The Rodney telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1838-1840, 1839-06-11

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their approach-drayn up around their
standard, which, blazoned with the White
Draeon-long both the ensign and the war
cry of their race-was planted firmly in the
earth, surrounded by the dense ranks of heavy
infantry which formed the strength of their
array. Just as the charge began, William
rode out before the lines. and thus addressed
his soldiery:
Turn your hearts wholly to the combat!
set all upon the die, either to fall or con-
quer! For if we gain, we shall be rich
and glorious! That which gain, shall be
your gain; that which conquer, yours! IL
l shall win this land, we shall possess ii!
Know, too, and well remember this, that not
to claim my right, have come only-butto
revenge! Aye! to revenge our gentle ma
ton, on all the felonics, the pcrjuries, the
treasons ofthe English! The English, who,
IN profound peace, upon Saint Brice's eve,
ruthlessly slew the unarmed and defenceless
Danes -who decimated the bold followers of
Alfred, my kinsmn, and your countryman,
and slew himself by shameless treachery
On! fer revenge and victoryn
Then out dashed from the lines the bold
est OF his Vavasours, the Norman Taillefer,
singing aloud the famous song, well known
through every province of proud France
the song of Charlemagne and Rollo! tossing
aloft the while his long two handed war
sword, and catching it adroitly as it fell
while at each close of that proud spirit-stir-
ring chaunt, each warrior of that vast array
Numbered the burthen of the song-sGod
aid! God aide Then like storm of hail,
close, deadly and incessant,. went forth the
voleyed showers from arbalast and long-bow;
while infantry and horses charged in un-
broken order against the gates and angles
of the fort. But with a cool and stubborn
hardihood the Saxon infantry stood firm
Protected by The massive palisades, from the
appalling volleys of the archery, they hurled
their short and heavy javelins with certain
aim and deadly execution over their stout
defences; while their huge axes, wherever
they came hand to hand, shivered the Nor
man spears like reeds, and cleft the heaviest
mail, open at single blow! Long, and with
NIL the hot, enthusiastic vaIor of her race,
did the assailants crowd around the ram
parts; but it was all in vain, they could not
scale them in the face of that indomitable in
faniry; they could not force one timber from
its place; and they at length recoiled. weary
and halEsubdued, toward the reserve of Will
liam! After short cessation, again the
archery advanced, but by the orders of the |
Duke their volleys were no longer sent point
blank, but shot at great elevation, so that |
they fell in thick CALLING shower, striking
the heads and wounding the unguarded faces |
of the bold defenders. Harold himself who |
fought on foot beside his standard, lost his
right eye at the first flight, but not for that
did he desert his post, or play less valiantly |
the part of determined soldier and wise |
leader. Again with that tremendous shout |
of 'Notre dame, God aid! God aidn which !
had, in every realm of Europe, sounded the |
barbinger of victory, the horse and foot
rushed on to the attack; while from their
rear that heavy and incessant sleet of bolt |
and shaft and bullet, fell fast and frequent
into the dense ranks Of the still undaunted
English. AT no point did they force their
way, however, even when fighting at this
desperate advantage! AT no point did sim
gle Norman penetrate gate, or overtop
palisade; while at one entrance so complete
was the repulse of the attacking squadrons,
that they recoiled, hard pressed by the de-
tenders, to a ravine at some considerable
distance from the trenches, deep, dangerous
and filled with underwood and brambles;
these, as they fell back in confusion, their
horses stumbling and unable to recover,
were overthrown, and slain pell-mel, and
half defeated. One charge of cavalry, one
shock Of barbed horse would have ensured
the total rout of the invaders-but, wo! for
England on that day-cavalry she had none,
nor barbed horse, to complete gloriously the
work her sturdy footmen had commenced so
CALAMITY. Still, great was the disorder
great was the disarray and peril of the To-
reign soldery. The cry went through the
host that the great Duke was slain! and,
though he flung himself at the head of the
flyers, with his head bare that they might
recognise his features, threatening, cursing,
striking at friend and foe with undiscrimn-
ting yiolence-it-was we'll nigh an hour be-
fore he could restore the resemblance of any
disciplined order. This, once accomplished,
he advanced again; and yet'a third time,
though he exerted every nerve, was he re-
pulsed at every point in terrible disorder,
and with tremendous loss. Evening was
fast approaching, and well did William know.
that if the following morning should find the
Saxons firm in their Entertainments, his
hopes were vain and hopeless. The coun-
try, far and near, was rousing to the Saxon
war-cry; and the Normans, not to conquer.
was TO be conquered utterly! and to be con.
quered was to perish one and all! Valor
or open force, it was too evident, could af
feet nothing against men as valiant and as
strong, posted with more advantage. Guile
xyo q his Ia sf resource and emile q re,oI