by G. A. Henty
CHAPTER XIII
A STARVING TOWN
Many of the leading citizens, hearing of Van Voorden's arrival, calledin the course of the evening. The conversation, of course, turned uponthe state of public affairs in Flanders; and Van Voorden inquiredparticularly as to the feeling in Bruges, and the sides taken byleading citizens there.
"That is difficult to say," one of the merchants replied. "Bruges hasalways been a rival to Ghent, and there has been little good-willbetween the cities. The lower class are undoubtedly in favour of Ghent;but among the traders and principal families the feeling is the otherway. Were Ghent in a position to head a national movement with a fairchance of success, no doubt Bruges would go with her, for she wouldfear that, should it be successful, she would suffer from thedomination of Ghent. At present, however, the latter is in a strait,the rivers are blockaded by the earl's ships, and the town is sorelypressed by famine. After the vengeance taken by the earl on the placesthat, at the commencement of the trouble, threw in their lot withGhent, she can expect no aid until she shows herself capable of againdefeating the prince's army."
"Of course, at present I know but little how matters stand," VanVoorden said. "I have been so long settled in England that I havehardly kept myself informed of affairs here. I am thinking now ofmaking Flanders my home again, but I would not do so if the land islike to be torn by civil war; I shall, therefore, make it my businessto sojourn for a time in many of the large towns, and so to learn thegeneral feeling throughout the country towards the earl, and to findout what prospect there is of the present trouble coming to a speedyend. France, Burgundy, or even England may interfere in the matter ifthey see a prospect of gain by it, and in that case the fighting mightbecome general."
"Is the feeling of England in favour of Ghent?" one of the burghersasked, anxiously.
"So far I have heard but little on the matter. The English have hadtroubles of their own, and have had but little time to cast their eyesabroad. Nevertheless, if the struggle continues, they may remember thata Van Artevelde was their stout ally, and that Ghent, after his murder,again submitted itself to them. There is, too, the bond of sympathythat Flanders accepts the same pope as England, and that in aiding herthey aid the pope's cause, and strike a blow at France, with whom theyare always at daggers drawn. Therefore, methinks more unlikely thingshave happened than that; if France gives aid to the earl, the Englishmay strike in for Ghent."
"I trust not," one of the burghers said, earnestly, "for Sluys mightwell be the landing point for an English expedition, and then the firstbrunt of the war would fall upon us."
"I say not that there is much chance of such a thing," Van Voordensaid; "I was but mentioning the complication that might arise if Ghentis able to prolong the struggle."
On the following morning the party started from Sluys. They made a goodshow, for Van Voorden had the evening before engaged two mounted men,well-armed, to ride with the young knights as men-at-arms. Behind themerchant and his party came the two maids and the four retainers whohad accompanied them from England. These carried swords and daggers,but no defensive armour. Behind were the two English men-at-arms andthe two freshly taken on, all wearing breast-and back-pieces and steelcaps. They tarried but a day or two at Bruges, Van Voorden finding thatamong the burgesses the trade animosity against Ghent overpowered anyfeeling of patriotism, and moreover it was felt that the success ofthat town would give such encouragement to the democracy elsewhere thatevery city would become the scene of riot and civil strife.
They learnt that, unless they fell in with one of the parties that wasstationed to prevent strong forces of foragers issuing from Ghent todrive in cattle, they would find no difficulty in entering the town,for the citizens had shown themselves such stout fighters, that theearl, believing that the city must fall by famine, had drawn off thegreater portion of his army. Travelling by easy stages, the partyapproached the town on the second evening. Soon after they started thatmorning they came upon a body of the troops of the Earl of Flanders.The officer in command rode up to the merchant and asked him for hisname and his object in going to Ghent, and also who were the twoknights with him. As soon as Van Voorden mentioned his name, and saidthat he had for many years been established in London, the officer atonce recognized it.
"I am well acquainted with your name as one of the foremost among ourcountrymen at King Richard's Court, and that you have several timesacted as our representative when complaints have been made of injury toFlemish traders by English adventurers, but I must still ask, what doyou propose doing at Ghent?"
