The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-12-06


every one was required to preseanse the words.
Schild en- vrend." At the first sound of their
foreign accent, the axe descended on their |
necks, and they fell groaning to the earth.
From every quarter of the city reseunded the !
| shout, "The Lion for Flanders! Whose is |
French is false; strike home!' Here aud there |
| q Frencbman fed before a Fleming, but only |
| to meet his death, few steps further on, from
the weapon of another foe.
This scene OF vengeance lasted until the sun
! stood high in the heavens. 1t shone on the
| dead bodies and dried the flowing blood of five
| Thousand of the French. Yes, in this night
| FIVE thousand aliens were offered to the shades
| of the murdered 'Flemngs. 1t is a bloody page
| in the chronicles of Flanders, that wherein
| this number is written.
Before the dwelling of De Mortenay was a
strange and appalling sight. thousand
| butchers lay spread out on the ground with
their axes in their hands, their threatening
revengeful eyes riveted on the door. Their
naked arms and their jenkins We're smeared
with blood around them were piled heaps of
uncounted slain But of all this they took no
heed. Here and there amongst the butchers
passed guildsmen, seeking amongst the slain
for the dead bodies of the Flemings, that they
might receive honorable burial.
Although their hearts were full of rage, yet
no word of reviling escaped the lips of the
butchers. The dwelling of De Mortenay was
to them sacred, in virtue of their plghted
word They respected Deconinck's pledge,
and had, moreover, great esteem for the gov
ernor of the city; 80 they contented themselves
with investing the entire quarter and keeping
careful watch.
Messire de Chatillon and Jan van Gistel, the
LiIyard, had taken refuge in De Mortenay's
house. They were overpowered by an extreme
dread for an inevitable death lowered before
their eyes. De Chatilon was man of courage,
t and awaited his fate with GOODNESS; but the
face of Jan Gistel was bloodless, and his
G whole frame quaked with fear. Notwithstand
ing all his efforts, be unable to conceal bis
C terror, and excited the pity of the Frerchmen
p even of De Chatillon, who was in equal
h peril. They occupied an upper room, over
b! looking the street, and from time to time they
yentured to the window, and gazed with awe
4 on the butchers, who lay in wait about the
|, door, like pack of wolves lurking for theil
II prey Once, as Jan van Gistel showed himself
\. a moment at the window, Jan Breydel caught
"a sight of him, and threatened him with his axe
n An an CRY, impetuous movement arose amongs
y the butchers all raised their axes towards thu
q The heart of the Lilyard throbbed will
es anguish, as he saw in the CLEAN of these thou
ia sand axes his doom of death and turning t.
"a his companions, he said, in a tone of despair
IN We must die, messires; there is mercy 70
ID us, for they thirst for our blood like fsmshe'
an hounds. You will never leave this place. NJ
!. God what shall we dot"
he at is a disgrace" replied De Chatiflon, t
ra1a aatt of he ham a Of
-. rather would I be slain sword in hand. BIZ
Ia so it must be-"
In The GOODNESS of De Clia.illon disquiet.d Va
be Gistel still more.
nv $50 it must be !" repeated be, 80 my Co
,nt what IA moment of agony! what torture the
of will irtict upon us! Bot, Meesire de Mortena
,,r pray you, for Code sake-you have much i
-. Huence over them---ask them now IL they vi
-. grant us our lives for o heavy ransom. Rath
-. than die by their hands, would give the
,sb whatever they might ask; no matter be
muoh."
III 81 will ask them, indeed, i" answered De M'
a, tenay; "but do not let yourself be seen,
ba they will drag you from the house by force
"a He opened the window and cried, " Mas
ga Breydel, Messire van Gistel wishes to ask y
~. | whether you will give him safe conduct TO
itb heavy ransom. Ask whatever You plea:
vas, name inc 'eq"ifeu sum- ""u w NV ue'"'
hat prey you"
ain Conraoes' suou'e" 'u0 N ~ n's "
noel panions' WIN oi''e1 As"s'' oH'-
;. of gold: They think they can buy off the reveI
of people with gold Shall we accept itf
"No, we will have the LilyardH cried
,om- ;7;o +ba +ro;tor- +bo :
nave - ,. 1,,;rw
lived 49,. o ,.. -, I;,o1 - '
How - 49,, - .o,,a - hi, oa +to,
=. he already felt the sharp edge of the axe n
l his n nIo,+onov oiIo,vod tho s+o,
own - ..o.,--oooo ., ,,.sa orro,, ,,a .
again called out
inc "You promised me that my house shoult
Uses (; os,lnm and sanctuary: wbv then do
axes violate the pledge you have giVen7"
RENE .Iuo iii not violate vour dwelIipp -
nem- =. -. 49,