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

by the noble Count Guy of Flanders, was one o
the fairest and strongest existing at that day
| From the broad moat which comprised it rosa
high and massive walls, above which again, OF
every side, multitude of watch-towers wer,
| conspicuous. Through the numerous loop
holes might be seen glancing the keen eye o
the bowmen and the sharp steel of their ar
rows. Surrounded by the ramparts rose III,
pointed roofs of the lords dwelling, with their
| gilded weather cocks glittering in the sun. A.
the angles of the walls and in the forecouri
stood six round towers, which served for hurl
ing missiles of all kinds upon the foe, to kee,
him aioof from the body of the building. A
single drawbridge crossed the moat, and made
a way from the island fortress to the surround
ing woods and vales
AS the knights drew near, the sentinel gave
the sign to the guard within, and Immediately
the heavy gates creaked upon their hinges.
The tread of the horses was already sounding
upon the bridge, and the French knights
passed on into the castle, between the rows OF
Flemish infantry drawn up in arms to receive
them. The gates closed, the portcullis fell,
and the drawbridge slowly rose behind them.
CHAPTER IL.
The heaven was colored with SO pure a blue,
that the eye failed when it sought to measure
the skyey depths; the sun rose radiant above
the horizon the loving turtle. dove was sip.
ping the last dewdrops from the verdant
foliage.
Castle Wynandael resounded with one con-
tinual cry of hounds; while the neighing of
horses mingled with the CHEEKY tones of the
horns. But the drawbridge was still raised,
and the passing countryman could only con-
lecture what was going on within. Numerous
sentinels with crossbow and shield paced the
outmost ramparts, and through the loopholes
might be discerned mighty running hither
and thither of a multitude of armed retain
ers.
At last some of the guardians of the walls
made their appearance on the upper platform
of the gateway, and let the drawbridge down;
wide, to give egress to the hunting party which
now rode slowly over the bridge.
A magnificent cavalcade it was, and of right
high and mighty lords and ladies'. First rode
the old Count Guy of Flanders, on brown
steed. His features bore the expression of quiet
resignation and unuttered grief. Bowed down
by his eighty years and his hard lot, his head
hung heavily forward upon his bosom; his
cheeks were furrowed over with deep wrinkles.
A purple surcoat flowed from his shoulders
upon the saddle his snowy hair wound about
with kerchief of yellow silk, was like q sill
yer vase hooped with gold. Upon his breast,
on heart-shaped shield, might be seen the
black lion of Flanders, rampant in his golden
field.
This unfortunate prince found himself now,
at the end of his days, when rest and peace
would have been the fitting need for his long
tolls and struggles, thrust from his high estate
and robbed of all. His children, too, deprived of
their Inheritance by the fate of war, had only
a life of poverty and obscurity in prospect
they who should have been the wealthiest
among Europe's princes. But though beset
with enemies flushed with recent victory and
soreiy tried by fortune, the brave old count
yielded not TO despair one inch of ground in
his heart.
Beside him, and deep in discourse with him,
rode Charles de Valois, brother to the king of
France, who seemed DESTROYS of impressing on
the old count some views of his own into
which the latter did not very readily enter
The battle-sword at the French chiefs side
had meanwhile given place to another of less
formidable proportions, and the kneepieces,
too, were no longer to be seen.
Behind Charles trotted knight of naughty
air and gloomy aspect. His eyes rolled and
famed within their sockets and if perchance
they fell upon one of the French knights, he
compressed his lips, and ground his teeth SO.
violently that an attentive ear might have
caught the sound. Hard upon fifty years old,
but still in the fullest vigor of life, with broad
chest and powerful limbs, he might we'll pass
for one of the stoutest knights of his day. The
horse, too, on which he rode was much taller
than any of the rest, so that he showed a full
head above any of his companions. A glitter.
ing helmet, with blue and yellow plume,
heavy coat of mall and curved sword, were
all his arms, defensive and offensive his sur
coat which covered his horses Group with its
long skirt, was distinguished by the Flemish
lion. There were few knights of that day
who would not at once have recognized this
proud champion among thousand others as
Robert de Bethume, the old Count Guys eldest