The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-22


for your grey hairs, is willing to deal gracously
with you He grants you your life, on condi-
tion that henceforth you bear yourself as a
true and faithful subject of the French crown.
Cry France for everp aud you are pardonod.
With bitter smile of mingled scorn and in
dignation, the aged patriot replied
Yes were / such as you, I should do
your bidding like coward, and sully my
white hairs by the last act of baseness, But
God, know, will give me grace to defy your
threats and resist you to the death. You, vile
traitor that you are, are not ashamed, like the
reptile that tears it's mothers eptrails, to de-
liver over to the stranger the land that gave
you birth and nonrished you. But tremble for
yourself: have sons that will avenge me.
You shall not die peaceably in your bed and
you know that the words of an expiring man
fall not to the ground"
Van Gistel turned pale at this solemn denun-
citation. A terrible foreboding passed over his
heart, and he repented already of his gratified
revenge; for the dread of death is ever the
strongest feeling in a traitors soul. De Cha
tillon, mean while, had sufficiently read the old
Edwards determination in his countenance.
Well, what says the rebel 7" he asked.
Messre," answered Van Gistel, he SCOTS
at me- and despises the mercy you offer him"
"Hang him, then" was the stern reply.
The soldier who did the Office of executioner
now took the old man by the arm, and led him
unresistng to the gallows.
The priest had given his final blessing the
victim had set his foot upon the first round of
the ladder, and the rope was already about his
neck, when suddenly violent commotion
showed itself in the crowd, which all the efforts
of the soldiers were unable to subdue. Some
strong impulse from behind seemed to be COM
municating itself to the multitude, driving
some forward, others sideways against the
walls of the houses, and a young man, with
naked arms, and countenance intensely agi-
tated with rage and terror, forced his way
through into the open space in front. Once
clear of the obstruction of the tbropg he cast
a wild look round the square, and sprang for
ward with the speed of arrow, exclaimipg,
My father! my father you shall not die!"
Even he spoked the words he reached tho
foot of the gallows; his cross-knife flashed
aloft, and the next instant was buried in the
heart of the executoner. With single cry
he rolled expiring on the ground, while the
young Fleming seized his father in his arms,
threw him upon his shoulder, and fastened
with his sacred burden towards the crowd.
For moment the soldiers stood motionless
with astonishment, like SO many passive spec
tators of the scene; but De Chatillon's voice
speedily aroused them, and before the young
man had time to take dozen steps under his
load, more than twenty of them were upon
him. In an instant he placed his father behind
him, and confronted his assailants with his
knife still reeking in his hand. Some fifty
other Flemings stood about him, for he had |
already reached the foremost ranks of the null |
titude when overtsken by his pursuers so that
they had been compelled to push in among the |
throng in order to follow him. With what
rage were the hearts of the Frenchmep now
filled, as, one by one, they beheld their twenty
comrades bite the dust; for suddenly the by
ISLANDERS rushed upon the soldiers, and with
their knives stabbed them down without
mercy, while many a gallant Fleming, too,
persisted in the fray.
Upon this the whole body of the men-at-
arms made furious onset upon the citizens.
the large two-hanaed swords mo wing down the
helpless multitude, and the steel-clad chargers
trampling them under their hoofs as they at
tempted to escape. They fell not, however,
unavenged; for many q Frenchman gave his
hearts best blood to swell the crimson stream
that flowed upon the pavement. The father
and son lay one upon the other, both pierced
by the selfsame thrust; their souls had not
parted company upon that last journey. The
streets were thronged with fugitives. and re-
sounded everywhere with cries of terror each
one FASTENED to gain the shelter of his habita-
ton, doors and windows were closed and fas-
tened, and Bruges soon presented the aspect
of a city of the dead.
But the stiffness did not last long Soon the
Infatuated soldiery, fierce as untamed beasts
and thirsting for revenge, spread themselves
through the deserted streets, the Lilyards act
ing as their guides, and pointing out the
houses of the Edwards. Doors or windows
were instantly forced in money and goods
seized and carried off, and whatever was not
worth the trouble of removal broken and de-
stroyed. The terrified women, dragged from
their hiQiDp-Dlacea. wera anhiacto5 -