agon full in his hands, and withal a thirsty look upon
his face, shook his head.

"To another pledge, Maiden, I will gladly drink, namely, to the bravest
damsel under the sky."

And therewith he drank deep.

"But now I am sent from Gaucourt, and the Bastard, for all the captains
are in counsel again. And they bid me tell you that enough hath been
done, and they are right well content. But we are few against so great a
host, in a place so strong that men may not avail to master it by main
force. The city is now well seen in all manner of victual; moreover, we
can now come and go by Sologne and the left bank. The skill is therefore
to hold the city till the English wax weary and depart, or till we have
succour anew from the King. Therefore to-morrow the men-at-arms shall
take rest, having great need thereof; and therefore, gentle Maid, pardon
me that I drank not to the pledge which a lady called."

Then he drained the flagon.

The Maid, holding the girl Charlotte yet closer to her, smote her right
hand on the table, so that it dirled, and the cups and dishes leaped.

"You have been with your counsel," she cried, "and I have been with mine!
The counsel of Messire will stand fast and prevail, and yours shall
perish, for it is of men. Go back, and bear my words to the captains,"
quoth she; and then, turning to us, who looked on her in amazement, she
said--

"Do ye all rise right early, and more than ye have done to-day shall ye
do. Keep ever close by me in the mellay, for to-morrow I shall have much
to do, and more than ever yet I did. And to-morrow shall my blood leap
from my body, above my breast, for an arrow shall smite here!" and she
struck the place with her hand.

Thereon the knight, seeing that she was not to be moved, made his
obeisance, and went back to them that sent him, and all we lay down to
sleep while we might.

These words of the Maid I, Norman Leslie, heard, and bear record that
they are true.

CHAPTER XIV--OF THE FIGHTING AT THE BRIDGE, AND OF THE PRIZE WON BY
NORMAN LESLIE FROM THE RIVER

On that night I slept soft, and woke oft, being utterly foredone. In the
grey dawn I awoke, and gave a little cough, when, lo! there came a hot
sweet gush into my mouth, and going to the window, I saw that I was
spitting of blood, belike from my old wound. It is a strange thing that,
therewith, a sickness came over me, and a cold fit as of fear, though
fear I had felt none where men met in