The daily gazette., 1878-12-23
TuE RIDERS OF THE GREEN
BALDRIC.
A ROMANCE OF FEUDAL TINES.

| y
III appearance and in condition from what
IL was III those times long ago.
Louis Nj. was King of France, but
KING only in name. The great feudal
lords OF the provinces were sovereign
princes, holding government in their own
right.
The kings of Christendom themselves
were little else than robbers OH a large
scale.
1t was a dull, lowery day, the seven
teenth OF August, in the year of our
Lord Fourteen Hundred and Fifty-eipht,
at Alsdorf, which was then within the
Grand Duchy Of Luxembourg. and the
summer residence Of the grand duke.
On this dismal August day, the Grand
Duke John stood in the outer court of
his castle, the gates of which were thrown
wide open, looking upon number of chill
dren who were at play upon the yelvety
sward. Three of them were childrea of
his own-two boys and girl-and three
others were children of one of his forest
ers, Galcn Picard by name. OF the
dukes children Isabella was the oldest.
having seen eight years. Leon was next,
aged six years {; and the youngest was
Alfred, aged four. The children of the
forester were two girls and boy, and
very nearly of the same ages respec lively
rs their titled mates. The boys had been
fOster-brothcrs, the wife of the forester
having nursed them both.
On the present occasion the children
were engaged in sport, and the dukes
face Frightened rs their gleesome shouts
and laughter reached him. BY and by
the two foster-brothers, seeing him, ran
towards him.
"lIa, my little heroes " he cried, as
the boys came up. "where are your quar-
ter slaves ? haven't seen you exercise
for long time"
With whoop and bound the lads
dashed away, and very soon returned
with the staves-two sticks of tough ash
wrought very nearly into the form of
broad-swords; and at signal from the
duke they took position, and went at the
sword exercise, showing very plainly, ere
a dozen passes had been made, that they
had eagerly pursued the sport, and that
they had been blessed with the teaching
of thorough master.
John of Luxembourg was not the only
witness of the boyish passage at aims.
In the doorway Of lodge close at hand
stood woman, the mother of Leon
Picard, and she called a companion to
witness.
"Tell me, Mignon," the mother said,
'are they not brave boys?
"lndeed they are, Barbara, and were it
not for the clothes who could tell which
was the lords son?"
;,I
Picard. "If my own Leon had on the
fine velvet and the gold which the other
Leon wears, he would be every bit as
grand"
"Foolish woman," said voice behind
her, "outward apparel cannot make a
hero. Look. See your Icons weapon
flying through the air."
She turned, and beheld the dukes
secretary, Zeta Bethtoni, who, besides
attending to his masters literary wants,
acted as tutor to the children.
As might be gathered from the excla-
nation of the scribe the playful combat
between the two boys had resulted in
perching victory upon the banner of Lux
embourg. The duke regarded his son
proudly, and then turned with smiling
face TO the forestors son.
"My little hero" he said, 'your effort
just put forth shows to me that you are
worthy to own sword, and you shall
have one and you shall go to Bittburg
tomorrow and elect one for yourself,
and my own Leon and our good Beth
toni shall 60 with you. All! here comes
Bethtoni, ! see Mistress Picard yon-
der, and the other children are run
ming towards her. Do you two join
them"
Suddenly the tramp Of horses was heard
and Bethtoni rushed forward TO close the
main barbican.
"Did you not see the advancing troop,
my lord ?" he asked of the duke.
II saw few horsemen ride out from
the wood"
"And marked you not who led them ?"
81 saw knight in black armor."
'.Oh, John of Luxembourg, if you
knew all that | know you would be
aiming. Those are the Black Riders of
Gravelot, and he at their head is Maillo-
tin du Bac"
"Du Bac!" cried John, with a con-
vulsive start. "The Black Riders They
have Joined the Count de Charolais."
"Aye,-and for that reason they are
here! Can you not understand? The
count means, if possible, to possess him
self of Luxembourg. l received hint
to that effect from awayfaring monk not
an hour since, and was on my way to you
with the intelligence but now, little
thinking the enemy were so near"
The duke saw his danger, and hastened
into the keep to arm himself.
The BLACK Riders of Gravelot Castle
had long been the terror of the whole
country. Originally marshalled by a
Bohemian Knighterrant, Sir Raoul de
Langwolf, they had grown from score
to a troop of full two hundred, and not
only did they attack castles and Villages
for purpose of plunder, but they had
more than once successfully turned heir !
arms against incorporated cities. Lately |
this lawless force had accepted service
under the Count de Charolais, and John |
of Ldxem ourg knew very well that
they would not thus appear upon his
domain without direction from their lord
and master.
By the time the leader of the Black |
Riders had reached the outer gate the |
approaches 20 the castle had been secur-
ed, and its forces mustered to the num-
Der of tive-and-sixty. OF the enemy
IL enemies they Were-there were full |