Twice she charged the men of Luxembourg and drove them back. In vain! the hour was come.
She was alone now, save for her brothers, d'Aulon, and the faithful few, her bodyguard. These could not save her. Round her, like hounds about a deer at bay, leaped and shouted the Burgundian soldiers, all eager for the rich quarry. She was dragged from her horse, beaten to earth. D'Aulon and the rest tried to help her up, but were overwhelmed by numbers and made prisoners, every man of them.
"Yield thee, Pucelle!" cried a dozen voices, as a dozen brawny hands clutched the slight form and held it fast, fast.
Joan raised herself, and looked round on her exulting foes, conquered yet unafraid.
"I have pledged my faith to Another than you!" she said. "To Him I will keep my oath."
So to the will of God she surrendered, who had never yielded to man, and laid down at His feet her glorious sword.
FOOTNOTES:
[63] Lang, p. 190.
[64] They joined her probably at Orleans; little more is known about them.