The Cotton Factory Times. — 1891-06-19 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

VIII. Louis had known Sir Aubri well, and had esteemed him highly, and having once entertained a suspicion that the Chevalier had done the murder, he determined to prove it if possible. Louis caused Macaire to be arrested and brought to the palace. Thou he sent for M. Duval and the dog, and caused them to remain with him in a royal closet, where were assembled a score or more of courtiers, while the cavalier, with his guards, was in an adjoining apartment. By and by, at a signal from the King, Macaire was caused to speak aloud. The moment the voice struck upon the ear of the dog he started to his feet and growled savagely. Then his Majesty caused the door to be thrown open—on the instant the dog sprang through, selecting Macaire from a number atoned him, and springing upon him. Until this moment the hound had been as gentle as a kitten, suffering the eareseesof all who approached him with evident delight; but now he had become as a wild beast of the jungle, and would have killed his victim had he not been removed by force. Macaire was accused of the murder of Sir Aubri, out loudly protested his innocence; yet,, though the only evidence against him was that of the dog, he was not believed. The kiug was firm in his belief that the man was guilty. At that time—the first quarter of the thirteenth century—the trial by battle was in vogue; and often, when all other evidence had failed to convict, the accuser and the accused met in the lists, and decided the matter by personal combat; and it was universally believed that the Almighty Judge would surely give victory to the right. The King determined that the cause should he referred to the chance of battle—in other words, that the chevalier should meet the dog in the lists, and thence decide the question of guilt or innocence by the result of combat. The lists were fixed, and Macaire's weapon was s heavy cudgel, of his own selection, with which he anticipated an easy victory. The dog had a large, empty cask, or wine-butt, placed near at hand, to which he could retreat for breath. The assemblage gathered to witness the novel combat was immense. When the word was given, and the chevalier appeared in the arena, the dog sent forth one wild, savage howl of fury, then crouched low, and took in the scene. At length he seemed to comprehend that he was to be allowed to fight—to punish the murderer of his dear master, if he could; and he began to run around the man, avoiding all 'his blows; now leaping toe/ards him, then retreating; then flying around and around him; until the men was well nigh exhausted, when the dog, with one bound, fastened his fangs in his enemy's throat, and brought him to the earth. And there the avenger held him, never releasing his hold, but setting hie teeth harder and harder until, with a howl of agony, the man cried out that he would confess. He acknowledged that he was the murderer of Sir Aubri, and that he had done the deed in revenge. Two days later the Chevalier Macuire, convicted on his own acknowledgment, was publicly executed on a scaffold erected on the spot where the extraordinary duel took place.