The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-15

great haste. The men of Bruges may be ready
and even now in arms but in the other cities
things are by no means SO forward as yet. For
my part, should gladly see the day of ven
geance postponed awhile, that we may collect
larger endorsements for ensuring it. Be as
sured that vast number of Lilyards, those
bastard sons of Flanders, will flock to the
French standard. We must remember that it
is the liberty of our country which is at stake,
and that, too, a single die; for if we throw
away our present chance, we shall hardly get
another. Once fail, and all we can do is to
hang up our arms and quietly submit"
AS the noble Borluut was universally famed
for his skill and experience in war, his speech
made deep impression upon many of his
hearers, John of Namur among the rest. Guy,
on the other hand, was strongly opposed to the
view he took of things.
"But bethink you, sirs," he passion ateiy ex-
claimed, that each hour of delay is an hour
of suffering for my poor aged father, and for
SO many of our unhappy kindred think what
my glorious brother Robert is now enduring
he that could not brook even the suspicion of
affront or wrong, aud whom we are leaving to
wear out his life in bondage, to OUT own eter-
nal disgrace and shame! Do not our captive
brothers call to US from their dungeons, asking
us what we have done with our swords, and
whether this be the way in which we acquit
ourselves of our knightly duryf And what
answer can we give themf None! none but
the blush of shame! No, I will wait no longer,
The sword is drawn; never shall it re-enter
the scabbard until it has drunk deep of the
blood of our foes! hope that our noble cousin
of Juliers agrees with me in this resolution"
"The sooner the better, it seems to me-" re-
sponded William of Juliers I'VE have looked
on long enough at the injuries done to Dur
house; longer than it were meet or manly to
do without attempting either help or ven
geance have put on my harness, and will
not lay it off till the need for it is over. go
hand and heart with my cousin Guy, and no
procrastination for mel!
"But, noble sirs," resumed John Borluut,
"allow me to observe, that we all need time to
get our forces on foot, especially if we are to
avoid giving the alarm to the enemy. If you
hurry on your rising prematurely, you will
lose the aid we might otherwise afford you. I
only repeat to you what Sir John of Renesse
has just been saying to me-"
at will be absolutely impossible for me-"
observed the knight thus appealed to, "to have
my vassals under arms in less than a fortnight;
and cannot but expressly conjure the Lords
|Guy and William to acquiesce in the views
which the noble Borluut has just expressed.
Besides, must remember that the German
men at arms whom we expect can hardly be
| brought into the field without some delay.
What say you, Master Deconinckf
=" So far as the words of so humble subject
as myself can be of any weight with the
| - T 60 10 e.,
act for the present with caution and prudence.
The number of fugitives from Bruges will GER
tainIy increase, and will necessarily betake
themselves to our camp; in the meanwhile
these noble gentlemen will have time to as
semble their vassals, and the Lord William OF
Juliers to return with his men at ar MS from
Germany"
The black knight did not seem to share the
opinions expressed ny the last speakers to
judge at least by the significant ovemente
of his head, which were plainly Indicative OF
dissent; but though evidently laboring under
q great desire to speak, he still preserved az
unbroken silence. At last, the Lords Guy and
William, finding the rest unanimous against
them, gave way; and it was eventually de-
cided that Deconinck, with the men of Bruges
should encamp at Damme and Ardenburg
while William of Julers should bring up hi.
forces from Germany, and Guy, the younger
his brothers troops from Namur. John o
Renesse agreed to set out for Zealand, and the
others each to his own lordship, to make things
ready for a general rising.
But at the moment that they were exchaug-
ing their parting greetings, the black knight
made signs to detain them.
"Nobie srs!" he began.
At the first sound of his voice all present
started, and each looked hastily round upon
the next, as if to see whether he could read his
own thoughts upon his neighbours countenance
While the others were interrogating each
others looks. Guy rushed forward and ex-
claimed:
oh, blessed hour! my brother my dearest
brother; his voice penetrates my Utmost
heart"
Thus saying, he quickly plucked the helmet
faom the head of the disguised knight, while
he clasped him in his arms with impetuous de-
| LIGHT