第11章

"Nay，"saidshe，checkingherhorsetoawalk，andsmilingonmeintheduskwithherkindeyes。"Thentellmehowyouorderitinyourcountry。”

"Madame，"Isaid，"itwaswithalittleforce，andlightlymoving，thatMessireThomasRandolphscaledtheCastlerockandtookEdinburghCastleoutofthehandsoftheEnglish，akeepsostrong，andsetonacliffsoperilous，thatnomanmightdeemtowinitbysuddenonfall。AndinlikemannerthegoodMessireJamesDouglastookhisowncastle，morethanonceortwice，bycraftystratagemofwar，sothattheEnglishnameditCastlePerilous。Butineverysuchonfallfewmenfoughtforus，ofsuchascouldmovesecretlyandswiftly，notwithlongtrainsofwaggonsthatcoveraleagueofroad，andbytheirnoiseandnumbergivewarningtoanenemy。”

"Mymindisyours，"shesaid，withasigh，"andsoIwouldhavemadethisonslaught。ButIsubmittedmetothewillofthecaptains。”

Throughthenightwepushedourwayslowly，forinsuchamarchnonemaygoswifterthantheslowest，namely，thecartsandthewaggons。

ThusitbefellthattheMaidandthecaptainswereinmorethoughtsthanonetodrawbacktoCompiegne，forthenightwasclear，andthedawnwouldbebright。And，indeed，afterstumblingandwanderinglong，anddoubtingoftheway，wedid，atlast，seethechurchtowersandwallsofPontl"Evequestandoutagainsttheclearskyofmorning，alightmistgirdlingthebasementofthewalls。Hadwebeenasmallerandswiftercompany，weshouldhavearrivedanhourbeforethefirstgreynessshowstheshapesofthings。Butnow，alas!wenosoonersawthetownthanweheardthebellsandtrumpetscallingthetownsfolkandmen-at-armstobeontheirward。Thegreatgunsofthekeeproaredatussosoonaswewereinreachofshot；nevertheless，PothonandtheMaidsetcompaniestocarrythedoubleladders，forthewallswerehigh，andothersweretoldofftobringupthefascines，andso，leavingourmainbattletowaitoutofshot，andcomeonastheywereneeded，theMaidandPothonranupthefirstrampart，shewavingherstandardandcryingthatallwasours。Asweran，forImustneedsbebyherside，thedinofbellsandgunswasworsethanIhadheardatOrleans，andonthetopofthechurchtowersweremen-at-armswavingflags，asifforasignal。

Howbeit，wesprangintothefosse，undershield，waryofstonescastfromabove，andpresentlythreeladdersweresetagainstthewall，andwewentup，theMaidleadingtheway。

NowofwhatbefellIknowbutlittle，savethatIhadsoclimbedthatIlookeddownoverthewall，whentheladderwhereonIstoodwaswhollyoverthrownbytwogreatEnglishknights，andoneofthem，byhiscoatarmour，wasMessiredeMontgomeryhimself，whocommandedinPontl"Eveque。OfallthatcameafterIremembernomorethanaflightthroughair，andthedeadstrokeofafallonearthwithastoneaboveme。Forsuchisthefortuneofwar，whereofamanknowsbuthisownshareforthemostpart，andeventhatdimly。Theeyesareoftenblindedwithswiftrunningtobeatthewall，and，whatwithahelmthatringstosword-blows，andwhatwithsmoke，anddust，andcrying，andclamour，androarofguns，itisbutlittlethatmanyaman-at-armscantellconcerningthefrayswherein，maybe，hehasbornehimselfnotunmanly。

ThiswasmylotatPontl"Eveque，andIknewbutlittleofwhatpassedtillIfoundmyselfinverygreatanguish。ForIhadbeenlaidinoneofthecarts，andsowasbornealongthewaywehadcome，andateveryturnofthewheelsanewpangranthroughme。

FormylifeIcouldnotchoosebutgroan，asothersgroanedthatwereinthesamecartwithme。Formyrightlegwasbroken，alsomyrightarm，andmyheadwasstoundingasifitwouldburst。ItwaslateandnighsunsetoreverwewonthegatesofCompiegne，havinglost，indeed，butthirtymenslain，buthavingwhollyfailedinouronfall。ForIheardinthemonasterywhitherIwasbornethat，whentheMaidandXaintraillesandtheirmenhadwontheirwaywithinthewalls，andhadslaincertainoftheEnglish，andwerepushingtheothershard，beholdourmainbattlewasfallenuponintherearbytheEnglishfromNoyon，sometwomilesdistantfromPontl"Eveque。

Thereforetherewasnohelpforitbutretreatwemust，drivingbacktheEnglishtoNoyon，whileourwoundedandallourmunitionsofwarwerecarriedorderlyaway。

AstothepainsIboreinthatmonasteryoftheJacobins，whenmybrokenbonesweresetbyaverygoodsurgeon，thereisnoneedthatIshouldwrite。Myfortuneinwarwaslikethatofmostmen-at-

arms，orbetterthanthatofmanywhoareslainoutrightintheirfirstskirmish。SomegoodfortuneIhad，asatSt。Pierre，andagain，badfortune，ofwhichthiswastheworst，thatIcouldnotbewiththeMaid:nay，neveragaindidIrideunderherbanner。

