defenders were put to the sword before Talbot and
the main body of the besiegers could come up to their
assistance. Joan showed sorrow that so many people
should have died unconfessed; and she herself was
the means of saving some who had disguised themselves
as priests in gowns which they had taken from the
church of St. Loup. Great was the joy in Orleans,
and the enthusiasm for Joan was more lively than ever.
“Her voices had warned her,” they said,
“and apprised her that there was a battle; and
then she had found by herself alone and without any
guide the way to the Burgundy gate.” Men-at-arms
and burgesses all demanded that the attack upon the
English hastilles should be resumed; but the next
day, the 5th of May, was Ascension-day. Joan
advocated lions repose on this holy festival, and
the general feeling was in accord with her own.
She recommended her comrades to fulfil their religious
duties, and she herself received the communion.
The chiefs of the besieged resolved to begin on the
morrow a combined attack upon the English bastilles
which surrounded the palace; but Joan was not in their
counsels. “Tell me what you have resolved,”
she said to them; “I can keep this and greater
secrets.” Dunois made her acquainted with
the plan adopted, of which she fully approved; and
on the morrow, the 6th of May, a fierce struggle began
again all round Orleans. For two days the bastilles
erected by the besiegers against the place were repeatedly
attacked by the besieged. On the first day Joan
was slightly wounded in the foot. Some disagreement
arose between her and Sire de Gaucourt, governor of
Orleans, as to continuing the struggle; and John Boucher,
her host, tried to keep her back the second day.
“Stay and dine with us,” said he, “to
eat that shad which has just been brought.”
“Keep it for supper,” said Joan; “I
will come back this evening and bring you some goddamns
(Englishman) or other to eat his share;” and
she sallied forth, eager to return to the assault.
On arriving at the Burgundy gate she found it closed;
the governor would not allow any sortie thereby to
attack on that side. “Ah! naughty man,”
said Joan, “you are wrong; whether you will
or no, our men-at-arms shall go and win on this day
as they have already won.” The gate was
forced; and men-at-arms and burgesses rushed out from
all quarters to attack the bastille of Tournelles,
the strongest of the English works. It was ten
o’clock in the morning; the passive and active
powers of both parties were concentrated on this point;
and for a moment the French appeared weary and downcast.
Joan took a scaling-ladder, set it against the rampart,
and was the first to mount. There came an arrow
and struck her between neck and shoulder, and she
fell. Sire de Gamaches, who had but lately displayed
so much temper towards her, found her where she lay.
“Take my horse,” said he, “and bear
no malice: I was wrong; I had formed a false
idea of you.” “Yes,” said Joan,
“and bear no malice: I never saw a more
accomplished knight.” She was taken away
and had her armor removed. The arrow, it is
said, stood out almost half-a-foot behind. There
was an instant of faintness and tears; but she prayed
and felt her strength renewed, and pulled out the
arrow with her own hand.