In every case it was a musket and not a pike that my hand fell on.

Now we will go on till we are opposite our last watchfire, and then crawl up the hill." They were challenged as they approached the lines.
"A friend," Hector replied.

"An officer of the prince's staff." "Give the countersign," the soldier said.
"Conde." "That is right, but wait until I call an officer." "Good! but make no noise; that is important." The sentinel went to the watchfire, and an officer sitting there at once rose and came forward.
"Advance, officer of the staff!" he said in low tones.

"That is right, monsieur," he went on as Hector advanced close enough to be seen by the light of the fire.
"I have a special pass signed by General Gassion," he said.
The officer took it, and looked at it by the light of the fire.
"That is all in order," he said as he returned it; "but the sentry had the strictest orders that no one coming from the side of the enemy was to be allowed to enter our lines, even if he gave the countersign correctly, until he had been examined by an officer." "He did his duty, sir.

One cannot be too careful on the eve of battle.