She，forherpart，wasnotidle，but，aftertarryingcertaindaysinCompiegnewithGuillaumedeFlavy，sherodetoLagny，"forthere，"

shesaid，"werementhatwarredwellagainsttheEnglish，"namely，acompanyofourScots。Andamongthem，aslaterIheardinmybed，wasRandalRutherford，whohadransomedhimselfoutofthehandsoftheFrenchinParis，whereatIwasrightglad。AtLagny，withherownmenandtheScots，theMaidfoughtandtookoneFranquetd"Arras，aBurgundian"routier，"orknightoftheroad，whoplunderedthatcountrywithoutmercy。HimtheMaidwouldhaveexchangedforanArmagnacofParis，thehostoftheBearInn，thenheldinduressebytheEnglish，forhisshareinaplottoyieldParistotheKing。ButthisburgessdiedinthehandsoftheEnglish，andtheechevins{34}ofLagny，claimingFranquetd"Arrasasacommonthief，traitor，andmurderer，triedhim，and，onhisconfession，puthimtodeath。ThiswascountedacrimeintheMaidbytheEnglishandBurgundianrobbers，nay，evenbyFrenchandScots。"For，"saidthey，"ifagentlemanistobejudgedlikeamanant，orafatburgessbyburgesses，thereisnomoreprofitorgloryinwar。”Nay，IhaveheardgentlemenofFrancecryoutthat，astheMaidgaveupFranquettosuchjudgesaswouldsurelycondemnhim，soshewasrightlypunishedwhenJeandeLuxembourgsoldherintothehandsofunjustjudges。ButIanswerthattheMaiddidnotsellFranquetd"Arras，asIsayDeLuxembourgsoldher:notalivredidshetakefromthefolkofLagny。Andasfortheslayingofrobbers，thisveryJeandeLuxembourghadbutjustslainmanyEnglishofhisownparty，forthattheyburnedandpillagedintheBeauvaiscountry。

YetmenmurmuredagainsttheMaidnotonlyintheirhearts，butopenly，andmanymen-at-armsceasedtolovehercause，bothfortheslayingofFranquetd"Arras，andbecauseshewasforputtingawaytheleaguer-lasses，and，whenshemight，wouldsuffernoplundering。

Whethershewasrightorwrong，itbehovesmenottojudge，butthisIknow，thattheKing"smenfoughtbestwhenshewasbestobeyed。

And，likeHimwhosenther，shewaseverofthepartofthepoorandtheoppressed，againststrongknightswhorobandravishandburnandtorture，andholdtoransom。ThereforetheArchbishopofReims，whowasneverafriendoftheMaid，saidopenlyinalettertotheReimsfolkthat"shedidherownwill，ratherthanobeyedthecommandmentsofGod。”ButthatGodcommandsknightsandgentlementorobthepoorandneedy(thoughindeedHehassetagreatgulfbetweenamanantandagentlemanborn)Icaninnowisebelieve。Formypart，whenIhavebeenwheregentlemenandcaptainslamentedtheslayingofFranquetd"Arras，andjustifiedthedealingsoftheEnglishwiththeMaid，IhaveseemedtoheartheclamourofthecruelJews:"Tollehunc，etdimittenobisBarabbam。”{35}ForBarabbaswasarobber。Howbeitonthismatter，asonall，IhumblysubmitmetothejudgmentofmysuperiorsandtoHolyChurch。

MeantimetheMaidrodefromLagny，nowtoSoissons，nowtoSenlis，nowtoCrepy-en-Valois，andinCrepyshewaswhenthatbefellwhichIamabouttorelate。

CHAPTERXXVI——HOW，ANDBYWHOSEDEVICE，THEMAIDWASTAKENAT

COMPIEGNE

"VerilyandindeedtheMaidisofwonderfulexcellence，"quothFatherFrancoistome，inmychamberattheJacobins，whereIwashealingofmyhurts。

"Anymanmayknowthat，whoisinyourcompany，"thefatherwentonspeaking。

"Andhow，goodfather？"Iaskedhim；"sureIhavecaughtnoneofhersaintliness。”

"AsaintIdonotcallyou，butIscarcecallyouaScot。Foryouareaclerk。”

"TheMaidtaughtmenoneofmyclergy，father，norhaveItaughtheranyofmine。”

"Sheneedsitnot。Butyouarepeacefulandgentle；youbrawlnot，nordrink，norcurse……"

"Nay，father，withwhomamItobrawl，orhowshouldIcurseinyourgoodcompany？FindyouScotssofroward？"

"Butnow，pretendingtobeourfriends，abandofthemisharryingtheSolognecountry……"

"TheywillbeJohnstonsandJardines，andwildwoodfolkofGalloway，"Isaid。"ThesewescarcereckonScots，butratherPicts，andhalfheathen。AndtheJohnstonsandJardinesareherebelike，becausetheyhavemadeScotlandoverhottoholdthem。Weareapoorfolk，buthonest，letbytheclansoftheLandDebatableandofEttrickForest，andtheBorderfreebooters，andtheGallowayPicts，andMaxwells，andGlendinnings，andthered-shanked，jabberingHighlandersandIslesmen，andsomecertainoftheAngusfolk，and，maybe，awildcrewinStrathclyde。”

"Yours，then，isaverylargecountry？"

