Baudricourt made them swear to escort her safely, and on the 25th of February, 1429, he bade her farewell, and all he said was, "Away then, Joan, and come what may." Charles VII.

was at that time residing at Chinon, in Touraine.

In order to get there Joan had nearly a hundred and fifty leagues to go, in a country occupied here and there by English and Burgundians, and everywhere a theatre of war.

She took eleven days to do this journey, often marching by night, never giving up man's dress, disquieted by no difficulty and no danger, and testifying no desire for a halt save to worship God.

"Could we hear mass daily," said she to her comrades, "we should do well." They only consented twice, first in the abbey of St.
Urban, and again in the principal church of Auxerre.