midnight
Then there was the affair near Lagny , where we charged the intrenched Burgundians through the open field four times , the last time victoriously ; the best prize of it Franquet d'Arras , the free-booter and pitiless scourge of the region roundabout . Now and then other such affairs ; and at last , away toward the end of May , 1430 , we were in the neighborhood of Compiegne , and Joan resolved to go to the help of that place , which was being besieged by the Duke of Burgundy . I had been wounded lately , and was not able to ride without help ; but the good Dwarf took me on behind him , and I held on to him and was safe enough . We started at midnight , in a sullen downpour of warm rain , and went slowly and softly and in dead silence , for we had to slip through the enemy 's lines . We were challenged only once ; we made no answer , but held our breath and crept steadily and stealthily along , and got through without any accident . About three or half past we reached Compiegne , just as the gray dawn was breaking in the east . Joan set to work at once , and concerted a plan with Guillaume de Flavy , captain of the city -- a plan for a sortie toward evening against the enemy , who was posted in three bodies on the other side of the Oise , in the level plain .