"AboutthebignessofFrance，or，maybe，notsobig。Andthemainpartofit，andthemostlawfulandlearned，isbyitself，inasort，aseparatekingdom，namelyFife，whenceIcomemyself。TheLothians，too，andtheshireofAyr，ifyouexceptCarrick，arewellknownforthelandsofpeacefulandsobermen。”

"Whencecomesyourgreatcaptain，SirHughKennedy？"

"Thereyounameanhonourableman-at-arms，"Isaid，"thegloryofScotland；andtoshowyouIwasright，heisnoneofyourmarchmen，orHighlanders，buthaslandsinAyrshire，andcomesofaveryhonourablehouse。”

"ItisSirHughthathathjustheldtoransomtheKing"sgoodtownofTours，whereisthatgraciousladythemotheroftheKing"swife，theQueenofSicily。”

HereatIwaxedredasfire。

"Hewillbeinarrearsofhispay，nodoubt，"Imadeanswer。

"Itisverylike，"saidFatherFrancois:"butconsideringallthatyoutellme，IcraveyourpardonifIstillthinkthattheBlessedMaidhaswonyoufromthecommonwaysofyourcountrymen。”

Towhich，infaith，Ihadnoanswertomake，butthatmyfortunewasliketobethehappierinthisworldandthenext。

"Muchneedhaveallmenofhergoodness，andweofhervalour，"saidthefather，andhesighed。"ThisisnowthefourthsiegeofCompiegneIhaveseen，andtwicehavetheleadsfromourroofsandthemetalofourbellsbeenmadeintomunitionofwar。AbsitomenDomine!AndnowtheysaytheDukeofBurgundyhassworntoslayall，andspareneitherwomannorchild。”

"Avauntofwar，father。CalltheynothimtheGoodDuke？WhenwelaybeforeParis，theEnglishputaboutalikelyingtaleconcerningus，asifweshouldsackandslayall。”

"Ipraythatyouspeaksooth，"saidFatherFrancois。

Onthenextday，beingMaythetwentieth，hecametomeagain，withawanface。

"BurgundiansareinClaroix，"saidhe，"acrosstheriver，andyetothers，withJeandeLuxembourg，atMargny，scarceamileaway，attheendofthecausewaythroughthewatermeadows，beyondthebridge。AndtheDukeisatCoudun，aleagueofftotherightofClaroix，andIhaveclombthetower-top，andthenceseentheEnglishatVenette，onthelefthandofthecauseway。Allisundone。”

"Nay，father，beofbettercheer。OurfortatthebridgeendisstrongerthanLesTourelleswereatOrleans。TheEnglishshotcanscarcecrosstheriver。Bridgetheenemyhasnone，andnorthwardandeastwardallisopen。Beofbetterheart，HeavenhelpsFrance。”

"WehavesenttosummontheMaid，"saidhe，"fromCrepy-en-Valois。

Inherisallmyhope；butyouspeaklightly，foryouareyoung，andwarisyourtrade。”

"Andprayingisyours，father，whereforeyoushouldbebolderthanI。”

Butheshookhishead。

Sotwodayspassed，andnothinggreatbefell，butinthegreydawnofMaythetwenty-thirdIwasheldawakebyclatterofhorsemenridingdownthestreetunderthewindowofmychamber。AndaftermatinscameFatherFrancois，hisfaceveryjoyful，withthetidingsthattheMaid，andacompanyofsomethreehundredlancesofhers，hadriddeninfromCrepy-en-Valois，shemakingherprofitofthedarknesstoavoidtheBurgundians。

ThenIdeemedthattheenemywouldsoonhavenewsofher，andallthatdayIheardthebellsringmerrypeals，andthetrumpetssounding。AboutthreehoursafternoondayFatherFrancoiscameagain，andtoldmethattheMaidwouldmakeasally，andcuttheBurgundiansintwain；andnownothingwouldservemebutImustbeborneinalittertothewalls，andseeherbanneroncemoreonthewind。

So，bythegoodwillofFatherFrancois，somelaybrethrenboremeforthfromtheconvent，whichisbutastone"s-throwfromthebridge。TheycarriedmeacrosstheOisetoamillhardbytheboulevardoftheBridgefort，whence，fromawindow，Ibeheldallthatchanced。Nomansittinginthegalleryofaknight"shalltoseejongleursplayandsingcouldhavehadabetterstance，orhaveseenmoreclearlyallthemischiefthatbefell。

ThetownofCompiegneliesontheriverOise，asOrleansontheLoire，butontheleft，nottherighthandofthewater。Thebridgeisstronglyguarded，asiscustom，byatoweratthefurtherend，and，infrontofthattower，aboulevard。Allthewaterwasgaytolookon，beingcoveredwithboats，asifforaholiday，buttheseweremannedbyarchers，whomGuillaumedeFlavyhadsettoshootattheenemy，iftheydroveusback，andtorescuesuchofourmenasmightgiveground，iftheycouldnotwinintotheboulevardatthebridgeend。

Beyondtheboulevard，forthtotheopencountry，layawideplain，andbehindit，closingitin，along，lowwallofsteephills。Ontheleft，amileandahalfaway，FatherFrancoisshowedmethechurchtowerofVenette，wheretheEnglishcamped；totheright，aleagueoff，wasthetowerofClairoix；andattheendofalongraisedcausewaythatranfromthebridgeacrosstheplain，becauseofthewinterfloods，IsawthetowerandthevillageofMargny。