"I am over here for a time with my wife and daughter, and am payingvisits to friends and business correspondents in the various towns, andit may be that if these troubles come to an end I may retire frombusiness altogether and settle down here. These knights have done me asignal service, having saved the lives of myself and daughter duringthe riots in London; therefore I have asked of them the courtesy toride with me through Flanders. Having a desire to visit foreigncountries, they accepted my invitation."
"Adieu, then, Master Van Voorden. I know that you are a man ofinfluence among the merchants, and trust that you will do your best topersuade the stiff-necked burghers of Ghent to submit themselves totheir lord."
"Methinks, from what I hear," the merchant replied, "that if itdepended upon the burgesses and traders there would be a speedy end tothese troubles, but they are overborne by the demagogues of thecraftsmen."
"That is true enough," the officer replied. "Numbers of the richerburgesses have long since left Ghent, and many have establishedthemselves in trade in other cities where there was better chance ofdoing their business in peace and quiet."
The party now rode on, and without further interruption arrived atGhent. They put up for the night at a hostelry, but in the morning themerchant had no difficulty in hiring the use of a house for a month,for many of the better class houses were standing empty. Then he calledon several of the leading burgesses, some of whom were known to himpersonally, and had long and earnest talk with them upon the situation.
Late in the afternoon he sent a letter to Philip Van Artevelde, sayingthat he had just arrived from England, and would be glad to have aprivate parley with him. An answer was received from Van Arteveldesaying that he would call that evening upon him, as it would be moreeasy to have quiet speech together there than if he visited him at hisofficial residence. At eight o'clock Van Artevelde arrived. He waswrapped in a cloak, and gave no name, simply saying to the retainer whoopened the door that he was there by appointment with his master. VanVoorden received him alone. They had met on two or three occasionspreviously, and saluted each other cordially.
"I think it best that we should meet quietly," the merchant said, asthey shook hands. "I know the Ghentois, how greedily they swallow everyrumour, how they magnify the smallest things, and how they rage iftheir desires are not gratified, and give themselves wholly up to thedemagogues. 'Tis for that reason that I think it well that you havecome to see me privately.
"I have no official mission to you, but I am charged by King Richard,or rather by his council--when they heard that I was coming over hereon my private affairs--to find out in the first place how things reallystand here; and secondly, to learn your own opinion and thoughts on thematters in hand."
By this time they had seated themselves by the fire.
"The position is grievous enough in that we are straitened for food,"was the reply; "indeed, although we have of late been fortunate inobtaining supplies, the pressure cannot be borne. Of one thing you maybe sure, Ghent will not tamely be starved out. If we cannot obtain fairterms, every man will arm himself and sally out, and, it need be, wewill sweep the whole country clear of its flocks and herds, and bringin such stores as we want from all quarters, carrying our arms to thegates of Brussels and Malines in one direction, to Lisle in another,and to Ypres and Dixmuide south of the Lys. Earl though he be, Louiscannot bar every road to us, nor forever keep up a force sufficient towithstand us. Already the feudal lo
rds have kept their levies underarms far beyond the time they have a right to require them, but thiscannot go on. War costs us no more than peace, and whenever we will wecan march with 20,000 men in any direction that may please us. As todefending ourselves against assault, I have no fear whatever. Thus,then, so long as Ghent chooses she can maintain the war." He put anemphasis on the last words.
"That means, I take it," the merchant said, "as long as the people arewilling to go on fasting."
"That is so. There is a sore pinch; food is distributed gratuitously;for, as all trade is stopped, there is little work to be had. So longas they could live in idleness, obtain enough food, and a small sumpaid daily, there were no signs of discontent; and there is stillplenty of money in the coffers, for the goods and estates of many whohave fled, and who are known to be favourable to the earl, have beenconfiscated, but money cannot provide food. Thus, it seems to me that,save for the lack of food, matters could go on as at present. But iffair terms cannot be obtained, the people will demand to be led againsttheir enemy. We shall lead them, but what will come after that I cannotsay.
