The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-09-06
llsrnlng Star and Catholic Messenger.


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Hzw ORLEANS. SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER o. 1874
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slseveless surcoat. Moreover, their long sword
hung down ut their saddlebows, and each on
was attended by his squire, bearing his ampl
shield Every knight bore his cognizance en-
broidered upon his breast, so that at glance
the name and descent of each might easily b,
known. At that early hour of morning the
travellers were little inclined for conversation
The heavy night air still weighed upon theil
cyolids, and IL was with the utmost difficulty
that they struggled against sleep. All rode
UPWARDS in silence, wrapped in kind OF
dreamy half-slumber.
A young man strobe along before them in
tho road. His long waving hair flowed over
his broad shoulders; eyes of heavens own
blue glowed and flashed under their brows (;
and young curly beard fringed his chin. He
wore q wooden jerkiu, drawn in to his waist
with q girdle, in which he bore the broad
bladed, cross-handled knife in it's leathern
sheath, at once the appropriate weapon and
distinguishing ensign of free Flemish burgh-
or. 1t might easily be seen, from the express
sion of his countenance, that the company to
which he was acting as guide was not to his
taste. Doubtless his heart was full of some
secEet design; for from time to time he cast
upon the knights look of peculiar meaning
Lofty of stature, and of unusual strength of
build, he stepped along quickly that the
horses could hardly keep pace with him at
trot.
They journeyed on thus for while, till at
last one of the horses stumbled over the stump
Of o tree, so that it came upon its knees, and
hod all min oil
knight fell forward, with his chest upon his
steed's neck, and was as near as possible meas
airing his length on the ground.
"How now I" exclaimed he in French "my
horse is gone to sleep under me-"
ayes, Messire de Chatillon," answered his
neighbor with q smile, "that ono of you was
asleep is plain enough"
Rejoice over my mishap, evil jester that
You are" retorted De Chatillon asleep w as
not. For these two hours past have had my
eyes fixed on those towers yonder, which are
certainly bewitched /; for the farther on we
ride, the farther off they seem to be. But SO
it is; the gallows will be ones portion ere one
hears good word out of your mouth"
While the two knights thus twitted one an
other, the others laughed right merrily at the
accident, and the whole cavalcade woke up out
Of its aomnolency.
De Chatillon had meanwhile brought his
horse upon its legs again; and, irritated with
the quips and laughter which resouuded from
every side at his expense, drove his sharp spur
latter the manner of the time, he wore but one)
Aercely into the animals side, which thereupon
FIRST reared in fury, and then rushed headlong
among tho trees, where, within the FIRST hun
dred yards of its wild career, it dashed itself
against the stem of gigantic oak, ana sank
almost lifeless to the ground. X
Well was it for De Chatillop, that, Ms the
ehook came, he fell or threw himself sideways
from the saddle; notwithstanding this, how
over, he seemed to have had q severe fall, and
1t wac some moments before he moved either
hand or foot.
His comrades came round him, dismounteds
and carefully raised him from the ground. The
one among them who had been the readiest to
make merry over his former mishap seemed
now of all the most tenderly concerned for
him, and bore on his countenance an unmista-
BILE expression of real sorrow.
My dear Chatilleu," he sighed out, al atm
heartily grieved at this Forgive me my idle
words believe me, there was no harm meant"
Leave me in peace" cried the fallen knight,
now somewhat recovering himself, and break
ing loose from the arms of his companions az
Am not dead this time, my good friends all.
Think yOu, then, that have escaped the Sara
Gems to die like dog in Flemish woodH No;
God be praised, am still alive See St Pol,
swear to you that you should pay on the spot
for such ill-timed gibes, were we not too near
In blood for such reckoning between u.s."
Come, be reasonable, my dear brother /
pray you," replied st. Pol "But perceive
you are hurt you are bleeding through your
coat of mail"
Do Chatillon drew back the sleeve from his
right arm, and then noticed that a branch had
torn bis skin.
All! look" said he, quickly reassured,
" this is nothing, mere scratch. But do be-
lieve that Flemish rascal has brought us into
these accursed roads on purpose will inquire
into that matter; and if it be so, may forfeit
my name but he shall hang on this very oak of