Joan of Arc was now to win as much glory by her courage as before her very name had brought.  While she was lying down to rest, that same afternoon, the townspeople went out to attack the Bastile of St. Loup.  They had sent her no word of the fight.  But Joan started suddenly from her bed, declaring that her voices told her to go against the English.  She put on her armor, mounted her horse, and, with her banner in her hand, galloped through the streets.  The French were retreating, but they gathered again round her white banner, and Joan led them on once more.  Her spirit rose with the thickness of the fight.  She dashed right into the midst.  The battle raged for three hours round the Bastile of St. Loup, then Joan led on the French to storm it.  Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans, had gained her first victory.

The day after there was no fighting, for it was the Feast of the Ascension.  Joan had been first in the fight yesterday; she was first in prayer to-day.  She brought many of the soldiers to their knees for the first time in their lives.

All along the captains had doubted the military skill of “the simplest girl they had ever seen,” and they did not call her to the council they held that day.  They resolved to attack the English forts on the southern and weakest side.  After a little difficulty Joan consented, when she was told of it.  The next day, before daybreak, she took her place with LaHire on a small island in the Loire, from whence they crossed in boats to the southern bank.  Their hard day’s work was set about early.  Joan would not wait for more troops, but began the fight at once.  The English joined two garrisons together, and thus for a time overpowered the French as they attacked the Bastile of the Augustins.

Carried on for a little while with the flying, Joan soon turned round again upon the enemy.  The sight of the witch, as they thought her, was enough.  The English screened themselves from her and her charms behind their walls.  Help was coming up for the French.  They made a fresh attack; the bastile was taken and set on fire.  Joan returned to the city slightly wounded in the foot.

The only fort left to the English was their first-made and strongest, the Bastile de Tournelles.  It was held by the picked men of their army, Gladsdale and his company.  The French leaders wished to delay its attack until they had fresh soldiers.  This suited Joan little.  “You have been to your council,” she said, “and I have been to mine.  Be assured that the council of my Lord will hold good, and that the council of men will perish.”  The hearts of the people were with her; the leaders thought it best to give in.  Victory followed wherever she led, and, after several actions, at which she took active part, the siege was raised.  It began on the 12th of October, 1428, and was raised on the 14th of May, 1429.

Even now, in Orleans, the 14th of May is held sacred, that day on which, in 1429, the citizens watched the English lines growing less and less in the distance.