The envoys first pointed out the capital to Roger, and then another great city, some distance to the right, as being Tezcuco.

Beyond the lakes, a barrier of dark hills rose, forming a suitable background to the lovely prospect.
Upon the road, Roger learned much from the Tezcucan envoys of the character of the king of their country, and of the Emperor Montezuma.
The grandfather of the present king had been the greatest and most powerful of the Tezcucan princes.

In his youth he had gone through a series of strange adventures.

Tezcuco had been captured, the people subjugated by the Tepanecs, and the king killed when the young prince was but fifteen years old.

The boy himself was thrown into a dungeon, but escaped and fled to Mexico; and on the intercession of the king of that city was allowed to return, and to live for eight years, quietly, in a palace belonging to the family.
When the Tepanec usurper died, his son Maxtla, who succeeded him, determined to kill the rightful heir to the throne; but being warned in time Nezahualcoyotl escaped, and for a long time wandered about the country, hotly pursued by his enemies; who were many times on the edge of capturing him, but he was always sheltered by the peasantry.
At last the neighboring powers, fearing the aggression of the Tepanecs, united and routed them.