the drawbridge over the dry fosse. The bridge planks
quivered strangely; we were now within the gateway, when down fell the
portcullis behind us, the drawbridge, creaking, flew up, a crowd of angry
faces and red crosses were pressing on us, and a blow fell on my salade,
making me reel. I was held in strong arms, swords shone out above me, I
stumbled on a body--it was Robin Lindsay's--I heard Randal give a curse
as his blade broke on a helmet, and cry, "I yield me, rescue or no
rescue." Then burst forth a blast of shouts, and words of command and
yells, and English curses. Cannon-shot roared overhead, and my mouth was
full of sulphur smoke and dust. They were firing on those of our men who
had not set foot on the drawbridge when it flew up. Soon the portcullis
rose again, and the bridge fell, to let in a band of English archers,
through whom our Scots were cutting their way back towards St. Denis.

Of all this I got glimpses, rather than clear sight, as the throng within
the gateway reeled and shifted, crushing me sorely. Presently the
English from without trooped in, laughing and cursing, welcomed by their
fellows, and every man of them prying into my face, and gibing. It had
been a settled plan: we were betrayed, it was over clear, and now a harsh
voice behind making me turn, I saw the wolf's face of Father Thomas under
his hood, and his yellow fangs.

"Ha! fair clerk, they that be no clerks themselves may yet hire clerks to
work for them. How like you my brother, the Carmelite?"

Then I knew too well how this stratagem had all been laid by that devil,
and my heart turned to water within me.

Randal was led away, but round me the crowd gathered in the open space,
for I was haled into the greater gate tower beyond the wet fosse, and
from all quarters ran soldiers, and men, women, and children of the town
to mock me.

"Behold her," cried Father Thomas, climbing on a mounting-stone, as one
who would preach to the people, while the soldiers that held me laughed.

"Behold this wonderful wonder of all wonders, the miraculous Maid of the
Armagnacs! She boasted that, by help of the Saints, she would be the
first within the city, and lo! she is the first, but she has come without
her army. She is every way a miracle, mark you, for she hath a down on
her chin, such as no common maidens wear; and if she would but speak a
few words of counsel, methinks her tongue would sound strangely Scottish
for a Lorrainer."