At last, stung by a scorching volley, she gathered her night-gown tight, and leaped, trusting 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.