The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-04-26
THE REVENGE OF HUGoLINE.

ache with watching: pray heaven the Norman mas
not gained the dayw
Thus spoke Redwald the Saxon, as he sat in one
of the t,rrets of his castle, which stood on an
almost inaccessible rock on the coast of Sussex.
She sun was fast sinking in the west, and poured
flood OF golden light on the waters of the Chan
mel; but the scene had no charms for the aged
chief: his four brave sons had joined Harold their
king, and this was the day on which the Norman's
power would be tried. For three hours had Red
wad sat in torturing suspense, awaiting the issue
of the combat. Twilight had spread its thin veil
over the surrounding country, when, as the chief
descended in despair from the turret, the caterng
of horses hoofs was heard and four horsemen rode
into the courtyard. Their steeds were jaded, and
their armor was hacked and splashed with blood.
"Ah! Hugoline, my brave boy!' cried the aged
Redwald, as he received in his arms the foremost
horseran, who had dismounted with all haste.
cart thou returned scathless!-Is the Norman
driven back, or slain, or"
--sHarold is downp' cried the youth, wildly,
and the blood of Gurth and Leofwynne crimsons
the turf! Father, we are lost-the Norman lion
-"Ha!" cried Redwald eagerly, ''what wouldst
thou say?-Not dead-no, thy tongue dares not
utter that word. Thou wouldst not tell me that,
and stand here unharmed."
"Father," replied the youth, "they are dead,-
my kinsmen here saw them fall. The Norman
host has scattered all our force; but there is time
to save thee from their vengeance"
"Away with thee" shrieked the old chief
s'Away! or bring me back thy brothers, Where's
Edwin, Kcnrick, and Ela!-coward, hast thou
deserted them in the hour Of peril' Hence with
thee oh that could WELD weapon again."
"This is madness, my father, replied Hugoline;
ssI did all that man could do for them: the shaft
that slew Edwin grazed my face. See you this
hacked buckler! it opposed vain resistance to the
axe of Norman knight, who with his followers
| slew Kenrick and Ella
| "'Tis false! bastard as thou art" cried the old
chief. "By the soul of Hengist! thou art no son
| Of mine-hence with thee. Now, the Norman
may come and DO his worst, for all loved is lost.
My monarch slain, and my brave boys too"
"Father," said Hugoline, 81 am no coward ask
my kinsmeh here if / finched from the fight till
my brethren fell. King Harold thought me no
craven when struck my jayelinl Through the giant
Dane, who kept the bridge at Stamford. left
the field to save thee, for the Norman's cry is up,
and woe to the armed Saxon that escapes not his
clutch. Quick, let fne convey you to the waters
edge, boat lies behind yon rock"
At this moment horn was sounded at short
distance, and loud shouts were heard. @
"Ahr' cried the gallant youth, 'the bloodhounds
have followed at our heels. Look to the gate,
Waltheof-we will die here!" Then turning to
his aged sire, he continued, "Father, have not
deserved this; had it not been for thee, would
not have left that bloody fatal field alive"
In obedience to the command of Hugoline, his
kinsmen and serfs had secured the gate, and pre-
pared the engines the walls, determined to resist
their pursuers to the last. The aged Redwald,
somewhat appeased by the protestations OF his son.
encouraged his followers to hold out the castle
against the Norman soldiers, who were now arrlv-
ed at the gate. They were headed by knight Of
gigantic stature, mounted on horse correspond
ing in size with its rider, whose surtout of azure
on which was embroidered a VOLTS head, erased
now splashed with blood, gave evident token that
the wearer had not been idle in the days strife.
''Saxon," said the knight addressing Hugoline
who stood ON the ramparts with his followers
sresistance is vain; open your gates, or, by the
light of heaven, ye shall all swing in the night air.
''Norman dog!" shouted Hugolne, eve feal
thee not--do thy worst, we can but die!''
| Ssro al tba Gp;n tfthoii ar
working thine own destruction; once more com
mand thee to admit us or thou shalt see that Lupus
keeps his word"
1'Thy word, base plunderer," said Hugoline
''The men thou seest around me shrink not from
the swords of your followers; think ye that idle
threats will fright them"
The Norman's countenance lowered, and it was
some time before he replied to this speech; a
length he spoke, not, however, 10 Hugoline, bu
to his father, who had been an attentive listener tc
the colloquy.
cold man." said he, ''has this malapert boy thy
countenance! Bethink thee Of thy peril, and give
us entrance Woe to him who provokes the ven
geance OF the duke of Normandy, now your king. =
4 "Norman, replied the old chief, as his dim eye
kindled with ire, "thnk ye that in one battle the
force of England can be crushed! No! kinsmen
of the slain Harold yet live, and will ayenge his
death-for me, / can die here!' i3
Lupus ground his teeth with rage, and replied
fierceiy--
"sFis well for thee, grey beard, to yaunt thus,
but know that ifyour castle be not rendered up by
moon-rse, thou and thy kinsmen shall be consum-
| ed in it.'' IS ss.l Al. M
He pointed to the horizon as he spoke, which
was beginning to brighten, though the moon had
not yet appeared. A pale light glimmered on the
Channel, which served to distinguish the sails of
those ingitives who had quilted their native shore
after escaping from the disastrous conflict
The Norman soldiers, in the mean time, kindled
fire, and lit several torches. Hugoline watched