The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-01-10
NUMBER 4s.


the Groeningen brook, which, though now bat
narrow water-course, was then broad
stream; and its shelving marshy banks or-
posed an insurmountable obstacle to the Froneh
cavalry. Their right wing rested on the poE-
tion of the walls of Courtrai near st. Martin's
Church, and round the loft ran n tributary OF
the Groeningen brook, that the Flemings
were posted, asit were, on an island aud any
attempt to disledge them must needs be difa-
cult and perilous. The space which separated
them from the French army was succession
of meadows, which lay very low, and were
watered by the Mosscber brook, which COM
verted them into a kind Of marsh. Thus th@.
French cavalry were obliged to cross tive
brooks before they could come into action;
and this q very difficult and tedious opera
tion, because the horses' hoofs had no hold on
the moist and slippery ground, and at every
step the poor animals sank up to their knees In
the morass.
The French general took account of this;
he made his plans as though the field of battle
were firm and hard ground, and directed tho
attack in manper quite at varsnce with the
rules of strategy. So true Is 1t that excessive
confidence renders men blind.
Towards break of day, bafors the sun had
shown his glowing disk above the horizon, the
Flemings were drawn up in order Of battle On
the Groeningen brook. Guy commanded tha
left wing in person, and he had about him an
the lesser guilds of Bruges. Eustaehius
Sporkyn, with the men of Furnes, occupied tho
centre; tho second corps was commanded by
John Borluut, and numbered ave thousand
men Of Ghent; the third, composed Of tAa
clothworkers and freemen Of Bruges, was IaI
by William van Gulick. The right wing,
which extended as far as the oity.walls, eon-
sisted of the butchers, with their Dean Jan
Breydel, and the iceland nen-at arms and it
was commanded by Messire John van Renesse.
The remaining Flemish knights had no di6nits
post assigned them, but moved hitheF Aad
thither, wherever they deemed their presence
and aid necessary. Tho eleven hundred h0Eps-
men Of Namur were stationed IN the rear, be-
hind the limo of battle; they were not to be
brought ut once into action, lest they should
throw tho infantry into disorder.
At length the French army began TO prepare
for action. A thousand trumpets uttered their
shrill voices, the horses neighed and weapons
ratified on all sides, with . sound so ominons in
the darkness, that the FlemiBgs felt cola
shiver thrill through them. What cloud of
foes WAS about to burst upon them. Bat 20
these valiant men this was nothing,-they
were going to die, that they knew; bat tbsir
widowed wives and children, what would be-
come of them At that solemn moment their
thoughts reverted to those most dear to theaa.
Fathers thought bitterly of their sous, doomed
to iron bondage; sons bewailed in sgoDy theiT
grow headed fathers. left the helpless prey Of
emotions-iu1exible resolution aud crushing
anguish and when these meet in mems hs=ses
in presence of threatening danger, thry COM
bine and fuse into q transport of rage and fury.
And this effect was now produced on the Flem-
ings; their gazs was fixed and GnpityinGs
their teeth we're clenched in fierce resolve, .
burning thirst made their mouths dry and
parched, and their breath came thick and
rapid from their painting breasts. An sR-
palling silence reigned throughout the aEmyf
no one expressed his appreheusions or feelings
to his comrade all were plunged In thouRh4s
of painful gloom. They were standing thas
drawn up in q long line, when tho sun ross
above the horizon, and disclosed to them the
camp Of the French.
The horsemen were 90 numerous, that thsir
spears stood thick a. cars OF corn ct harvest
time. The horses of the advanced OOlaaoa
paved the ground impatiently, and besPsinkls&
their glittering traPPings Of steel with HAkss
Of suow-White foam. The trumpets sent thOir
lively tones, like some festal rejoicing, -
mipGle with the signing Of the trees in theNeor-
lander wood and the morning brceEe played
wantonly with the waving folds of the stand
ards, and with the streamers attached to the
spears Of tho cavalry. At intervals. sbo vOies
Of the general was heard above this tnmait 81
war; and the war cry, NOell NOoll FFaneo
Rranesr arose from one company; ana - Il
was caught up By each in quick saeesusions q
aealcaing echo ran thgapeh the Whela hart.