Allthesetownsandspireslookedpeaceful，butallwereheldbytheBurgundians。Men-at-armswerethickonthecrestofourboulevard，andonthegate-keep，alllookingacrosstherivertowardsthetown，whencetheMaidshouldsallybywayofthebridge。SothereIlayonacouchinthewindowandwaited，havingnofear，butgreatjoy。

Nay，neverhaveIfeltmyspiritlighterwithinme，sothatI

laughedandchatteredlikeafeyman。Thefreshair，aftermylonglyinginachamber，stirredmelikewine。TheMaysunshonewarm，yetcooledwithasweetwindofthewest。Theroomwasfullofwomenandmaids，allwaitingtothrowflowersbeforetheMaid，whomtheydearlyloved。Everythinghadalookofholiday，andallwastoendinjoyandgreatvictory。SoIlaughedwiththegirls，andlistenedtoastrangetale，howtheMaidhadbutoflatebroughtbacktolifeadeadchildatLagny，sothathegothisrightsofBaptism，andanondiedagain。

Sowefleetedthetime，tillaboutthefifthhourafternoon，whenweheardtheclatterofhorsesonthebridge；andsomewomenwaxedpale。Myownheartleapedup。Thenoisedrewnearer，andpresentlySherodeacrossandforth，carryingherbannerinthenoblestmanner，mountedonagreyhorse，andcladinarichhucqueofcramoisie；shesmiledandbowedlikeaqueentothepeople，whocried，"Noel!Noel!"BesideherrodePothonleBourgignon(notPothondeXaintrailles，assomehavefalselysaid)，herconfessorPasquerelonapalfrey；herbrother，PierreduLys，withhisnewarmsbravelyblazoned；andhermaitred"hotel，D"Aulon。ButofthecaptainsinCompiegnenoonerodewithher。Shehadbutherowncompany，andagreatrudethrongoffootmenofthetownthatwouldnotbesaidnay。Theycarriedclubs，andtheylooked，asIheard，fornolessthantotakeprisonertheDukeofBurgundyhimself。

Certainofthesemenalsoborespadesandpicksandothertools；fortheMaid，asIdeem，intendednomorethantotakeandholdMargny，thatsoshemightcuttheBurgundiansintwain，andsunderfromthemtheEnglishatVenette。Nowasthenightwasnotfaroff，thenatnightfallwouldtheEnglishbeinsorestraits，asnotknowingthecountryandthecountryroads，andnothavingthepowertojointhemofBurgundyatClairoix。This，onetoldmeafterwards，wasthedeviceoftheMaid。

Bethisasitmay，andacaptainofhers，BarthelemyBarrette，toldmethetale，theMaidrodegallantlyforth，flowersrainingonher，whilemyheartlongedtoberidingatherrein。ShewavedherhandtoGuillaumedeFlavy，whosatonhishorsebythegateoftheboulevard，andso，havingarrayedhermen，shecried，"Tirezavant!"

andmadetowardsMargny，thefoot-soldiersfollowingwithwhatspeedtheymight，whileIandFatherFrancois，andothersinthechamber，strainedoureyesafterthem。Allthewindowsandroofsofthehousesandwater-millsonthebridgewerecrowdedwithmenandwomen，gazing，anditcameintomymindthatFlavyhaddoneilltoleavethesemillsandhousesstanding。TheywroughtotherwiseatOrleans。Thiswasbutapassingthought，formyheartwasinmyeyes，strainingtowardsMargny。Thencenowaroseagreatdin，andclamouroftrumpetsandcriesofmen-at-arms，andwecouldseetumult，blowndust，andstirofmen，andsoitwentforitmaybehalfofanhour。Thenthatdustycloudofmenandhorsesdrove，forwardever，outofoursight。

Thesunwasnowredandsinkingabovethelowwallofthewesternhills，andtheairwasthickerthanithadbeen，andconfusedwithayellowlight。Despitethegreatmultitudeofmenandwomenonthecitywalls，therecamescarcelyasoundofavoicetousacrossthewideriver，sostilltheykept，andthearchersintheboatsbeneathusweresilent:nay，thoughthechamberwhereinIlaywasthrongedwiththepeopleofthehousepressingtoseethroughtheopencasement，yettherewassilencehere，savewhenthefatherprayed。

Astrongerwindrisingoutofthewestnowblewtowardsuswithasweetburdenofscentfromflowersandgrass，fragrantuponourfaces。Sowewaited，ourheartsbeatingwithhopeandfear。

ThenI，whoseeyeswerekeen，saw，blownuswardfromMargny，acloudofflyingdust，thatinScotlandwecallstour。ThedustrolledwhitealongthecausewaytowardsCompiegne，andthen，alas!forthfromitbrokelittleknotsofourmen，foot-soldiers，allrunningfortheirlives。Behindthemcamemoreofourmen，andmore，allrunning，andthenmountedmen-at-arms，spurringhard，andstillmoreandmoreofthese；andeverthefootmenran，tillmanyridersandsomerunnershadcrossedthedrawbridge，andwerewithintheboulevardofthebridge。Theretheystayed，sobbingandpanting，andafewwerebleeding。Butthoughtheforemostrunawaysthuswontheirlives，wesawothersrolloverandfallastheyran，tumblingdownthesidesofthecauseway，andwhytheyfellIknewnot。

Butnow，inthemidstofthecauseway，betweenusandMargny，ourflyinghorsemenralliedundertheMaiden"sbanner，andforthelasttimeofall，Iheardthatcleargirl"svoicecrying，"Tirezenavant!enavant!"

