It is easier to begin upon quotations than to cease from them. I may fitly close this chapter with a passage from Boucher de Molandon: "All those to whom it has been given to kindle the nations, have cared much less to be in advance of their time than to make use of the exciting elements of the time itself. Such is Jeanne d'Arc, whose merit and power alike it was not to innovate upon, but to draw from her epoch the best that it contained. Skilful above all others in finding happy expressions, the ringing note that roused to action, when she speaks of the blood of France, it is because the word has a meaning for all; she wakes a great echo. She sounds the ancient trumpet blast, and the illustrious dead, from Clovis to Du Guesclin, stir in their tombs, and cause the soil of France to tremble under their discouraged descendants." FOOTNOTES: [42] Quicherat. [43] Translated by F. C. Lowell. [44] Translated by F. C. Lowell. [45] Pasquerel, translated by F. C. Lowell. [46] Guizot. [47] Guizot. [48] _Fille Dé, va, va, va! je serai à ton aide; va!_ [49] 1918. [50] Afterward Louis XI. [51] Lowell, pp. 120-123. [52] Lowell. Lang calls it June 9th. [53] Lang, pp. 136 and 137. CHAPTER XII THE WEEK OF VICTORIES On June 11th, as we have seen, Joan rode forth on her new errand. Beside food and ammunition, grateful Orleans furnished artillery for the expedition. Five sloops, manned by forty boatmen, brought heavy guns and field pieces down the river, while "twenty-four horses were needed to drag the chariot of the huge gun of position, resembling Mons Meg, now in Edinburgh Castle."[54] Ropes and scaling-ladders, too, were provided; these were easily carried. Thus equipped, the troop marched bravely on, halting only when a short march from the town of Jargeau. The town apparently awaited them with little concern. Its walls were strong, its fosse deep and filled with water. Inside was the Earl of Suffolk with six hundred men, an ample number for defence. He was probably watching at this moment from the church tower, but he made no sign. A discussion rose among the leaders of the advancing troop. Should they storm the fortress, or proceed by slower methods? Joan was for the assault. "Success is certain," she said. "If I had not assurance of this from God, I would rather herd sheep than put myself in so great jeopardy."