The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-12-27
Morning Star and Catholic MESSENGER.
nav oRLEANs, sUNpAY. DECEMBER 81. 1874.

slated of archers, whose heavy cross bows hung
diagonally over their shoulders; while
uuiyer. filed with steel-pointed shafts, was
suspended at their side. They bore no other
dsfopsive armor than an iron plate, which was
fastened over their breasts by four straps OF
leather. Over the six other divisions, thou
sands of spears arose ten feet high into the air.
This weapon, the renowned good-day,' was
with reason much dreaded by tho French; for
with it @ horse might easily be pierced through
and through No armor could Withstand it's
formidable stroke the knight on whom it fell
was inevitably ENDORSED
On the same side stood also the light troops
of Ypres: their advanced division was COM
posed of Fl We hundred men, whose apparel was
rad as coral. From their graceful helmets
downy planes waved low as their shoulders
massive clubs, armed with points of steel,
stood with the butt-end at the feet of each
soldier; while the bilt, grasped by their
strong fists, rested against their loins. Small
mates of iron were buckled around their arms
and thighs The other divisions of this gal
liant host were all clothed in green, and their
unstrung bows of steel reared themselves high
above their heads.
The left wing was entirely composed of the
ten thousand men furnished by Breydel. On
one side of it the countless axes OF the
butchers flashed before the eyes of their COM
panions in arms, that they were Obliged to
turn away their heads from time to time,-so
keen aud dazzling were the rays of the sun re-
flected from these mirrors of steel. Inc
butchers were not heavily equipped; short
brown trowsers, and jerkin of the same color,
formed their emily clothing. Their arms were
bare to the elbows, according to their custom {;
for they took pride in display ing their compact
and brawpy muscles. Many were of fair CO M
plsxion, but embrowned by exposure to the
sun; huge scars, records of former comoats,
crossed their faces like deep burrows, and these
thew regarded as the urel-wreaths which at
tested their bravery. The features Of Breydel
Formed strong contr asst to the sombre sharp
cut faces of his followers; for while the fero'
cicus expression of most of these filled the be-
holder with terror Breydels appearance was
pleasing and noble. Fine blue eyes glowed
beneath his bushy eyebrows; his fair hair fel
in long wavy cu-ls over his shoulders; and &
short and delicate beard heightened still more
the graceful oval of his countenance. The
contour and expression of his features were
most pleasing when, as at this moment, he wa
full of Joy and content; but when excited by
passion, no lions face could surpass his counte
nance in hideous expressiveness: his cheeks
would gather in folds and wrinkles, he wonl'
grind his teeth with fury, and his eyebrow
would meet over his flashing eyes.
In the third wing were the men of Fnrnes
with the vassals of Arnold of Oudenarde an
Baldwin of Parenrode. The guildsmen c
Furnes had sent thousand singers aud fiv
hundred halberdiers; the former stood in tn
front rank, and were clothed entirely /
leather, that they might WELD their sling
without impeachment. About their loins wa
fastened white leather gIrdle, which held tn
round pebbles with which they supplied the
slings; aud in their right hands they carried
leather thong, in the middle of which was
hollow depression. These were slings-a fea
full weapon-which they welded with sue
fatal precision that the massive stones whis
they discharged at the foe very seldom MISE
their aim Behind these stood the halbeTdier
they were sheathed in iron, and bore hea'
halmets on their heads. Their weapon was
battle-axe, with u long handle; and above &
steel of the was thick, sharp-point
niece of iron, with which they were acct
Souned to pierce both helmet and armor,
that they gained tho name of helmet-cleave
The mon of Oudenarde and of Papenrode, W
were ragged on the same side, bore weapons
MI kinds. The first two ranks, indeed. &C
sisted entirely of arohers; but the oth'
aazried spears, clubs, or broadswords. I
Last wing, which completed the square, co
Prised all the cavalry in the army (elev
Hundred well-mounted men), whom Cou
John of Namur had sent to his brother CT
These horsemen seemed as though they VIZ
nade of steel and iron nothing else was
be seen except the eyes of the rider FASH
through the vizor, and the feet of his ste
which appeared beneath his trappings of ms
Their long broadswords rested on their m all
shoulders, and their graceful plumes fiuttei
behind them in the breeze.
The army was thus drawn up, in obedience
the command of their general deep silel
reiEned throughout the host; the few gu
tiOns of curiosity asked by the men-at-ar
were in so low q tone, that they reached