Anonherhorsemenchargedbackfuriously，anddrovethePicardsandBurgundians，whopursued，overathirdpartoftheraisedroadway。

Butnow，forthfromMargny，troopedBurgundianmen-at-armswithoutendornumber，thebanneroftheMaidwavedwildly，nowup，nowdown，inthemadmellay，andevertheyofBurgundypressedon，andstillourmen，beingfewandoutnumbered，gaveback。Yetstillsomeofthemanyclubmenofthetownsfolktumbledoverastheyran，andthedrawbridgewaschokedwithmenflying，thrustingandthronging，wildandblindwiththefearofdeath。Thenroseonourleftonegreatcry，suchastheEnglishgivewhentheyrejoice，orwhentheycharge，andlo!forthfromalittlewoodthathadhiddenthem，camegallopingandrunningacrosstheheavywetmeadowlandbetweenusandVenette，themen-at-armsandthearchersofEngland。Thenwenighgaveupallforlost，andfainIwouldhaveturnedmyeyesaway，butImightnot。

NowandagaintheEnglisharcherspaused，andloosedaflightofclothyardshaftsagainstthestreamofourrunawaysonthebridge。

Thereforeitwasthatsomefellastheyran。ButthelittlecompanyofourhorsemenwerenowdrivenbacksonearusthatIcouldplainlyseetheMaid，cominglastofall，herbodyswungroundinthesaddleasshelookedbackattheforemostfoemen，whowerewithinalance"slengthofher。AndD"AulonandPierreduLys，grippingeachatherreins，werespurringforward。Butthroughthepressofourclubmenandflyinghorsementheymightnotwin，andnowIsaw，whatnevermansawbefore，theswordoftheMaidbareinbattle!Shesmoteonaknight"sshield，herswordshiveredinthatstroke，shecaughthersteelspertheintoherhand，andstruckandhewedamain，andtherewereemptysaddlesroundher。

AndnowtheEnglishinthemeadowwerewithinfourlances"lengthsofthecausewaybetweenherandsafety。SayitImust，norcannon-

ballnorarrow-flightavailedtoturntheseEnglish。Stillthedrawbridgeandtheinletoftheboulevardwerechokedwiththepress，andmenwereleapingfrombankandbridgeintotheboats，orintothewater，whilesomixedwerefriendsandfoesthatFlavy，inagreatvoice，badearchersandartillerymenholdtheirhands。

Townsfolk，too，weremingledinthethrong，menwhohadcomebuttogapeascuriousfools，andamongthemIsawthehoodofacordelier，asIglancedfromthefighttomarkhowtheMaidmightforceherwaywithin。Stillshesmote，andD"AulonandPierreduLyssmotemanfully，andanontheygainedalittleway，backingtheirhorses，whileourarchersdarednotshoot，somixedwereFrench，English，andBurgundians。

Flavy，whoworkedlikeamanpossessed，hadturnedabouttogiveanordertothearchersabovehim；hisback，Iswear，wastothepressofflyingmen，totheinletoftheboulevard，andtothedrawbridge，whenhisownvoice，asalldeemedwhoheardit，criedaloud，"Updrawbridge，closegates，downportcullis!"Themenwhosedutyitwaswerestandingreadyatthecranksandpulleys，theirtoolsinhand，andinstantly，groaning，thedrawbridgeflewup，castingintothewaterthemthatwereflyingacross，downcametheportcullis，andslewtwomen，whilethegatesoftheinletoftheboulevardwereswungtoandbarred，all，asitmighthesaid，inthetwinklingofaneye。

Flavyturnedinwrathandgreatamaze:"InGod"sname，whocried？"

heshouted。"Downdrawbridge，upportcullis，opengates!Tothefront，men-at-arms，lancesforward!"

Formostofthemountedmenwhohadfledwerenowsafe，andonfoot，withintheboulevard。

AllthisIheardandsaw，inaglance，whilemyeyeswerefixedontheMaidandthefewwithher。Theywerelostfromoursight，nowandagain，inathrongofPicards，Englishmen，Burgundians，forallhavetheirpartinthisglory。Swordsandaxesfellandrose，steedscounteredandreeled，andthen，theysay，forthisthingI

myselfdidnotsee，aPicardarcher，slippingundertheweaponsandamongthehorses"hoofs，toretheMaidfromsaddlebythelongskirtsofherhucque，andtheywerealluponher。Thisbefellwithinhalfastone"s-throwofthedrawbridge。WhileFlavyhimselftoiledwithhishands，andtoreatthecranksandchains，theMaidwastakenundertheeyesofus，whocouldnotstirtohelpher。NowwasthedayandthehourwhereoftheSaintstoldhernot，thoughsheimploredthemwithtears。NowinthethrongbelowIheardalaughlikethesoundofasawonstone，andonestruckhimthatlaughedonthemouth。ItwasthelaughofthataccursedBrotherThomas!

