him,.but he exeufed himfelf by faying he could not come, for he was unwell; c Proceed/ cried out Peter du Bois : I will anfwer for him, and-we are-Ml enough : let us hear what thefe gentlemen Imfie brought from the conferences at Harfe-becqpe/ * ' Upon this, Guifebert Gente and Symon Bete rofe up, as being the principal deputies; when one of them fpoke thus,~c Gentlemen of Ghent, we have attended the conferences at Harle- becque; and we have had much labour and dif-ficulty, in- conjunction with the good men of Brabant, Liege and Hahiairit, in making tip our difyute* with the earl our lord. However; at the entfceaty of the duké and ducbefc of Brabanfc who had fent thither their council, as well1 a* duke Albert, the good town of Ghent is at peace with the earl, on condition that two hundred mm at. arms, whofe -names - he will fend within fifteen days in writing, (hall furrender themfelves to his pffon*. in the caftle of Lille, to his purer wiU: he is fo noble and generous- that he wilt . fhew them mercy and pardon:' • At thefe words* Peter du Bois advanced, mà Guifebert, how have you dared to enter • iBto .any 'treaty that fhould put two hundred jnen at arms into any of the enemy's priions i Ghent would be indeed difgraced; and better would it be for it if completely overturned* than* to be reproached for having fo fcandaloufiy cfeii* eluded the war. We know well among our-felves, and uuderftaud that neither you nor Symon Bete will be of the two hundred. You • " • have 12