They floated me gently and surely to the shore, even as the waters of the Nile bore Moses' basket to Pharaoh's daughter.

The enemy's outposts were stationed around the village of Saint-Nolf; I was hidden in the woods of Grandchamp with fifty men.

Recommending my soul to God, I left the woods alone.

'Lord God,' I said, 'if it be Thy will that Milliere die, let that sentry fire upon me and miss me; then I will return to my men and leave that sentry unharmed, for Thou wilt have been with him for an instant.' I walked to the Republican; at twenty paces he fired and missed me.

Here is the hole in my hat, an inch from my head; the hand of God had aimed that weapon.