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This etext was prepared by Donald Lainson, [email protected].

Montezuma's Daughter
by
H. Rider Haggard

NOTE
The more unpronounceable of the Aztec names are shortened in many instances 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 French translation of Fray Bernardino de Sahagun's History of New Spain, written shortly after the conquest of Mexico (Book VI, chap. v.), to which monumental work and to Prescott's admirable history the author of this romance is much indebted. The portents described as heralding the fall of the Aztec Empire, and many of the incidents and events written of in this story, such as the annual personation of the god Tezcatlipoca by a captive distinguished for his personal beauty, and destined to sacrifice, are in the main historical. The noble speech of the Emperor Guatemoc to the Prince of Tacuba uttered while they both were suffering beneath the hands of the Spaniards is also authentic.

DEDICATION
My dear Jebb,
Strange as were the adventures and escapes of Thomas Wingfield, once of this parish, whereof these pages tell, your own can almost equal them in these latter days, and, since a fellow feeling makes us kind, you at least they may move to a sigh of sympathy. Among many a distant land you know that in which he loved and fought, following vengeance and his fate, and by your side I saw its relics and its peoples, its volcans and its valleys. You know even where lies the treasure which, three centuries and more ago, he helped to bury, the countless treasure that an evil fortune held us back from seeking. Now the Indians have taken back their secret, and though many may search, none will lift the graven stone that seals it, nor shall the light of day shine again upon the golden head of Montezuma. So be it! The wealth which Cortes wept over, and his Spaniards sinned and died for, is for ever hidden yonder by the shores of the bitter lake whose waters gave up to you that ancient horror, the veritable and sleepless god of Sacrifice, of whom I would not 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 hero Guatemoc's gems and jars of gold, are the memories of true friendship shown to us far away beneath the shadow of the Slumbering Woman,* and it is in gratitude for these that I ask permission to set your name within a book which were it not for you would never have been written.
I am, my dear Jebb,
Always sincerely yours,
H. RIDER HAGGARD.
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 and affection of all who had the honour of his friendship. The author has learned with pleasure that the reading of this tale in proof and the fact of its dedication to himself afforded him some amusement and satisfaction in the intervals of his sufferings.
H. R. H.
March 22, 1893.
* The volcano Izticcihuatl in Mexico.

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
CHAPTER I
WHY THOMAS WINGFIELD TELLS HIS TALE
Now glory be to God who has given us the victory! It is true, the strength of Spain is shattered, her ships are sunk or fled, the sea has swallowed her soldiers and her sailors by hundreds and by thousands, and England breathes again. They came to conquer,