Page:About Mexico - Past and Present.djvu/211



HE young Tezcucan chief, Cacama, so keenly resented the degrading position occupied by the "chief-of-men" that he withdrew to his home in Tezcuco and refused to attend the meetings which the peace party in the council held in the Spanish quarters. By Montezuma's advice, it was resolved to see what could be done to bring the young man to terms, as it was found that he was heading a conspiracy to unseat Montezuma. Tezcuco was eighteen miles from Mexico by canoe, and thirty by the lake-shore path. Cacama's home was built partly on land and partly on piles in the water, and so high above the water that the canoes could pass under and come out on the other side.

It was arranged that the visit of the council should be unexpected. They crossed the lake under cover of darkness, and, gliding under the dwelling, the whole party made an entrance by an unguarded door and surrounded the young chief before he realized his danger. He was quietly bound hand and foot and lifted into a canoe, which as quietly paddled across the lake to Mexico. On landing, Cacama was put into a litter and carried to Cortez. Other arrests were soon made, and a successor chosen by the council was installed in Cacama's place.

Montezuma's weak behavior during all this showed