"As you doubtless know, I am here by no choice of my own. I had naughtto do with the rising of Ghent, or what has been done hitherto, butwhen Lyon died and the leaders who succeeded him were killed, they sentto me to be their governor. For a time I refused, but I was overborne.I was living quietly and peaceably on my estates, with no love forstrife; but it was pointed out that I alone could unite the factions,that many of the better classes of citizens, who held aloof from thedemagogues of the streets, would feel confidence in me, that my namewould carry weight, and that other cities might make alliance with mewhen they would have naught to say to butchers and skinners and suchlike, and that possibly the earl would be more likely to grant terms tome than to those whom he considers as the rabble. I took up theposition reluctantly, but, having taken it up, I shall not lay it down.Like enough it will cost me my life, as it cost the life of Jacob VanArtevelde before me, but it may be that aid will come from someunexpected quarter."
"That is the next point. Do you look for aid from France?"
"France is never to be relied upon," Artevelde replied, gloomily. "TheValois has, of course, made us vague promises, but all he cares for isthat the war should go on, so that, if he and Burgundy come to blows,Flanders can give no aid to the duke. I have no hope in that quarter.Of late, however, Burgundy and Berry have prevailed in his councils,and we hear that he has decided to join the duke against us. We havesent, as doubtless you know, to the King of England, to ask him to allyhimself with us."
"'Tis concerning that matter he has charged me. It was known when Ileft England that Burgundy had promised his aid to the earl, but naughtwas known of France joining in. The king is well disposed towards you,but his council hold that, so long as Ghent stands alone, England canmake no alliance with her, for she would have to fight, not onlyBurgundy and France, but the rest of Flanders. But if Ghent makesherself master of Flanders, England will gladly ally herself with you,and will send troops and money."
"'Tis reasonable," Artevelde said, "and we will bestir ourselves. Imyself have done all that is possible to obtain peace, and in threedays I am going, with twelve of the principal citizens, to Bruges,where the earl arrived yesterday. We shall offer to submit ourselves tohis mercy if he will have pity on the city. If he demands the entiremastership we shall fight in earnest. If he will content himself withtaking our lives, we are ready to give them for the sake of the city.We know that we have a strong body of friends in every town, and shouldit come to blows, methinks it is not improbable that all Flanders willjoin, and if we are supported by England, we may well hope to withstandboth France and Burgundy."
"I have two young English knights with me, Van Artevelde; they areyoung, but have already shown themselves capable of deeds of thegreatest bravery. During the late riots in London they defended myhouse against a mob many hundreds strong, and so gave time for myself,my wife, and daughter to gain a place of hiding; they did many otherbrave feats, and so distinguished themselves that, though very young,the king has knighted them. I invited them to accompany me hither, inorder that they might see service, and I would fain commend themgreatly to you. The fact that they are English knights would be ofadvantage to you, seeing that it will, in the eyes of the people, betaken as a proof that the sympathy of England is with us, and shouldthere be fighting, or any occasion for the use of brave men, you canrely upon them to do their utmost."
"I will gladly accept their services, Van Voorden, and, as you say, thepeople will certainly draw a good augury from their presence."
The merchant left the room, and returned in a minute with the two youngknights.
"These are the gentlemen of whom I have spoken to you, Van Artevelde,"he said, "Sir Edgar Ormskirk and Sir Albert De Courcy, both veryvaliant gentlemen, and high in the esteem of King Richard."
"I greet you gladly, sir knights," Van Artevelde said, "both for yourown sakes and for that of Mynheer Van Voorden, my worthy friend, whohas presented you, and right glad shall I be if you will aid us in thissore strait into which we have fallen."
"I fear that our aid will not be of much avail to you, sir," Edgarsaid, "but such service as we can render we will right willingly give.I shall be glad to see service for the first time under one bearing thename of the great man who lost his life because he was so firm an allyof England."
"At present, gentlemen, things have not come to a crisis here, and fora few days I must ask your patience; by that time we shall know howmatters are to go. If it be war, gladly, indeed, will I have you ridewith me in the field."
