In those days the issue of a battle was in the hands of a very few combatants. On the previous day everything had been decided by two or three men. [Footnote 1062: Berry, in _Trial_, vol. iv, pp. 43, 44.] [Footnote 1063: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 292. _Journal du siege_, p. 284, _passim_.] [Footnote 1064: _Journal du siege_, p. 87. Letter from Charles VII to the people of Narbonne (10 May, 1429), in _Trial_, vol. v, pp. 101 _et seq._ _Chronique de la fete_, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 294. Jean Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 77. Morosini, vol. iii, p. 32, note 1.] [Footnote 1065: Jarry, _Le compte de l'armee anglaise_, pp. 94, 95, 136, 206. Boucher de Molandon, _L'armee anglaise_, pp. 94 _et seq._] [Footnote 1066: They were employed chiefly in carrying munitions of war. _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 292.] [Footnote 1067: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 5.] The French assembled before the entrenchments had the air of an immense crowd of idlers looking on while a few men-at-arms attempted an escalade. Notwithstanding the size of the army, for a long while the assault resolved itself into a series of single combats. Twenty times did the most zealous approach the rampart and twenty times they were forced to retreat.[1068] There were some wounded and some slain, but not many. The nobles, who had been making war all their lives, were cautious, while the soldiers of fortune were careful of their men. The townsfolk were novices in war.[1069] The Maid alone threw herself into it with heart and soul. She was continually saying: "Be of good cheer. Do not retreat. The fort will soon be yours."[1070] [Footnote 1068: _Journal du siege_, p. 85. _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 293. Jean Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 77. Morosini, vol. iii, pp. 31 _et seq._] [Footnote 1069: Accounts of fortresses in _Journal du siege_, pp. 296, 300. Vergniaud-Romagnesi, _Notice historique sur le fort des Tourelles_, Paris, in 8vo, 1832, p. 50.] [Footnote 1070: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 293.]