They would burn the gate, they cried; they would fire the town, but they would follow the Maid and the guidance of the saints.
Thereon stones began to fly, and arbalests were bended, till the Maid turned, and, facing the throng, her banner lifted as in anger-- "Back, my good friends and people of Orleans," she said, "back and open the postern door in the great tower on the river wall.

By one way or another shall I meet the English this day, nor shall might of man prevent me." Then many ran back, and soon came the cry that the postern was opened, and thither streamed the throng.

Therefore Gaucourt saw well that an onslaught would verily be made; moreover, as a man wise in war, he knew that the townsfolk, that day, would be hard to hold, and would go far.

So he even yielded, not ungraciously, and sending a messenger to the Bastard and the captains, he rode forth from the Burgundy Gate by the side of the Maid.

He was, indeed, little minded to miss his part of the honour; nor were the other captains more backward, for scarce had we taken boat and reached the farther bank, when we saw the banners of the Bastard and La Hire, Florent d'Illiers and Xaintrailles, Chambers and Kennedy, above the heads of the armed men who streamed forth by the gate of Burgundy.