Ihadlaidmyfaceonmyhands，beingsoweak，andwasweepingforveryrageatthatwhichmyunhappyeyeshadseen，whenIheardthelaugh，andliftingmyheadandlookingforth，Ibeheldthehoodofthecordelier。

"Seizehim!"IcriedtoFatherFrancois，pointingdownatthecordelier。"SeizethatFranciscan，hehasbetrayedher!Run，man，itwashewhocriedinFlavy"svoice，biddingthemraisedrawbridgeandletfallportcullis。Thedevilgavehimthatcrafttocounterfeitmen"svoices。Iknowtheman。Run，FatherFrancois，run!"

"Youaredistraughtwithverygrief，"saidthegoodfather，thetearsrunningdownhisowncheeks；"thatisBrotherThomas，thebestartillerymaninFrance，andFlavy"schieftrustwiththecouleuvrine。Hecameinbutfourdaysagone，andtherewasgreatjoyofhiscoming。”

ThuswastheMaidtaken，byartanddeviceofthedevilandBrotherThomas，andinnootherwise。TheywhotellthatFlavysoldher，closingthegatesinherface，dohimwrong；hewasanillman，butloyaltoFrance，aswasseenbytheverydefencehemadeatCompiegne，fortherewasnonelikeitinthiswar。ButofwhatavailwasthattouswholovedtheMaid？Rather，manytimes，wouldIhavediedinthathourthanhaveseenwhatIsaw。Forourenemiesmadenomoretarrying，noranyonslaughtontheboulevard，butrodeswiftlybackwiththeprizetheyhadtaken，withherwhomtheyfearedmorethananyknightorcaptainofFrance。ThispagewhereonIwork，inahandfeebleandold，andwearywithmuchwriting，isblottedwithtearsthatwillnotbeheldin。ButwemustbowhumblytothewillofGodandofHisSaints。"Dominusdedit，etDominusabstulit；benedictumsitnomenDomini。”

WhereforeshouldIsaymore？Theycarriedmebackinlitteroverthebridge，throughthegrowingdarkness。Everychurchwasfullofwomenweepingandprayingforherthatwasthefriendofthem，andtheplaymateoftheirchildren，forallchildrenshedearlyloved。

ConcerningFlavy，itwassaid，bythemwholovedhimnot，thatheshowednosignofsorrow。ButwhenhisownbrotherLouisfell，laterinthesiege，abrotherwhomhedearlyloved，nonesawhimweep，oralterthefashionofhiscountenance；nay，hebademusiciansplaymusicbeforehim。

IbesoughtthePrior，whenIwasbornehome，thatImightbecarriedtoFlavy，andtellhimthatIknew。Butheforbademe，sayingthat，inverytruth，Iknewnought，ornothingthatcouldbebroughtagainstaChurchman，andoneinaplaceoftrust。ForIhadnotseenthelipsofthecordeliermovewhenthatcommandwasgiven——

nay，atthemomentIsawhimnotatall。NorcouldIevenprovetoothersthathehadthisdevilishart，therebeingbutmyoathagainsthis，andassuredlyhewoulddenythething。AndthoughI

mightbeassuredandcertainwithinmyself，yetotherwitnessIhadnoneatall，norwereanyofmyfriendstherewhocouldspeakwithme。ForD"Aulon，andPasquerel，andPierreduLyshadallbeentakenwiththeMaid。ItwaslongindeedbeforePierreduLyswasfree，forhehadnomoneytoransomhimselfwithal。ThereforeFlavy，knowingmeonlyforawoundedScotoftheMaid"s，wouldthinkmeabrainsickman，andaslikeasnotgivememoreofOiserivertodrinkthanIcraved。

Withthesereasoningsitbehovedmetocontentmyself。ThenightI

passedinprayersfortheMaid，andformyself，thatImightyetdojusticeonthatdevil，or，atleast，mightseejusticedone。Buthowtheseorisonswereansweredshallbeseenintheend，wheretoI

nowhasten。

CHAPTERXXVII——HOWNORMANLESLIEFAREDINCOMPIEGNE，WITHTHEEND

OFTHATLEAGUER

AboutallthatbefellinthebesiegedcityofCompiegne，afterthatwickeddayofdestinywhentheMaidwastaken，IheardforlongonlyfromtheJacobinbrothers，andfromoneBarthelemyBarrette。HewasaPicardyman，moreloyalthanmostofhiscountry，whohadjoinedtheMaidafterthefrayatParis。Nowhecommandedahundredofhercompany，whodidnotscatteraftershewastaken，andhewasthebestfriendIthenhad。

"Theburgessesarenowhitdismayed，"saidhe，comingintomychamberafterthedayoftheAscension，whichwasthesecondafterthecaptureoftheMaid。"TheyhavesentamessengertotheKing，andexpectsuccour。”

"Theysueforgraceatagracelessface，"saidI，inthecountryproverb；formyheartwashotagainstKingCharles。

"Thatistobeseen，"saidbe。"ButassuredlytheDukeofBurgundyismorekeenabouthisownbusiness。”

"HowfaretheBurgundians？"Iasked，"for，indeed，Ihaveheardthegunsspeaksincedawn，butnoneofthegoodfatherscarestogoevenontotheroofofthechurchtowerandbringmetidings，forfearofastraycannon-ball。”

