The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-12-06
THE
LION OF FLANDERS:
OR THE
BATTLE OF THE GOLDEN SPURS.
THE
By HENDRIX CONSCIENCE.
Continued
OR THE

| lCoufinuedI
Deooninsk proceeded to the neighborhood O
the Town Hall, and knocked at the door of &
magnificent mansion. which was iately
opened to him.
"What will you, Flemingf" asked the ser.
want.
81 wish to speak with Messire de Montepay !"
Good; but have you srmsf for you folks
are not to be trusted.n
Whats that to youi" replied the Dean.
Go, and tell your master that Deconinck
would speak with him."
what! you Deconinckf then 'tis sure You
| have some mischief in hand"
With these words, the servant hastily de.
parted; and in few moments almost as
hastily returning, invited Deconinck to follow
him upstairs. Tho door of a small cabinet
opened and closed again, and the Dean of the
Clothworkers stood before the French Governor
of Bruges.
De Mortenay was sitting beside table, on
which lay his sword, helmet, and gauntlets;
he regarded his visitor with no small astonish-
ment, while Deconinck, with q low obeisanos,
opened his errand.
Messire de Mortenay," he commenced al
have put myself in your power. trusting in
your honor, and feeling sure, therefore, that 1
shall not have to repent of my confidence"
Certainly" answered do Mortenay; "you
shall return as you have oome."
Your magnanimity, noble sir, is o proverb
am ng u.s." resumed the Dean "and it is on
that account, and that you may see that We
Flemiugs know how to respect generous
enemy, that l now stand before you. The
Governor De Chatillon has condemned eight
innocent men of our citizens to the galIows
and has given up our town to the fury of his
soidiery; you must acknowledge, Messire de
Mortenay, that it is our bounden duty to
avenge the death of those who have thus SUI
fered; for what had the governor to lay to
their charge, except that they refused obe-
dience to his despotic will 7"
"The subject must obey his lord and how
ever severely that lord may punish disobe-
dieDce, it is not for the subject to sit in judg.
ment on his acts"
"You are right, Messire de Mortenay, so goes
the word in France; and as you are a natural
born subject of King Philip the Fair, 1t 10
itting that you should execute his commands.
But we free Flemings-we can no longer boar
he CALLING chain. The governor general has
arried his cruelty beyond oil bounds of en-
lurauce; be sure that ere long blood shall
low in torrents, and that, If the fortune of
var goes against us, and the victory is with
on, at least it will be but few wretched
laves that are left you for we have resolved, I
nee for, all, to conquer or to die. However, I
e that as it may, happen what willj-and it is
o tell you this that am come,-not hair of
our head all be injured by us the house in
'hich you abide shall be to us q sanctuary, i
nd Fleming shall set his foot across its
lreshold. For this Deconinok pledges you his 4
nth and honor" b
I" thank your cOuntrymen for this regard"
,plied De Mortensy; "but cannot accept O
le protection which you offer me, and indeed B
TALL never be in q situation to require it. o
Mould ought occur such you prophecy, it
ill be under the banner of France, and not 10 "
y house, that shall be found; and if / fall, n
will be sword in hand. Bat / do not believe o
lat things will ever come to such a pass; as Il
T the present instruction, it will soon be at q
end. But for you, Dean, do you make haste f
Vsy to some other land; that is what
unsel you as your friend" C,
F." No. MeSsire, will never forsake my v
untry, the land in which the bones Of my h
theirs rest pray you, consider that all q