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heavenly mission to the Dauphin. Assuming male attire and warlike
equipments, including a white banner, she placed herself at the head
of the French troops, who, through her example, became inspired with
new enthusiasm. On the 29th April 1429 she threw herself, with
supplies of provisions, into Orleans. Soon after arriving there she
attacked Fort St. Loup, which she carried, while wielding a sword that
had lain more than a century in a knight's tomb behind the altar of
St. Catherine at Fierbois. In an assault on the English, Jeanne
received a severe wound on the neck, from which a large quantity of
blood flowed; but she said it was not blood, but glory, that streamed
out. The siege of Orleans being raised on 8th May, Jeanne D'Arc
carried the news to the Dauphin, and entreated him to come and be
crowned at Rheims, then in possession of the English. The siege of
Gergeau was next undertaken. Jeanne boldly went into the ditch,
standard in hand, at a part most vigorously defended. The soldiers
followed, and soon the town fell by the courageous woman's hands. She
next took possession of Auxerre, Troyes, and Chalons, thus opening for
the Dauphin the road to Rheims. Thither he proceeded, and on 17th July
was crowned. Jeanne D'Arc (or the Maid of Orleans, as she is now
called) assisted at the ceremony. The Maid having accomplished, so
far, the object of her mission, wished to return home; but, seeing her
presence inspired great confidence in the army, the king, and others
of influence, opposed her departure. She therefore stuck to her post
of military leader. She accompanied the king to Crepi, Senlis, and
Paris. In the siege of Compeigne, in the year 1430, Jeanne made a
sally, at the head of a hundred men, over the bridge, and twice
repulsed the besiegers. The king's troops were surrounded, yet, after
performing feats of valour, the Maid disengaged her company, who
re-entered the town. The heroine remained in the rear to facilitate
the retreat, and, when she wished to enter the town, the gates were
shut. She again charged her pursuers, but finding herself unsupported
she exclaimed, "I am betrayed!" It turned out as supposed: the
shutting of the gates while Jeanne remained exposed to danger did not
take place through accident. Jealousy and treachery were at work: her
pretended friends had conspired to bring her bright career to a speedy
end. Many brave soldiers fell under the Maid's charmed sword; but as
one sword and a single