`Perhaps; but by repetition he made his point. And he was far from being alone in his determination to secure for the Indians equal rights with their conquerors. The first two Viceroys, Don Antonio de Mendoza and Don Luis de Velasco, also played a part that cannot be praised too highly. Both were humanitarians of the highest principles and would suffer no wrong to be done to the Indians. Between them, in fewer than thirty years, they brought order out of chaos, and made Mexico a land good to live in. The high standard they set was followed by many of their successors; and it should not be forgotten that for the three hundred years that Mexico was ruled from Spain, while the European nations were almost constantly at war, the people here enjoyed peace and security.'
`That's true,' Adam agreed. `The Pax Espanola in the New World lasted nearly twice as long as the Pax Britannica in India and the East. I imagine that few people in Europe, outside Spain, realise that.'
`Yet it is so. Our troubles began only when the so called “yoke” of Spain was thrown off, and the Church deprived of much of her power to ensure that the people did not become the victims of their baser instincts. Since then it has been one long tale of self seeking, injustice and blood shed.'
Breaking off, Father Lopez looked at his watch and exclaimed,
175
dear me, I have been talking too much! It is a quarter to eleven and we are due at the pyramid at eleven o'clock.'
Startled, Adam sat up straight. He had assumed that the ceremony would not take place for another day or two, and that he could be given warning of it. This pleasant talk about the Conquistadores had lulled him into a false sense of security. Uneasily he turned and looked at Chela. She was just lighting a second cigar. Smiling at him, she said:
`Women are not permitted to be present at such ceremonies, darling; so I can't go with you. But I know that you will acquit yourself nobly.'
Reluctantly, but putting the best face on the situation that he could manage, Adam said good bye to her and accompanied 'Father Lopez out of the hotel.
The night was warm and the garden scented by moonflowers. On leaving it they followed the road for some distance, then the priest turned off it and led the way along a bridle path. It was densely wooded on either side and it was not until they emerged from it, a quarter of an hour later, that Adam realised that it bypassed the Pyramid of the Magician to bring them out opposite the Court of the Nuns.
During their walk Father Lopez had made light conversation, to which Adam had replied only in monosyllables, as he was grimly wondering what form the ceremony would take. Now, as they approached the building, the priest addressed him formally:
`From now on, throughout the ceremony, it is required that the Man God should utter no word, except to make his declaration to the people, and return no obeisance that is made to him.' In silence, side by side, they walked the last few hundred yards.
From the Court there came a faint glow and, as they emerged on to one of the terraces, Adam saw that there were lights and people in some of the rooms that opened on to it. As he passed one of them, he glimpsed several priests in their surplices kneeling in prayer, and in another a set of gorgeous Indian robes arranged on bamboo frames. Halting at the entrance of the third room they came to, Father Lopez stood aside and signed to Adam to enter.
Five or six priests were in the room, all clad in rich vestments. Among them Adam instantly recognised Don Alberuque. All the other priests were Indians or Mestizos. Again, as Adam met the glance of the Monsignor's black, lustreless eyes, he felt that he had known him somewhere before. He still could not think where, but his instinctive feeling of dislike for the man was stronger than ever. At Adam's appearance, they all genuflected, then Alberuque said to him:
`In the name of an oppressed people, I welcome you, Exalted One. Our Lord Jesus has sent you to be their saviour. Your name has been revered by them for countless generations. In the future it will be accounted blessed.'
Adam's face remained expressionless and, in accordance with Father Lopez's instructions, he did not reply. All the priests genuflected again, then Alberuque said, `Be pleased, Exalted One, to accompany Father Lopez.'
Turning about, Adam rejoined the little priest outside and was led back along the terrace to the chamber in which he had noticed the robes. Four Indians in semi clerical attire, whom he took to be deacons, were there. After going down on their knees before him, they stood up and set about robing him.
The garments were similar to those that Father Miguel had transferred to him before he had sacrificed the pig at San Luis Caliente, but infinitely more splendid. The long cloak was of fabric upon which had been stitched thousands of small feathers of many colours, arranged in intricate patterns. There was a breastplate, knee guards, anklets and wristlets of solid gold, set with many precious stones that glittered in the light from the lanterns. The sandals were of soft, gilded leather and the shield of tough hide, the latter having a zigzag design formed by hundreds of turquoise studs and a fringe of quetzal feathers sewn all round the edge. Round his neck they put seven necklaces from which hung dozens of tiny gold bells and from the lowest of them depended a wonderful carved jade cypher. The enormous helmet was a magnificent affair, composed of gold, gilded leather, jewels and a huge plume of feathers. It was so tall that, had Adam worn it in the room, the feathers would have brushed the ceiling; but his attendants were too short to crown him with it and looked uneasily at Father Lopez. The priest spoke to them in Maya, then said to Adam in Spanish:
`It is desired that the people should see the Man God's golden hair, so he will carry his head dress slung to his shield.'
When it had been fixed securely, Adam was handed a seven foot high staff, the top of which was crowned by a plumed serpent made of jade and gold set with jewels, which he recognised as the symbol of power.
During his robing he had been speculating unhappily on what form the ceremony would take. It seemed probable that it would follow the same lines as that at San Luis Caliente: a Mass followed by the sacrifice of several pigs. To have to witness the sacrilege of a Mass combined with pagan rites was bad enough, yet he was even more revolted by the thought that he would again have to tear the heart out of a live pig.
But he was committed now. Not only had he given his promise to Chela, but in retaining the goodwill of Alberuque lay the best chance of sabotaging the conspiracy and preventing a bloody civil war. So, hateful as his part would be, he knew he must go through with it.
As he stood there, miserably contemplating the hour or more hat lay ahead, he heard footsteps ringing on the stone terrace outside. A moment later, the head of a procession came into view. A consisted of some twenty priests, all Indians and Mestizos, with he exception of Alberuque. Many of them were carrying banners upon which Christian saints were depicted and, in their midst, Alberuque was bearing the Host. As it passed, Father Lopez and he deacons went down on their knees and Adam bowed his head.
When the last of the priests had passed, Adam instinctively took a step towards the doorway, intending to follow; but Father Lopez whispered, `The presence of the Man God is not yet required. He will show himself to the people only at the end of the ceremony.'
Adam's heart lightened a little then. The end of the ceremony must surely mean not only after the celebration of the Mass, but also after the sacrifice; so he could now hope to escape having to perform that horrible rite.
While the minutes ticked by, his mind turned to Chela, by now probably in bed. But it could not yet be midnight, so other guests at the Hacienda would still be up and about. It was easy to picture the handful of rich, elderly Americans, sitting over their Bourbon on the rocks, or J. B. `Rare' whiskies, telling new acquaintances of other trips they had made in recent years, of their young people at the universities, of their summer places at Cape Cod and winter ones in Florida. Pleasantly courteous to one another, laughing quietly now and then; entirely normal citizens of the modern world.