The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-10-18
THE
THE
LION OF FLANDERS;
OR THE
BATTLE OF THE GOLDEN SPURS.
OR THE
by HENDRIX CONSCIENCE.
TContinued. 1

No sooner had the Clothworkers heard that
their Dean had disappeared, than their rage
became perfectly ungovernable. Instead of
making further search after him, they hurried
off in detachments to the houses of the prin-
cipal Lilyards, forced them open, and broke
and destroyed every thing in them; but of the
Lil-ards themselves not single man was to
be found they had all foreseen the visit, and
had been too prudent to await their coming.
Just as Breydel was about to leave the
palace, with thoughts full of despair and VEN
geance, an old grey-hesded fuller came up to
him, and said:
Master Brey dol. you know not how to
search. There is another dungeon Mt the
farther end of the building, as have good
reason to know; for Mt the time of the great
disturbances, one mortal year of my life did
lie there. It is u deep underground hole; be
pleased to follow me-"
Accordingly, Breydel, with several others,
followed the old man; and they passed on
through many passages, till they reached q
small iron door. Here their guide took
sledge-hammer from the hand of O smith who
was with them, and with stroke or two
broke the lock but the door still refused to
open. Then, in q transport of impatience,
Breydel snatched the hammer from the fuller,
and struck the door such blow, that all the
fasteuings by which it was imbedded in the
wall became loose, the door fell from its place,
and at once Afforded them ready entrance in to
the dungeon.
In one corner stood Deconinck, fastened to
the wall by a heavy chain. No sooner did
Breydel perceive him, than in transport OF
Joy he sprang towards him, clasping him in his
arms. as q brother that had been lost, and was
found agaiu.
80 masterw he cried, chow happy is this
hour to me. knew not till now how much l
loved you!'
AZ thank you, my brave friend, n was De-
couinck's answer, while he cordially returned
the butchers warm embrace; ~ knew-well
that you would not leave me in in the dam
geon; 1 knew that Jan Breyders was not the
heart for that. No he that would see
Fleming of the true metal, let him look at
you p
Then turning to the bystanderS, be ez,>
claimed, in tone of feeling that touched the
hearts of all who heard him
"My brethren, this day you have delivered
me from death! To you belongs my blood; to
the cause of your freedom devote every
faculty of my being. Regard me no longer IS
one of your Deans Of Guild, a. q Clothworker
living among you, but as man that has
sworn before God to make good your liberties
against their foes. Here, in the dark vaults OF
these dungeons, let me record the irrevocsble
oath: My blood, my life, for my beloved
countryp
A cry of Long live Deconinckp overPow-
cred bis voice. and long re-ecboed from the
walls. From month to month the cry passed
ON. and soon resouuded over the whole city.
The very children Hsped out, Long live De-
coninck !"
A file soon relieved him Of the chain with
which he had been fastened to the wall, and
the Dean of the Clothworkers proceeded along
with Jan Breydel into the vestibule- the
palace but the irons on his hands and feet
still remained, and were no sooner perceived
by the people, than cries of fury again burst
from every mouth. Every beholder's cheek
was wet with tears at once Of joy and rage
snd again, with still greater energy, reSounded
the cry, Long live DeeOninck
And now tho closhwOrkerS pressed abont
tbeir Dean, and, in their exaltstloD, raised
him aloft upon the bloOd-stained shield Of ono
Of the soldlsrs whom they had killed. IN vain