It was ten o'clock in the morning; the passive and active powers of both parties were concentrated on this point; and for a moment the French appeared weary and downcast.

Joan took a scaling-ladder, set it against the rampart, and was the first to mount.

There came an arrow and struck her between neck and shoulder, and she fell.

Sire de Gamaches, who had but lately displayed so much temper towards her, found her where she lay.
"Take my horse," said he, "and bear no malice: I was wrong; I had formed a false idea of you." "Yes," said Joan, "and bear no malice: I never saw a more accomplished knight." She was taken away and had her armor removed.

The arrow, it is said, stood out almost half-a-foot behind.
There was an instant of faintness and tears; but she prayed and felt her strength renewed, and pulled out the arrow with her own hand.
[Illustration: Herself drew out the Arrow----109] Some one proposed to her to charm the wound by means of cabalistic words; but "I would rather die," she said, "than so sin against the will of God.
I know full well that I must die some day; but I know nor where nor when nor how.