Maryland free press., 1866-08-30
A. q. BOYD, Publisher,
thoughts were dissipated. at this news, and
she thought but Of yictoryT-7she felt only
the enthusiasm of her divine mission y Asi


William de Flavy, according to his Gus
tom. was feasting and making merry alta
BILE with his female favorites. The door
suddenly opened. and Joan of Arc appear
ed "De Flavy," cried she, sis this the
way to propitiate heaven? Arise aud pray!
The moment of battle has come, and
whether Providence has victory or death
in store for US, a spotless soul is necessary
to deserve -the- one and brave the other. a.,
William arose and went to put on his ar
mour. ~ A soldier from his cradle, he was
unab g to remain deaf to such an appeal to
battle; but he murmured to himself, "Ac-
cursed maiden! you shall dearly pay for
the torinenls and hdmiliations you have
caused"
.: About one in. afternoon the maiden is
sued with her people by the gate of the
bridge over the-river Aisne. The Eng
lish, encamped on the other side, were al
most unarmed and expecting no attack
They however,; fIastiiy ybntsto arms and
formed an. irregular force more numerous
than their adversaries Joan ut the head
of the French, twice made them give way;
but at last it became necessary for her to
retreat. William dc Flavy, remained
with a body of troops at the barrier of the
bridge on the side of the city, as reserve;
but he abstained from affordmg Joan as
sistance. : = .
The French were beaten back on the
bridge; the retrcating army rushed precip-
itately on it, and pressed by the increas-
ing numbers, it forced nnn ard horses on
the right and on the left into the river
However, Joan remained with the last on
the field, and her redoubtcd standard, the
prestige that was attachedto her person,
the bravery of the few troops that surround
cd h:r, still held the enemy in check.
The French had re-entered Compeigne, except
ing the group who still fought with Joan of Are,
and who were slowly retiring ON the town.
Flavy had dispersed the retreating troops as fast
as they came for refuge, and remained almost a.
lone near the barrier Of the bridge. lie approach
ed the man who guarded it.
CLOSE the batteries, F" said he. H ar
"Sir," answered the keeper, "it must not be
so. The maiden has not rc-enered the town."
"Do as / command-I am master here. A
hundred gold crowns are yours if you obey if
not"
lie raised the battle-axe, and the man closed
the barrier by an almost Involuntary movement
The axe was still suspended over his head; the
Keeper locked tic barrier. lie had scarcely thus
obeyed when the battle-axe suddenly fell and
sunk deep in The shoulder. The man fell bathed
in his own blood. Flavy was about TO repeat the
blow.
"What has he donc?n demanded scvera! OFF
GERS who fastened to the spot
81 AM Furnishing miscrcant," answered the
ferocious captain, ''who closed the barrier fthe
bridge against my orders, and caused the loss Of
our people outside. Let me finish this act ofius-
tice. .....,....ti .... ..
'The man is already dead" exclaimed one Of
the officers, kicking the body with his foot "Let
us rather see about o! ening the barrier"
dts too latc," cried Flavy. ''The English
have taken the advantage of this fatal delay"
And he pointed between the bars of the barrier
to Joan of Arc, who with her followers had been
surrounded and made prisoners. .t
From that day forward, fresh wrinkles furrow-
ed the care-worn forehead of William de Flavy.
His sleep was agitaed, and he seemed to feel re-
morse-hc who had long exercised without ter
ror, and without shame frghtful tyranny in
Compeigne, as, indeed, wherever he commanded
He defcaded, however, with desperate valor the
place conlided to his charge, and the enemy was
finally compelled to raise the siege.
Charles VII, whom j oan of Arcs example
had reused for moment from his ordinary in
dolence, once more sunk into his voluptuous letil-
and approved. The king was feasting with that
gentleman and Others Of lis clique, when a horn
was sounded before the castle gate. A vassal en-
| tered 10 announce La Hire, William dc Fluvy,
and several other knights and soldiers. The king
| gave orders for them 10 Lc admitted. H.
''Be seated at this banquet, my ai'hfui SER
wants." cried he, ''and ro,r rs the king OF
frances table is you are welcome it,"
"Sire," said Flavy, with his usual bluntne.s,
iS mt flr no IN TAXI nj Nv
but for you to place yourself at our head, for ".
have resolved on an expedition in which you
must take the lead. Wemust force our way &c
Rouen, and recover all Normandy" = '.
| "And deliver the maiden," added La Hire.
"And why do you want the king to do thiS?i'
replied La Trcmoille "why expose him so use
Iessly2 The king will march TO your assistance
if you are defeated -Haf"
"Yes, y rejoined Flavy with anger, Che will
repair TO the field when there will be no soldiers
| eftl This is the advice Of a trifer, to say nc
more"
''Your remonstrance is inso!ent," replied Ii
| Tremoille, rising. '.s.-. --. It.I
| "Silenccl' interposed the king: "Do not shet
blood in my presence as If heaven had not sen
you enough of the English to satisfy your dc
etruciive propensities. But there is no hurry, mi
| brave Flavy," continued he, turning in his arm
chair. ....f ... ...... ..-....
mo there is no hurry" replied Flavy, ''tha
is what you are taught 10 tnlnk sire. III VIII On
too soon for you when it is too late for us and 70
France. | would fsin know how the duke q
Burgundy's court pays for the advice given t.
| your grace here?''
La Tremoile started up pale with rage ant
seized a weapon. .n.i 'f ."l
"Dares William dc Favy to speak of treason,
said he in subdued voice. 'hc who abandone,
/ Joan Of Arc to the Englsh?"
Charles VII arose in his turn Cries of as
tonishment resounded from all present.
"Ycs,n resumed La Tremoille, who had ad
vanced too far to retreat; Che who commanded
the bridge keeper ofCompeigne to close the barrie
and cut off Joan of Arcs retreat from before thu
English ranks" z
l. ''rhs panic stricken miscreant himself close
tie barrier in opposition to my orders rejonct
Flavy in nm altered voice. 'But clastised th
traitor on the. spotP' I,
"You struck him, it is true" retorted La Trc
moille ..But an accomplice is more conveniently
got rid Of than anemy." .. ....
"Not word more, said Charles. The king {
France cannot think that one Of his companion
in pleasure and in danger would conspire wit
the Burgundians or with the English as linst hir
or against the holy maiden, the martyr to her dt
yotion in France '',The wretch who closed tn
barrier against her, deserved death. swear o
.l