Two days later Philip Van Artevelde rode away with the twelve citizens,who, like himself, went to offer their lives for the sake of the city.The scene was an affecting one, and crowds of haggard men andhalf-starved women filled the streets. Most of them were in tears, andall prayed aloud that Heaven would soften the earl's heart and sufferthem to come back unharmed to the city. Three days later they returned.As they rode through the streets all could see that their news was bad,and that they had returned because the earl had refused to accept themas sacrifices for the rest. An enormous crowd gathered in front of thetown-hall, and in a few minutes Van Artevelde and his companionsappeared on the balcony.
There was a dead hush among the multitude. They felt that life or deathhung on his words. He told them that the count had refused altogetherto accept twelve lives as ransom for the city, and that he would giveno terms save that he would become its master and would execute allsuch as were found to have taken part in the rebellion against him.
A despairing moan rose from the square below.
"Fellow citizens," Van Artevelde went on, "there is now but one of twothings for us to do. The one is to shut our gates, retire to ourhouses, and there die either by famine or by such other means as eachmay choose. The other way is, that every man capable of bearing armsshall muster, that we shall march to Bruges, and there either perishunder the lances of his knights, or conquer and drive him headlong fromthe land. Which choose ye, my friends?"
A mighty shout arose: "We will fight!"
"You have chosen well," Van Artevelde said. "Have we not before nowdefeated forces of men-at-arms superior in numbers to ourselves? Are weless brave than our fathers? Shall we not fight as stoutly when we knowthat we leave famishing wives and children behind who look to us tobring them back food? Return to your homes! A double ration of breadshall be served out from the magazines to all. Two hours beforedaybreak we will muster in our companies, and an hour later start forBruges."
Among those who shouted loudest, "We will fight!" were the two youngknights. They had, as soon as it was known that Van Artevelde and hisparty had entered the town, gone with Van Voorden to the house of afriend of his in the great square. They heard with indignation therefusal of the Earl of Flanders to accept the noble sacrifice offeredby the twelve burgesses, who had followed the example of the Governorof Calais and its leading citizens in offering their lives as asacrifice for the
rest. They had met, however, with a less generousfoe, whose terms would, if accepted, have placed the life and propertyof every citizen of Ghent at his mercy. What that was likely to be hadbeen shown at Ypres. Now the young knights felt indeed that the causewas a righteous one, and that they could draw their swords for Ghentwith the conviction that by so doing they were fighting to save itspeople from massacre.
"By heavens!" Van Voorden exclaimed, "were I but younger I too would goout with the Ghentois to battle. I care but little myself as to therights of the quarrel, though methinks that Ghent is right in resistingthe oppressive taxes which, contrary to their franchise, the earl haslaid on the city. But that is nothing. One has but to look upon thefaces of the crowd to feel one's blood boil at the strait to whichtheir lord, instead of fighting them boldly, has, like a coward,reduced them by famine. But now when I hear that he has refused theprayer for mercy, refused to stay his vengeance, or to content himselfwith the heads of the noblest of the citizens offered to him, butinstead would deluge the streets with blood, I would march with them asto a crusade. I will presently see Van Artevelde if but for a moment,tell him that you will ride with him, and ask where you shall take yourstation."
Late that evening Van Voorden returned. "I have been present at thecouncil," he said. "The gates will not be open to-morrow, but onThursday five thousand men will set out early."
"But five thousand is a small number," Edgar said, "to march againstBruges, a city as large as this, and having there the earl, and nodoubt a strong body of his own troops."
"That is true; but most of the men are so weakened that it is thoughtthat it will be best to take but a small number of the strongest andmost capable. They will carry with them the three hundred hand guns.What little provision there is must be divided; half will go with thosewho march, the other half will be kept for those here to sustain lifeuntil news comes how matters have fared in the field."
"But with only five thousand men, without machines for the siege, theycan never hope to storm the walls of Bruges. It would be a feat that asmany veteran soldiers might well hesitate to undertake."
