The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-09-13

Krekel. All now made ready for the sport.
The Flemish knights took each his falcon on
his wrist; the strings which held the birds
were made ready for casting off, and the
hounds were properly distributed.
knights and ladies were promiscuously
mingled together; by chance Charles de
valois found himself by the side of the fair
Matilda.
al cannot but think, fair lady," said he,
shat you will bear away the prize of the day |;
for finer bird than yours have never beheld.
What perfect plumage what powerful wings !!
and then the yellow scales upon her claws! Is
abe heavy on the hand 2"
eyes, indeed, Messire," answered Matilda /;
"and although she has only been broken to n
low flight, yet she would be quite match for
any crane or heronP
sit seems to me-" remarked De Valois, "that
she is somewhat full in flesh. Would it not be
better, lady, to give her her food softerf 7"
oh, no! excuse me; no Messire De Valois,"
cried the young lady, piqued for her reputation
for good falconry, al am sure you are wrong
there; my bird is just as she should be.
Something of these matters think know
have myself trained this noble bird, have
watched her by night, and prepared her food
myself. But quick, Messire de valois, out of
the way !; for just over tho brook there flies q
snipe."
While the prince fixed his eye upon the point
indicated, Matilda quickly unhooded her
falcon, and cast her off.
The bird gave four FIVE strokes with her
wings, and then circled gracefully before her
mistress.
COZ, off, dear falcon !" cried Matilda.
And at these words the bird rose skyward
like m arrow, till the eye could no longer fol-
low it; then for some moments, poised in the
air and motionless, she soughtIwith her piercing
eye her quarry there, afar off, flew the snipe,
and more swiftly than G stone from on high,
stopped the falcon on the poor victim, which
abe soon held in her sharp talons.
There, Messire de Valoisp cried Matilda ex-
ultingly snow you may soc that Flemish
lady can break hawk only look, how skil-
fully the faithful bird brings in her quarry!"
And the last words were hardly over her lips
before the falcon was again upon her hand with
the snipe in its talons.
"May have the honor to receive the game
from your fair hand :" asked Messire de valois.
But at this request the young lady's counte-
nance became somewhat troubled she looked
imploringly on the knight, and said:
take it amiss; but had already promised my
frst quarry to my brother Adolf, who is stand
ing yonder beside my father"
Your brother William, mean you not. lady 2"
"No; our brother Adolf of Nieuwland. He
ia 30 kind, so obliging to me; he helps me in
training my hawks, teaches me songs and tales
and plays to me on the harp; we all in truth
heartily love him."
tbno
de Valois had been regarding her with the
closest attention he soon, however, convinced
himself that friendship was the only feeling
which the young knight had excited in her
bosom.
II So" said the prince with smile, "he
indeed we'll merits this favor. Do not pray
You, let me detain you q moment longer"
And Immediately, without needing the pres
ence of the Other knights, she called as loud as
she could
adolf! Adolf" and joyous as a child, she
held up the snipo for him to see.
At her call the young knight hastened up to
her.
"Here, Adolf" added she, ais your reward
for the pretty tale you last taught me-
He bowed respectfully, and received the
snipe with pleasure. The others regarded him
half with envy, half with curiosity aud more
than one sought to decpner a tender secret
upon his countenanoe: but all such specula-
tions were in vain. Suddenly n loud exclama-
tion called every ones attention to the sport.
"Quiok Messire de Bethunew cried the
chief falconer; "loose your hawks hood and
cast her off: yonGer runs a hare"
A moment later, and the bird was lowering
above the clouds, and then swooped perpen-
dicularly upon the victim as it fed. 1t was u
strange sight to see. The hawk had struck it's
claws deep into1he hare's back as it ran, and
30 held fast to it, while both together rushed
onward like the wind. But this did not last
long for the hawk, loOsing one claw, seized
hold with 1t of tree, and with the other held
her prey 80 FAST that in spite of it's desperate
struggling there was escape for it. And
now several doss were uncoupled; these hur-
rying up, received the hare from the hawk, |
which now, rs if exulting in it's victory, how
cred aloft over the dogs and the huntsmen |