Indeed it seemed plain to all that the Generals had made a great blunder; for though we marched on to Checy, where Dunois met us, and whence some of the provisions brought for the starving city could be dispatched in the boats assembled there, it was plain that there was no transport sufficient for the bulk of the army; and the Maid, as she and Dunois stood face to face, at last regarded him with a look of grave and searching scrutiny.

“Are you he whom men call the Bastard of Orleans?”

“Lady, I am; and I come to welcome you with gladness, for we are sore beset by our foes; yet all within the city are taking heart of grace, believing that a Deliverer from Heaven has been sent to them.”

“They think well,” answered the Maid, “and right glad am I to come.  But wherefore have I been led hither by this bank, instead of the one upon which Talbot and his English lie?”

“Lady, the wisest of our leaders held that this would be the safest way.”

“The counsel of God and our Lord is more sure and more powerful than that of generals and soldiers,” she answered gravely.  “You have made an error in this.  See to it that such error be not repeated.  I will that in all things my Lord be obeyed.”

The Generals stood dumb and discomfited before her; a thrill ran through the army when her words were repeated there; but, indeed, we all quickly saw the wisdom of her counsel and the folly of her adversaries; for the bulk of the army had perforce to march back to Blois to cross the river there, whilst only a thousand picked men with the chiefest of the Generals and the convoys of provisions prepared to enter the city by water and pass through the Burgundy Gate.

At the first it seemed as though even this would be a dangerous task, for the wind blew hard in a contrary direction, and the deeply-laden boats began to be in peril of foundering.  But as we stood watching them from the bank, and saw their jeopardy, and some were for recalling them and waiting, the Maid’s voice suddenly rang forth in command: 

“Leave them alone, and hasten forward with the others.  The wind will change, and a favouring breeze shall carry us all safe into the city.  The English shall not fire a shot to hinder us, for the fear of the Maid has fallen upon them!”

We gazed at her in wonder as she stood a little apart, her face full of power and calm certainty.  And indeed, it was but a very few minutes later that the wind dropped to a dead calm, and a light air sprang up from a contrary direction, and the laden boats gladly spreading sail, floated quietly onwards with their precious load towards the suffering city.

Then we embarked, somewhat silently, for the awe which fell upon those who had never seen the Maid before, extended even to us.  Moreover, with those frowning towers of the English so close upon us, crowded with soldiers who seemed to know what was happening, and who were coming into Orleans, it was scarce possible not to look for resistance and hostile attack.