usting to the many faces
and many arms raised toward her. But though many gallant men were there,
only one stood fast just where she fell, and that one was the youth,
Firm Gundry. Upon him she fell, like a stone from heaven, and though
he held up his arms in the smoky glare, she came down badly: badly, at
least, for him, but, as her father said, providentially; for one of
her soles, or heels, alighted on the bridge of Ephraim's young nose. He
caught her on his chest, and forgetful of himself, he bore her to her
friends triumphantly, unharmed, and almost smiling. But the symmetry of
an important part of his face was spoiled forever.

When I heard of this noble affair, and thought of my own pusillanimous
rendering--for verily I had been low enough, from rumors of Firm's
pugnacity, to attribute these little defects of line to some fisticuffs
with some miner--I looked at Firm's nose through the tears in my eyes,
and had a great mind not to go away at all. For what is the noblest of
all things in man--as I bitterly learned thereafter, and already had
some guesses? Not the power of moving multitudes with eloquence or by
orders; not the elevation of one tribe through the lowering of others,
nor even the imaginary lift of all by sentiments as yet above them:
there may be glory in all of these, but the greatness is not with them.
It remains with those who behave like Firm, and get their noses broken.

However, I did not know those things at that time of life, though I
thought it right for every man to be brave and good; and I could not
help asking who the young lady was, as if that were part of the heroism.
The Sawyer, who never was unready for a joke, of however ancient
quality, gave a great wink at Firm (which I failed to understand), and
asked him how much the young lady was worth. He expected that Firm
would say, "Five hundred thousand dollars"--which was about her value, I
believe--and Uncle Sam wanted me to hear it; not that he cared a single
cent himself, but to let me know what Firm could do.

Firm, however, was not to be led into any trap of that sort. He knew me
better than the old man did, and that nothing would stir me to jealousy,
and he quite disappointed the Sawyer.

"I have never asked what she is worth," he said, with a glance
of contempt at money; "but she scarcely seems worth looking at,
compared--compared with certain others."

In the distance I saw the young lady again, attempting no attraction,
but wal