The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-10-18

and fondly caress the deadly weapon with his
| hand-Jan Breydel knew not what fear was.
And now the Deans of all the different com.
paRies surrounded Deconinok, and waited in
silence for his counsel, it might almost be
said, his orders. He. after his manner W as in
no haste to give bis own opinion, and gazed
long in deep thought npon the French position,
till the restless Breydel impatiently exclaimed
" How now, Master Decouiuck, what saw
you' Shall we make a sally. and have at these
French fellows where they are or shall we LEFT
them come on, and pitch them into the ditch ?,
Still the Dean of the Ciothworkers made no
answer; still be stood plHnged in tbought bis
eye liked upon the epemy's works. and scan-
ming curionsly the great engines of assault
with which they were so ahundantly provided.
The by-sta&ders strained their eyes and wits
to anticipate from his couutenanee what his
speeoh would he; norght, however, was dis
cernihle but calm and cool reflection. Deoon-
ninck's heart. meanwhile, with all it's self.
possession and courage, was not one Of those
that were elate with hope and confidence. He
saw plainly that it wonld he impossible finally
to resis. the force of the besirgers; the gigan.
tic catnpults and lofty movable towers gave
the French considerable advantage over the
citizens. who were totally unprovided with auv
equivalent apparatus. He had soon convinced
himself that the town must in the end he
stormed. and so given up to fire and sword
He resolved, therefore, to recommend, sad as
it was, the one only possible means of safety
and, turning to his fellow-deans, thus SLOWLY
spoke:
Comrades, our need is urgent! Our CITY,
the flower of Flanders, has been traitorously
sold over our heads, or ratbar behind our
backs; and now onr only safety is in prudence.
However great the violence you must do to
your noblest feelings pray you we'll to weigh
that fact. As there is glory for tho hero who
pours ont his blood for the rights of his fel .
lows, even so there is bitter blame for the rash
and reckless citizen who brings danger upon
his country without need or without hope
Here, now, no resistance can avail us aupht
-n
Whatf what 7" interrupted impetuously
Jan Breydel; "no resistance can avail ma
What words are those 2 and what spirit are
they off"
Even of the spirit of prudence and true
P'triotism," answered Deconinck. We,,as
heseems good Flemings. can we'll die sword in
hand npon the smoking rnins of onr city.-oan
fall with shont of joy amid the bleeding
corses of our friends and fellows. We are
men hut onr wives, onr children can we
expose them, helpless and deserted, to the ex-
cited passions of our enemies ito their VEN
geance. and worse still mol courage has
heen given to man that he NAV protect the
defanceless ones of his kind We must sur
renderi"
At this word the bystanders started as thongh
thnnderbolt had fallen amidst them and
from every side looks of anger and euspicion
were directed against the Dean. To some, his
advice sounded even like treason all regarded
it as an insult. One universal cry of astopish.
ment burst from their lips:
Surrenderf weR'
Deconinck met with unaltered miep their
indignant looks, and calmly replied:
Yes, fellow-citizens; however much it NAV
ahict your free hearts, it is the only way that
remains to save our city from destruction.n
Jan Breydel, meanwhile, had listened to the
words OF the Dean in very fever of impa-
tiencs; and now, seeing that many of their
fellows were wavering, and half inclined to
consent to a surrender, his indignation burst
all hounds.
The first of you, )" he passionately ex claimed
F" that breathes word of surrender, I will Law
q corpse at my feet. Welcome glorious death
upon the body of q foe. rather than life with
dishonori Think you that and my Butchers
are afraids Look at them yonder with their
arms barred for the fight! How bravely their
hearts beat, aud how they long to be at their
days work And shall talk to them of sur
renderf They would not understand the word.
tell you, we will hold our own and he whose
heart fails him may keep house with the women
and children. The hand that would open yon
gates shall naren- be lifted again this. arm
shall do Justice on the ooward."---- co
Fuming with rage, he hastened off to his
guildsmen; aud pacing up and down in front
of their ranks:
Surrender! We surrender ~ he exclaimed
again and again, in q tone of mingled anger
and contempt; and at last, in reply to the
anxious questions of his comrades, he thus
broke forth:
" Heaven have mercy on us, my men. Ny
blood is ready to boil over at the Thought: it |