slain by the arrow of the gods
which only pierces the heart of him who
speaks with a crooked tongue and a
deceiving spirit. This day have the five
priests of the altar been slain by the
sword of Quetzalcoatl!"
He raised the cleaning blade aloft,
still dripping with the blood of its vic
TINS; the sight of the sacred trophy was
the signal for a mighty shout from the
listening populaee- Then he continued:
"Hear the commands of Quetzalcoati,
the true god, who reigned in the golden
age of Auahuaci Thus saith the god:
No more shall offerings of maidens be
made to the gods of Tezcuco. No more
shall tie terrible war god be feared and
worshiped, for the day of his power Is
passed, and peace shall again spread her
pinions over the royal city. This@ day
shall the maiden Tuls become the wife
of the Prince Nezahualcoyoti, and the
temple OF H"uitZilopochtn snau Dc laiu
waste. The messenger of the true god,
even the messenger of Quetzalcoatl, has
spoken"
Then turning to Tula he raised her to
her feet, and with tneir arms twined
around each other they descended the
narrow stairway, to be received with re-
~ioicinp bv the DeOule.
How the old king was shortly after
ward slain in a battle with the Tepanecs,
and how the Prince Nezahualcoyoti on
ascending the throne completely ban
ished the worship of Huitzilopochtli,
and how upward of forty years he con-
Quoted the most peaceful and prosper.
GUS reign ever known during the history
of the Tezcucana as a nation, are matters
OF history. During his reign human sac
riice was greatly lessened, although not
until after the conquestof Mexico by the
Spaniards, about 800 years a~fterward,
was it entirely abolished.-Waverley
Magazine.