river to come to its help, cross in force and capture those works.
This would give them the bridge and free communication with the
Sologne, which was French territory. They decided to keep this
latter part of the program secret from Joan.
Joan intruded and took them by surprise. She asked them what
they were about and what they had resolved upon. They said they
had resolved to attack the most important of the English bastilles
on the Orleans side next morning–and there the spokesman
stopped. Joan said:
“Well, go on.”
“There is nothing more. That is all.”
“Am I to believe this? That is to say, am I to believe that you have
lost your wits?” She turned to Dunois, and said, “Bastard, you have
sense, answer me this: if this attack is made and the bastille taken,
how much better off would we be than we are now?”
The Bastard hesitated, and then began some rambling talk not
quite germane to the question. Joan interrupted him and said:
“That will not do, good Bastard, you have answered. Since the
Bastard is not able to mention any advantage to be gained by
taking that bastille and stopping there, it is not likely that any of
you could better the matter. You waste much time here in
inventing plans that lead to nothing, and making delays that are a
damage. Are you concealing something from me? Bastard, this
council has a general plan, I take it; without going into details,
what is it?”
“It is the same it was in the beginning, seven months ago–to get
provisions for a long siege, then sit down and tire the English out.”
“In the name of God! As if seven months was not enough, you
want to provide for a year of it. Now ye shall drop these
pusillanimous dreams–the English shall go in three days!”
Several exclaimed:
“Ah, General, General, be prudent!”
“Be prudent and starve? Do ye call that war? I tell you this, if you
do not already know it: The new circumstances have changed the
face of matters. The true point of attack has shifted; it is on the
other side of the river now. One must take the fortifications that
command the bridge. The English know that if we are not fools
and cowards we will try to do that. They are grateful for your piety
in wasting this day. They will reinforce the bridge forts from this
side to-night, knowing what ought to happen to-morrow. You have
but lost a day and made our task harder, for we will cross and take
the bridge forts. Bastard, tell me the truth–does not this council
know that there is no other course for us than the one I am
speaking of?”
Dunois conceded that the council did know it to be the most
desirable, but considered it impracticable; and he excused the
council as well as he could by saying that inasmuch as nothing was
really and rationally to be hoped for but a long continuance of the
siege and wearying out of the English, they were naturally a little
afraid of Joan’s impetuous notions. He said:
“You see, we are sure that the waiting game is the best, whereas
you would carry everything by storm.”
“That I would!–and moreover that I will! You have my
orders–here and now. We will move upon the forts of the south
bank to-morrow at dawn.”
“And carry them by storm?”
“Yes, carry them by storm!”
La Hire came clanking in, and heard the last remark. He cried out:
“By my baton, that is the music I love to hear! Yes, that is the right
time and the beautiful words, my General–we will carry them by
storm!”
He saluted in his large way and came up and shook Joan by the
hand.
Some member of the council was heard to say:
“It follows, then, that we must begin with the bastille St. John, and
that will give the English time to–”
Joan turned and said:
“Give yourselves no uneasiness about the bastille St. John. The
English will know enough to retire from it and fall back on the
bridge bastilles when they see us coming.” She added, with a touch