The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-01-02

the summons, all stained with his blood, into
the pocket and then he fell and breathed his
last sigh.
Seeing the fall of the counts officer checked
the fury of Jean d'Ostcamp, he ordered his
servant to lower the portcullis, and to take
Min to the stables. But the little horse, as if
understanding all that had passed, suddenly
dashed out of the castle before the portcullis
fell. The gates were closed, and in order to
obliterate all traces Of the crime which had
been committed, the baron's servants hastily
dug grave and buried Ulryck.
In the mean time, Min reached Bruges and
stopped at the Counts door. Baudouin was
dining with some of his knights when a ser
want informed him that Ulryck's horse had
returned alone, bring back the ebony staff and
a bloody parchment in the pocket of his hous-
ing The Count of Flanders, with much
anxiety took the parchment, and hoping to
find Ulryck only wounded, he mounted his
horse, and attended bv his knights, set out for
the castle of Jean d'Ostcamp. So deeply was
he absorbed in thought of his sergeant, that he
did not observe that Min was following the
cortege.
In less than two hours after the murder had
taken place, the Count of Flanders was at the
gates of the castle. The portcullis was drawn
up; all trace of the crime had disappeared.
Jean d'Osteamp, who had forseen that visit,
was prepared tor it; he had assumed a
serene countenance.
81 come" said Baudouin, sternly, ito de-
mand my sergeant Ulryck of vou."
Z" No one has been here" said the baron
boldly; your attendants may search the cas-
ltle."
"What!" cried the Count, /" did not Ul-
ryck write you this summons and order you to
make restitution to the widow ?"
Jean dOstcamp coolly took the parchment,
and seeing that it was stained with blood,
calmly remarked:
"This summons is certainly intended for
me, but you see, my lord, that it is stained
with blood. 1t is possible that your Ulryck
has been assassinated on his way hither."
"And who would dare do it if not you p
said Baudouin he carried the lions staff,
and he was under my protection. knights,
search the castle and question the servants and
all whom you may find"
While the suite of the Count were executing
the rders, Jean dOstcamp remained with his
sovereign, eXcusing himself, protesting that he
meant to pay the widow, and speaking with so
much assurance that Baudouin began to believe
him innocent. This belief was streng hened
when the knights reappeared without having
discovered or learned anything. Baudouin,
deeply perpleXed at the commission of crime
of which he had lost all trace was about to re-
tire. He cast a last scrutinizing glance on
Jean d'Ostcamp, when he saw the baron sud-
| denly change countenance and become deadly
pale, while he seemed incapable of withdraw
| his eyes from the most distant angle Of the
courtyard Following their direction, Bau-
douin beheld Min, that he supposed at Bru-
ger, busily engaged in scraping up the soil
with his forefeet it had evidently been freshly
turned. He approached and saw great tears
in the eyes of the little animal. He ordered
his attendants to dig there, and they soon
found the body of Ulryck..
Jean d'Ostcamp, seeing that his crime was
'discovered, sought to escape, but he was seized
by the counts attendants. ne then fell on
his knees and begged for mercy. But the JUS
tice of Baudoun la Hache was memorable.
He ordered him to be led out of the CASTLE and
there on the public highway he condemned
him to die. Then sezing the bride of the lit
tie horse he said
"Be comforted, my poor Min; thou shalt
avenge thy master"
Two knights, Immediately comprehending
the counts intention, took Jean d'Ostcamp's
axe and poignard away from him, while two
. others tied his hands and feet, after which
they tied him to the tail the little horse which
for the first time in his life began to kick
then rushing through brambles and bushes,
soon tore the murderer of his master in pieces,
and returned to the city the same evening",
bringing only some hideous fragments.
The castle was destroyed by order of the
count the widows debt was paid and mass
for 100 years was instituted at ST. Donat for
the repose of Ulryck's soul.
Bandouin had the little horse placed in his
stables, intending to take care of him for the
sake of his master; but the fatigues of the day
proved too much for him, and the next morn.
! ing they found him dead Kansas Monthly.