The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-01-10
rnE MORNING STAR AND CATHOLIC HEssENGEB JANUARY

van Arokel reached the centre Of the Flemsh
camp, gathered his ebbing strength to inter ID.
once moro the cry: Flanders! the Lion y ou'
his voice failed him, his life's blood was
drained, and he sank, still grasping the con-
quered standard, to rise no more.
On the left wing, in front of Messire Guys
division, the conflict was yet more fierce and
deadly. James de Chatillon charged the
guilds of Furnes with several thousand horse,
and had cut down many hundreds of them
Eustachius Sporkyn lay grievously behind the
line, and employed his remaining strength in
cheering on his men and urging them to hold
their ground; but the impetuosity OF the onset
was too great,-they were compelled to re-
treat Followed by large number of horse
men, De Chatillon broke the line; and the
fight was continued over the prostrate Sporkyn'
whose sufferings were soon ended beneath the
tramp of the cavalry.
Adolf van Nieuwland alone remained with |
| Guy and his standard-bearer they were now |
cut off from the army, and their death seemed
certain De Chatillon made most strenuous
efforts to get possession of the great standard
of Flanders; but although segher Lonke, who
bore it, had been many times thrown down, DE
Chatillon could not succeed in his attempt; he
|
dealt his blows in every direction upon the
three invincble Flemings. Doubtless these
could not have long have continued to defend
themselves against such q cloud of foes; but
they had previously made such good use OF
their weapons, that they stood surrounded and
protected by q rampant of slain. Mad with
rage and impstience, De Chatillon snatched
long spear from the hand of one of his horse
, men, and dashed at full gallop towards Guy.
, He would iufallibly have slain the Count; for,
+ occupied with SO many enemies, he did not
| notice De Chatillon's approach the spear
seemed to be already piercing his neck between
Q the helmet and the gorget when Adolf van
q Nieuwland swung his sword round with tho
j rapi dity of lightning the spear flew in pieces,
< and the life of his general was saved.
J. The same moment, and before De Chatillon
r had time to seize his sword again, Adolf sprang
K over the head of slain, and dealt the French
l. knight 30 terrible blow on the head, that his
y cheek, and the part of the helmet which COW
n cred it, were severed, and fell to the ground
>, The blood streamed from his wound; still he
persisted in defending himself; but two
% mighty blows from Adolfs sword hurled him
d from his saddle under the hoofs of the horses
y Some Flemings drew him out; and having car
n ried hin to the rear, hewed him in pieces
is taunting him the while with his merciles
N ferocity.
I'd While this conflict was pending, Arnold val
IN Oudenarde had come to the succor of the lef
IN wing, and changed the fate of the battle. In
Id men of Furnes, thus encouraged, returned wit
IN them: and soon the French were thrown int
IL hopeless disorder. Men and horses fell in sue
ke numbers, and the confusion of the Zoe was 8
Dir great, that the Flemings deemed the batti
won, and from the whole line pured forth
At loud and exulting shout:
gh "victory! Viotoryi Flanders! the Lion
he Whose is French is false! strike all dead
he And over all tho battlefield ragged the butcher
,he their arms, their bosoms, and their Ak
md smeared with gore, their hair streaming Wild
their features rendered undiscernable by mil
ain and blood and sweat, yet fixed in q grim Q
preston of bitterest hatred of the French al
and intense enj njoyment of the conflict
nut To be continued)