"They have no thought of doing so. It has been agreed that this wouldbe impossible, but the force will camp near the city, and seeing thesmallness of their number, the people of Bruges will surely sally outand attack them. Then they will do their best for victory, and if theybeat the enemy our men will follow on their rear hotly and enter thecity."
"'Tis a bold plan," Edgar said; "but at least there seems some hope ofsuccess, which no other plan, methinks, could give. At any rate we twowill do our best, and being well fed and well armed may hope to be ableto cut our way out of the _melee_ if all should be lost. We fight forhonour and from good-will. But this is not a case in which we would dierather than turn bridle, as it would be were we fighting under thebanner of England and the command of the king."
"Quite so, Edgar; I agree with you entirely," the merchant said. "Youhave not come to this country to die in the defence of Ghent. You camehither to do, if occasion offers, some knightly deeds, and feeling pityfor the starving people here you offer them knightly aid, and willfight for them as long as there is a chance that fighting may availthem, but beyond that it would be folly indeed to go; and when you seethe day hopelessly lost, you and your men-at-arms may well try to makeyour way out of the crowd of combatants, and to ride whither you will.I say not to return here, for that would indeed be an act of folly,since Ghent will have to surrender at once, and without conditions, assoon as the news comes that the battle is lost. Therefore your bestplan would be to ride for Sluys, and there take ship again. As for me,I shall wait until news comes and then ride for Liege, and remain therewith friends quietly until we see what the upshot of the affair islikely to be."
During the day preparations were made for the expedition. Five thousandof those best able to carry arms were chosen, but the store ofprovisions was so small that there were but five cartloads of biscuitand two tuns of wine for those who went, and a like quantity for thesustenance of those who stayed. The young knights were to ride in thetrain of Van Artevelde himself. In the morning the merchant had askedthem what colours they would wear, for, so far, they had not providedthemselves with scarves.
"You should have scarves, and knightly plumes also," he said, "and, ifyou carry lances, pennons; but as you say that you shall fight withsword, that matter can stand over. Tell me what colours you choose, andI will see that you have them."
Albert answered that he should carry his father's colours, namely, ared sash, and red and blue plumes. Edgar replied that he had neverthought about it, but that he would choose white and red plumes, and ascarf of the same colour. These the merchant purchased in theafternoon, and his wife and daughter fastened the plumes in theirhelmets. At the appointed hour in the morning they clad themselves infull armour, and when they went down they found the merchant's wife anddaughter were already afoot, and these fastened the scarves over theirshoulders. On going down to the courtyard they found, to theirsurprise, that their two horses both carried armour on the chest, body,and head.
"It is right that you should go to battle in knightly fashion," themerchant said, "and I have provided you with what is necessary. Indeed,that is no more than is due. I brought you out here, and involved youin this business, and 'tis but right that I should see that you areprotected as far as may be from harm."
The reins were supplemented by steel chains, so that the riders shouldnot be left powerless were the leather cut by a sweeping blow. Whenthey mounted, the merchant himself went with them to the spot where VanArtevelde's following were to assemble. The two men-at-arms, in highspirits at the thought of a fight, rode behind them, together with thetwo Van Voorden had engaged at Sluys, both of whom were able to speak acertain amount of English.
"If you are unhorsed, comrade," one of them said to Hal Carter, "and inan extremity, remember that the cry for mercy is '_Misericorde_.'"
"By my faith," Hal replied, "'tis little likely that they will get thatcry from me; as long as I can fight I will fight, when I can fight nolonger they can slay me. Still, it is as well that I should know theword, as I should not like to kill any poor wretch who asks forquarter."
They found Van Artevelde already at the place of assembly. He greetedthe young knights most cordially.
"Your presence here," he said, "will be invaluable to me. The word willsoon go round to our host that you are English knights, and it will beheld as a token that England is with us."
They waited half an hour, and then Van Voorden bade them adieu, as thecavalcade moved forward. Already the greater part of the armed men hadmoved out from the city, each band having assembled in its own quarter,and moved through the gates as soon as its number was complete. Theinstructions had been that each company, as it issued from the gates,was to follow the road to Bruges, and as soon as the sun rose it was tohalt, when they were all to form up and move in order. Van Arteveldeintroduced the young knights to many of those who rode with him, ashaving lately arrived from England, and as being willing to take partin a battle for so good a cause.