"Forholymentheyarewondrouscharyoftheirlives，"saidBarthelemy，laughing。"WereIamonk，Iwouldwelcomedeaththatshouldunfrockme，andletmegoa-wanderinginParadiseamongthesefairladysaintsweseeinthepictures。”

"Itiswritten，Barthelemy，thatthereisneithermarryingnorgivinginmarriage。”

"Faith，themoreIamfainofit，"saidBarthelemy，"andmaybeI

mighttakethewrongtrack，andgetintotheParadiseofMahound，which，Ihaveheard，isnoillplaceforaman-at-arms。”

Thismanhadnomorefaiththanapaynim，but，nonetheless，wasastoutcarlinwar。

"Butthatmindsme，"quothhe，"oftheverythingIcamehithertotellyou。OnepriestthereisinCompiegnewhotakesnokeepofhislife，acordelier。Whatailsyou，man？doesyourleggiveatwinge？"

"Ay，ashrewdtwingeenough。”

"Truly，youlookpaleenough。”

"Itisgone，"Isaid。"Tellmeofthatcordelier。”

"Doyouseethislittlerod？"heasked，puttinginmyhandawandofdarkwood，carvenwiththeheadofastrangebeastinacowl。

"Iseeit。”

"Howmanynotchesarecutinit？"

"Five，"Isaid。"Butwhyspoilyouyourrod？"

"FivemenofEnglandorBurgundythatcordeliershotthisday，fromthecreneauxoftheboulevardwheretheMaid，"crossinghimself，"wastaken。Afellmanheis，strongandtall，withalonghookednose，andasblackasSathanas。”

"Howcomesheinarms？"Iasked。

"FlavycalledhiminfromValenciennes，wherehewasaboutsomebusinessofhisown，forthereisnogreatermasteroftheculverin。

And，faith，ashesays，he"hashadraresport，andwillhaveforlong。""

"Wasthereanonfalloftheenemy？"

"Nay，theyareoverwary。Heshotthemastheydugbehindpavises。

{36}FortheDukehasmovedhisquarterstoVenette，wheretheEnglishlay，hardbythetown。And，rightinthemiddleofthecausewaytoMargny，twoarrow-shotsfromourbridgeend，heislettingbuildagreatbastille，anddiggingatrenchwhereinmenmaygotoandfro。Thecordelierwasasgladofthatasamanwhohasstalkedacoveyofpartridges。"Keepmytallyforme，"hesaidtomyself；"cutanotchforeverymanIslay"；andhere，"saidBarthelemy，wavinghisstaff，"ishisfirstday"sreckoning。”

NowIwellsawwhatchanceIhadofbringingthatdeviltojustice，forwhowouldbelievesostrangeataleasmineagainstonesoserviceableinthewar？NorwasD"Aulonheretospeakforme，theenemyhavingtakenhimwhentheytooktheMaid。Thinkingthus，I

groaned，andBarthelemy，fearingthathehadweariedme，saidfarewell，andwentout。

Everyevening，aftersunset，hewouldcomein，andpartlycheerme，bytellinghowhardilyourpeopleborethem，partlybreakmyheartwithfreshtidingsofthatdevil，BrotherThomas。

"Thingsgonotill，hadwebuthopeofsuccour，"hesaid。"TheDuke"sbastilleisrising，indeed，andtheDukeisbuildingtaudis{37}ofoakenbeamsandearth，betweenthebastilleandourboulevard。Theskillistodrawnearerus，andnearer，tillhecanminebeneathourfeet。Heardyouanynewnoiseofwarthisday？"

"Iheardsucharoarandclatterasneverwasinmyears，whetheratOrleansorParis。”

"Andwellyoumight!Thisconventisintheverylineofthefire。

Theyhavefourgreatbombardsplaced，everyoneofthemwithadevilishNetherlandnameofitsown。ThereisHoupembiere，——thatmeansthebeer-barrel，Itakeit，——andLaRougeBombarde，andRemeswalleandQuincequin，everyoneshootingstoneballsthirtyinchesingirth。Thehousesonthebridgeareaheapofstones，themillsarebattereddown，andwemustgrindourmealinthecity，inacellar，forwhatIcantell。NomDieu!whentheytaketheboulevardwelosetheriver，andifoncetheybarourgatestotheeast，whenceshallviandscome？"

"Istherenogoodtidingsfromthemessenger？"

"TheKinganswerseverlikeadrawerinatavern，"Anon，anon，sir!"

