Montezuma's Daughter Read online

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  MONTEZUMA'S DAUGHTER

  by H. Rider Haggard

  NOTE

  The more unpronounceable of the Aztec names are shortened in manyinstances out of consideration for the patience of the reader; thus'Popocatapetl' becomes 'Popo,' 'Huitzelcoatl' becomes 'Huitzel,' &c.The prayer in Chapter xxvi. is freely rendered from Jourdanet's Frenchtranslation of Fray Bernardino de Sahagun's History of New Spain,written shortly after the conquest of Mexico (Book VI, chap. v.), towhich monumental work and to Prescott's admirable history the author ofthis romance is much indebted. The portents described as heralding thefall of the Aztec Empire, and many of the incidents and events writtenof in this story, such as the annual personation of the god Tezcatlipocaby a captive distinguished for his personal beauty, and destined tosacrifice, are in the main historical. The noble speech of the EmperorGuatemoc to the Prince of Tacuba uttered while they both were sufferingbeneath the hands of the Spaniards is also authentic.

  DEDICATION

  My dear Jebb,

  Strange as were the adventures and escapes of Thomas Wingfield, once ofthis parish, whereof these pages tell, your own can almost equal themin these latter days, and, since a fellow feeling makes us kind, you atleast they may move to a sigh of sympathy. Among many a distant landyou know that in which he loved and fought, following vengeance and hisfate, and by your side I saw its relics and its peoples, its volcansand its valleys. You know even where lies the treasure which, threecenturies and more ago, he helped to bury, the countless treasure thatan evil fortune held us back from seeking. Now the Indians have takenback their secret, and though many may search, none will lift the gravenstone that seals it, nor shall the light of day shine again upon thegolden head of Montezuma. So be it! The wealth which Cortes wept over,and his Spaniards sinned and died for, is for ever hidden yonder bythe shores of the bitter lake whose waters gave up to you that ancienthorror, the veritable and sleepless god of Sacrifice, of whom I wouldnot rob you--and, for my part, I do not regret the loss.

  What cannot be lost, what to me seem of more worth than the dead heroGuatemoc's gems and jars of gold, are the memories of true friendshipshown to us far away beneath the shadow of the Slumbering Woman,* and itis in gratitude for these that I ask permission to set your name withina book which were it not for you would never have been written.

  I am, my dear Jebb,

  Always sincerely yours,

  H. RIDER HAGGARD.

  * The volcano Izticcihuatl in Mexico.

  DITCHINGHAM, NORFOLK, October 5, 1892.

  To J. Gladwyn Jebb, Esq.

  NOTE

  Worn out prematurely by a life of hardship and extraordinary adventure,Mr. Jebb passed away on March 18, 1893, taking with him the respect andaffection of all who had the honour of his friendship. The author haslearned with pleasure that the reading of this tale in proof and thefact of its dedication to himself afforded him some amusement andsatisfaction in the intervals of his sufferings.

  H. R. H.

  March 22, 1893.

  CONTENTS

  I WHY THOMAS WINGFIELD TELLS HIS TALE

  II. OF THE PARENTAGE OF THOMAS WINGFIELD

  III. THE COMING OF THE SPANIARD

  IV. THOMAS TELLS HIS LOVE

  V. THOMAS SWEARS AN OATH

  VI. GOOD-BYE, SWEETHEART

  VII. ANDRES DE FONSECA

  VIII. THE SECOND MEETING

  IX. THOMAS BECOMES RICH

  X. THE PASSING OF ISABELLA DE SIGUENZA

  XI. THE LOSS OF THE CARAK

  XII. THOMAS COMES TO SHORE

  XIII. THE STONE OF SACRIFICE

  XIV. THE SAVING OF GUATEMOC

  XV. THE COURT OF MONTEZUMA

  XVI. THOMAS BECOMES A GOD

  XVII. THE ARISING OF PAPANTZIN

  XVIII. THE NAMING OF THE BRIDES

  XIX. THE FOUR GODDESSES

  XX. OTOMIE'S COUNSEL

  XXI. THE KISS OF LOVE

  XXII. THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS

  XXIII. THOMAS IS MARRIED

  XXIV. THE NIGHT OF FEAR

  XXV. THE BURYING OF MONTEZUMA'S TREASURE

  XXVI. THE CROWNING OF GUATEMOC

  XXVII. THE FALL OF TENOCTITLAN

  XXVIII. THOMAS IS DOOMED

  XXIX. DE GARCIA SPEAKS HIS MIND

  XXX. THE ESCAPE

  XXXI. OTOMIE PLEADS WITH HER PEOPLE

  XXXII. THE END OF GUATEMOC

  XXXIII. ISABELLA DE SIGUENZA IS AVENGED

  XXXIV. THE SIEGE OF THE CITY OF PINES

  XXXV. THE LAST SACRIFICE OF THE WOMEN OF THE OTOMIE

  XXXVI. THE SURRENDER

  XXXVII. VENGEANCE

  XXXVIII. OTOMIE'S FAREWELL

  XXXIX. THOMAS COMES BACK FROM THE DEAD

  XL. AMEN

  MONTEZUMA'S DAUGHTER