The road was broad and wide, but the cavalcade rode in single file, soas to pass without difficulty the masses of marching men. Just as thesun rose they reached the head of the column. A halt was called; thecountry was flat, and the companies were now formed on a front half amile wide, so that they could march at once faster and in an orderlybody, as it was possible that some spy might have sent the news oftheir coming to Bruges, and they might be attacked on their way. Therewere no horses, save those of Van Artevelde and his immediatefollowers, the seven carts being dragged by men. As the marchproceeded, Edgar and Albert requested Van Artevelde to give them leaveto ride with their four men across the country, and to take with them ascore of the most active foot-men.
"It will be hard," they said, "if we cannot come across a few cattle,sheep, or horses, or some sacks of flour, which would mightily help us.If we keep ahead of the main body we may, too, come by surprise on someof the farm-houses, and shall
be able to send back news to you shouldthere be any armed force approaching."
"By all means do so, and thanks for the offer."
Artevelde gave orders at once that twenty men of the company next tohim should proceed as rapidly as they could ahead with the Englishknights, and should hold themselves under their command.
"We will go on, good fellows," Edgar said to them; "if we meet with aforce too strong for us we shall ride back, but if we can capture aughtin the way of food we will wait until you come up and leave it in yourcharge to hold until the others arrive."
Riding on fast the friends were soon two miles ahead of the main body.The villages on the road were found to be completely deserted, thepeople having removed weeks before; for lying, as they did, between therival cities, they were likely to suffer at the hands of both. Theparty soon turned off and made across the country. Here and there a fewanimals could be seen over the flat expanse. Presently they came upon amill; the water of the canal that turned its wheel was running towaste, and the place was evidently deserted.
"Hew down the door, Hal," Edgar said to his follower.
"That will I right willingly, my lord, for, in truth, I begin to feelwell-nigh as hungry as those of Ghent. We have had good lodgings, andthe beasts have fared well on hay, but had it not been for the food webrought from the last halting-place, verily I believe that we shouldnot have had a bite from the time we entered the place five days ago tonow."
"We have been in almost as bad a plight, Hal. It was well indeed thatwe filled up our panniers, in the knowledge that there was little to beobtained in Ghent; though in truth we knew not that the pressure ofwant was so great."
A few strokes with the heavy axe Hal carried at his saddlebow stove inthe door, and they entered.
The interior of the mill was in great confusion, and by the manner inwhich things were thrown about, it was evident that it had beendeserted in great haste, and probably some months before, when thefighting was going on hotly. "Look round, lads!" Edgar exclaimed. "Theymay well have left something behind when they fled so suddenly."
A shout was raised when the men-at-arms entered the next chamber. Inone corner stood ten sacks of flour, and the bin, into which the flourran from the stones, was half full, and contained enough to fill fiveor six others. One of the Flemish men-at-arms was at once ordered toride back at full speed to the road to intercept the twenty foot-men.These were to be directed to come at once to take charge of the mill,and the messenger was then to ride on till he met Van Artevelde, and tobeg him to send forward as many bakers as there might be among hisfollowing, and to inform him that there was flour enough to furnish aloaf for every man in the force. As soon as the foot-men arrived, Edgarand Albert set them to work. The three men had already collected aquantity of wood and lighted the fire in a great oven that they hadfound, and from which it was evident that the miller was also a baker,and supplied the villagers round them. The two knights, with theirfollowers, again started on horseback, and after four hours' riding,returned with twelve cattle, four horses, and a score of sheep they hadfound grazing masterless over the country. By this time fifty bakerswere at work, and five hundred men were sitting down round the millwaiting to carry the loaves, when baked, to the army. The animals weregiven over to the charge of ten of these men, who were ordered to drivethem after the army until this halted. The young knights and theirmen-at-arms then rode away.