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 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 scalingladder, 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 dis

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played so much temper toward 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. Some one proposed to her to charm the wound by means of cabalistic words; but I would rather die," she said, rather die," she said, "than so sin against the will of God. I know full well that I must die some day, but I know nor where nor when nor how. If, without sin, my wound may be healed, I am right willing." A dressing of oil and lard was applied to the wound, and she retired apart into a vineyard and was continually in prayer.

Fatigue and discouragement were overcoming the French, and the captains ordered the retreat to be sounded. Joan begged Dunois to wait a while.

My God!" said she; "we shall soon be inside. Give your people a little rest; eat and drink."

She resumed her arms and remounted her horse. Her banner floated in the air; the French took fresh courage. The English, who thought Joan half dead, were seized with surprise and fear, and one of their principal leaders, Sir William Gladesdale, made up his mind to abandon the outwork. which he had hitherto so well kept and retire within the bastille itself.

Joan perceived his movement.