Hewillcomehimselfpresently，alwayspresently，withallhishost。”

"Hewillnevercome，"Isaid。"Heisa……"

"HeismyKing，"saidBarthelemy。"CurseyourownKingofScots，ifyouwill。Scots，bythebloodofIscariot，traitorsarethey；well，Icraveyourpardon，Ispakeinhasteandanger。KnowyouNicholeCammet？"

"Ihaveheardoftheman，"Isaid。"Atown"smessenger，ishenot？"

"Thesame。Butaweekagone，CammetwassentonaswifthorsetoChateauThierry。ThegoodtowncravedofPothondeXaintrailles，whocommandsthere，tosendthemwhatsaltpetrehecouldspareformakinggunpowder。ThesaltpetrecameinthisdaybythePierrefondsGate，andCammetwithit，butonanotherhorse，ajade。”

"Well，andwhathavetheScotstodowiththat？"

"Nomorethanthis。Aparcelofthem，routiersandbrigands，havecreptintoanoldcastleontheroad，andholditfortheirownhands。ThencetheysalliedforthafterCammet，andsochasedhimthathishorsefelldowndeadunderhiminthegatewayofChateauThierry。”

"TheywouldbemenoftheLandDebatable，"Icried:"ElliotsandArmstrongs，theyneverdoabetterdeed，beingcorruptedbydwellingnighourenemiesofEngland。FainwouldIpayforthathorse；seehere，"andItookforthmypursefromundermypillow，"takethattotheattournes，andsayaScotatonesforwhatScotshavedone。”

"Norman，Itakebackmyword；Icraveyourpardon，andIamshamedtohavespokensotoasickmanofhisowncountryfolk。Butforyourpurse，Iamillatcarryingpurses；Ihavenoskillinthatart，andthedicedrawmewhenIheartherattleofthem。Butlookatthecordelier"stally:fourmento-day，threeyesterday；faith，hethinsthem!"

Indeed，toshortenalongstory，bytheendofBarthelemy"scountthereweretwohundredandthirty-ninenotchesontherod。Thathekeptatruescore(tillhestintedandreckonednomore)，Iknow，havingprooffromtheotherside。Fortwelveyearsthereafter，I

fallingintodiscoursewithMessireGeorgesChastellain，anesquireoftheDukeofBurgundy，andamakerbothofverseandprose，hetoldmethesametaletoaman，threehundredmen。AndImakenodoubtbutthathehaswrittenitinhisbookofthepraiseofhisprince，andofthesewars，towitnessifIlie。

Consider，then，whathopeIhadofbeinglistenedtobyFlavy，orbytheattournes(or，aswesay，bailies)，ofthegoodtown，if，beingrecoveredfrommybrokenlimbs，Ibroughtmywitnesstotheirears。

Nonetheless，theenemybatteredatuseverydaywiththeirengines，destroying，asBarthelemyhadsaid，thehousesonthebridge，andthemills，sothattheycouldnolongergrindthecorn。

AndnowcametheEarlsofHuntingdonandArundel，withtwothousandEnglishmen，whiletousappearednosuccour。Soatlength，beingsmittenbyballsfromabove，andruinedbyminesdugunderearthfrombelow，ourcompanythatheldtheboulevardatthebridgeendweresurprisedinthenight，andsomeweretaken，somedrownedintheriverOise。Whereforewasgreatsorrowandfear，themoreforthattheDukeofBurgundyletbuildabridgeofwoodfromVenette，tocomeandgoacrossOise，wherebywewerenowassailedonbothhands，forhithertowehadbeenfreetocomeandgoonthelandwardside，andthroughalltheforestofPierrefonds。Wehadbutonegateunbeleaguered，theChapelGate，leadingtoChoisyandthenorth-east。Nowwerewestraitenedforprovender，notablyforfreshmeat，andmenweredriven，asinacitybeleaguered，toeatthefleshofdeadhorses，andevenofratsanddogs，whereofIhavepartaken，anditisillfood。

Nonethelessweendured，despitethemurmuringofthecommons，sostrongaremen"shearts；moreover，allFrancelaystakedonthisonecastofthedice，nolessthanatOrleansintheyearbefore。

Somewhatwewerekeptinheartbytidingsotherwisebitter。ForwordcamethattheMaid，beinginwardatBeaurevoir，astrongplaceofJeandeLuxembourg，hadleapedinthenightfromthetopofthetower，andhad，nextmorning，beentakenupallunhurt，asby，miracle，butastoundedandbereftofhersenses。Forthistherewasmuchsorrow，butwouldtoGodthatHehadtakenhertoHimselfinthathour!

Nevertheless，whenshewascometoherselfagain，shedeclared，byinspirationoftheSaints，thatCompiegneshouldbedeliveredbeforetheseasonofMartinmas。WhenceI，forone，drewgreatcomfort，noreveragaindespaired，andmanywerefilledwithcouragewhenthistidingscametoourears，hopingforsomemiracle，asatOrleans。

Now，too，Godbegantotakepityuponus；for，onAugustthefifteenth，theeighty-fifthdayofthesiege，camenewstotheDukeofBurgundythatPhilip，DukeofBrabant，wasdead，andhemustgotomakesureofthatgreatheritage。TheDukehavingdeparted，theEnglishEarlshadfarlessheartfortheleaguer；Iknownotwellwherefore，butnow，atleast，wasseenthetruthofthatproverbconcerningthe"eyeofthemaster。”Thebastille，too，whichourenemieshadmadetopreventusfromgoingoutbyourPierrefondsGateonthelandwardside，wasnegligentlybuilt，andofnogreatstrength。Allthisgaveussomeheart，somuchthatmyhosts，thegoodJacobins，andtheholysistersoftheConventofSt。John，strippedtheleadfromtheirroofs，andbestoweditonthetown，formunitionofwar。AndwhenIwasincasetowalkuponthewalls，andabovetheriver，ImightseemenandboysdivinginthewaterandsearchingforEnglishcannon-balls，whichweshotbackattheEnglish。