The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-01-17
TIL
THE
LION OF FLANDERS;
OR TIE
BATTLE OF THE GOLDEN SPURS.
,nY HENDRIX CONSCIENCE.
tContinued.I

| IConGnued.l
While the frat division Of the French arm,
wns thus defeated and destroyed, the Senes
chal dArtois stood with the second division
at distance from the Flemish camp. As The
front of the enemy was not extensive enough
to admit of a simultaneous attack with his
whole army, he had not thought it necessary
to advance. He knew nothing of the fortunes
Of the battle, but concluded that his troops
were certainly victorious for otherwise, he
thought, some Of them wonld have retreated.
In the meantime he sent Messire Louis de
Clermont with four thousand Norman cavalry
through the Neerlander wood, to take the left
wing Of the Flemings in flank. De Clermont
had the good fortune to find firm ground on
this side; he dressed the brook without losing
a man, and fell suddenly on the division OF
Guy. Attacked in the rear by fresh troops,
while they were scarcely able to keep De Cha
ti1ion's men in check, they found It Impossible
to offer any resistance The first ranks were
broken, and cut TO pieces; the others wore
thrown open into confusion, and oil this part
Of the Flemish army gave way and reiterated.
The voice Of the youthful Guy, conjuring them
by the memory of their fstherland to stand
firm, inspired them with courage enough but
;
tack was too great; and all that they could do,
In answer to their generals appeal, was to
mako their retreat slow and orderly as pos
sible
AT this moment Guy received 30 violent o
blow on his helmet, that he fell forward on the
neck of his horse, and his sword dropt from
his hand. In this position, stunned and giddy.
be coold no longer defend himself and would
certainly have perished had not Adolf conae to
bis rescue. The young knight sprsng in front
Of Gny, aud welded bis sword so skilfalIy and
20 vsiisntly, that tho Frenchmen were effec-
tually prevented ftom striking at the Count.
In q short time his arm Waxed weak and weary
10 this desperate conflict his blows became |
ever clover and weaker the countless strokes |
that fell on his coat Of mail made him feel his |
whole body bruised and swollen, and he was
already on the point Of taking q last farewell
# the world for be seemed to SEQ death bec-
Zouing to him in the distance. In the mean
ime Guy had been carried behind the line Of
'attle, and had recovered from his swoon. He
low looked with anguish on the perilous posi-
ion of his deliverer; and Selling another
word, he was in o moment at his side, and
ghting with renewed vigor. Many Of the
ioSb N6Hahb VI buo rLeuluRb nau U8bLeueu
fter him; and the French would have, been
ompelled to retreat, had they not received
resi- reinforcements by way of the HIGHLANDER
rood. The intrepidity of the Flsmings could
OF avail to check the advance of the enemy.
he cry "Fiandors the Lion I" was answered
y ''Noel Noel the victory is ours! death TO
be rebelsF'
The FleminRs wSvered, broke their ranks,
nd were thrown into inextricable disorder. ,
he marvellous efforts Of Guy failed 70 prevent q
leir retreat; for there were atlesst ten horse Z
zen to one Fleming, and the horses either a
ampied them down or drove them beck with I
D irresistible impetus. Half Of them Aed be- {
re the advancing foe; great Numbers were I
ain, and the remainder were 90 scattered,
lat they could offer no resistance to the horse A
en-, and were puuSued to the Leye, where
any of them were miserably drowned. On b
70 banks ofthi river Coy continued to form f
few of his men in tOlerable order but the 81
lmbers of the enemy were too disproportion- d
ely great. Tho men of Furnes, although p
cir ranks were utterly broken, fought on o
It'll q mute and steady desperation the foam z
pod on their lips, the blood streamed over h
cir bodies from numberlcss wounds; but q