The next morning at nine o'clock, the mayor, sheriffs, and rich men of the city came to the market-place, and entered the town-hall; then came those who had been at the conferences at Harlebecque; and last came Peter du Bois and Philip Van Artavelde, well attended by those of their party. When they were all assembled and seated, for every one who chose it sat down, they found the Lord de Harzelle was not present; they sent to him, but he excused himself, saying he was unwell. Proceed,' cried out Peter du Bois, I will answer for him, and we are full enough; let us hear what these gentlemen have brought from the conferences at Harlebecque.' 66 Upon this, Guisebert Grutte, and Simon Bete rose up, as being the principal deputies, when one of them spoke thus:'Gentlemen of Ghent, we have attended the conferences at Harlebecque; and we have had much labour and difficulty, in conjunction with the good men of Brabant, Liege, and Hainault, in making up our dis putes with the earl our lord. However, at the entreaty of the Duke and Duchess of Brabant, who had sent thither their council, as well as Duke Albert of Hainault, the good town of Ghent is at peace with the earl, on condition that two hundred menat-arms, whose names he will send within fifteen days in writing, shall surrender themselves to his prison in the castle of Lille, to his pure will: he is so noble and generous that he will show them mercy and pardon.'-At these words Peter du Bois started up, and cried, Guisebert, how have you dared to enter into any treaty that should put two hundred men-at-arms into any of the enemy's prisons? Ghent would be indeed disgraced; and better would it be for it if completely overturned, than to be reproached for having so scandalously concluded the war. We know well that neither you nor Simon Bete will be of the two hundred. You have taken your part, and have made your own choice; but we will carve and cut for ourselves. Advance, Philip, on these traitors, who want to betray and dishonour the town of Ghent.' "With these words Peter du Bois drew his dagger, and coming up to Guisebert, struck him into the belly, so that he fell down dead. Philip also drew his dagger, and with it struck Simon Bete and slew him. They then began to cry out, 'Treason! Treason!' They had their partisans all round them, so that many of the richest and greatest men of the town were obliged to conceal their disapprobation of this violence to save their lives. At that time only those two were killed; but to satisfy the people, and to turn the affair to their own advantage, Peter and Philip sent some of their men to proclaim throughout the town, that Guisebert Grutte and Simon Bete had been put to death, because, like false traitors, they wanted to betray the good town of Ghent. Thus the matter ended: the dead were dead, and no one was called to any account for it, nor any penalty exacted. In this manner were slain two valiant and |