thousand! Hence I will
not give back one step till I have taken the town."

Then I wotted well that, sinful man as I am, I was in the company of the
hosts of Heaven, though I saw them not. Great heart this knowledge gave
me and others, and the Maid crying, in a loud voice, "Aux fagots, tout le
monde!" the very runaways heard her and came back with planks and
faggots, and so, filling up the fosse and passing over, we ran into the
breach, smiting and slaying, and the town was taken.

For my own part, I was so favoured that two knights yielded them my
prisoners (I being the only man of gentle birth among those who beset
them in a narrow wynd), and with their ransoms I deemed myself wealthy
enough, as well I might. So now I could look to win my heart's desire,
if no ill fortune befell. But little good fortune came in our way. From
La Charite, which was beset in the last days of November, we had perforce
to give back, for the King sent us no munitions of war, and for lack of
more powder and ball we might not make any breach in the walls of that
town. And so, by reason of the hard winter, and the slackness of the
King, and the false truce, we fought no more, at that season, but went,
trailing after the Court, from castle to castle.

Many feasts were held, and much honour was done to the Maid, as by gifts
of coat armour, and the ennobling of all her kith and kin, but these
things she regarded not, nor did she ever bear on her shield the sword
supporting the crown, between the lilies of France.

If these were ill days for the Maid, I shame to confess that they were
merry days with me. There are worse places than a king's court, when a
man is young, and light of heart, full of hope, and with money in his
purse. I looked that we should take the field again in the spring; and
having gained some gold, and even some good words, as one not backward
where sword-strokes were going, I know not what dreams I had of high
renown, ay, and the Constable's staff to end withal. For many a poor
Scot has come to great place in France and Germany, who began with no
better fortune than a mind to put his body in peril. Moreover, the
winning of Elliot herself for my wife seemed now a thing almost within my
reach. Therefore, as I say, I kept a merry Yule at Jargeau, going
bravely clad, and dancing all night long with the merriest. Only the wan
face of the Maid (that in time of war had been so gallant and glad) came
between me and my pl