lant
defence, and Joan wept for the dead English, fearing that they had died
unconfessed. Next day was Ascension Day. Joan, thinking 'the better the
day the better the deed,' was for fighting. There was no battle, but she
again summoned the English to withdraw, and again was insulted, and
wept.

The French generals now conceived a plan to make a feint, or a sham
attack, on the English forts where they were strongest, on the Orleans
side of the river. The English on the left side would cross to help
their countrymen, and then the French would take the forts beyond the
bridge. Thus they would have a free path across the river, and would
easily get supplies, and weary out the English. They only told Joan of
the first part of their plan, but she saw that they were deceiving her.
When the plan was explained she agreed to it, her one wish was to strike
swiftly and strongly. However, they did not carry out the plan, they
only assailed the forts on the left bank.

The French attacked the English fort of Les Augustins, beyond the river,
but suddenly they fled to their bridge of boats; while the English
sallied out, yelling their insults at Joan. She turned, she gathered a
few men, and charged. The English ran before her like sheep; she planted
her banner again in the ditch. The French hurried back to her, a great
Englishman, who guarded the breach, was shot; two French knights leaped
in, the others followed, and the English took refuge in the redoubt of
Les Tourelles, their strong fort at the bridge-head.

The Maid returned to Orleans, and, though it was a Friday, and she
always fasted on Fridays, she was so weary that she ate some supper. A
bit of bread, her page reports, was all that she usually ate. Now the
generals sent to Joan and said that enough had been done. They had food,
and could wait for another army from the king. 'You have been with your
council,' she said, 'I have been with mine. The wisdom of God is greater
than yours. Rise early to-morrow, do better than your best, keep close
by me; for to-morrow have I much to do, and more than ever yet I did,
and to-morrow shall my blood flow from a wound above my breast.'[15]

Joan had always said at Chinon that she would be wounded at Orleans.
From a letter by a Flemish ambassador, written three weeks before the
event happened, we know that this is true.[16]

Next morning Joan's host had got a fine fish for breakfast. 'Keep it
till evening, and I will bring you a God-d