He is a fine fellow , and I ca n't decide whether he is going to spoil his life marrying that silly woman , or do something grand and generous , and not be made a fool of . '' `` Upon my soul , I do n't know myself . It is very hard to find new finales . Ca n't you suggest something , Major ? then I shall not be obliged to leave my story without an end , as people complain I am rather fond of doing . '' `` Well , no , I do n't think I 've anything to offer . Seems to me it is n't the sensational exploits that show the hero best , but some great sacrifice quietly made by a common sort of man who is noble without knowing it . I saw a good many such during the war , and often wish I could write them down , for it is surprising how much courage , goodness and real piety is stowed away in common folks ready to show when the right time comes . '' `` Tell us one of them , and I 'll bless you for a hint . No one knows the anguish of an author 's spirit when he ca n't ring down the curtain on an effective tableau , '' said Randal , with a glance at his friends to ask their aid in eliciting an anecdote or reminiscence . `` Tell about the splendid fellow who held the bridge , like Horatius , till help came up . That was a thrilling story , I assure you , '' answered Sophie , with an inviting smile . But Saul would not be his own hero , and said briefly : `` Any man can be brave when the battle-fever is on him , and it only takes a little physical courage to dash ahead . '' He paused a moment , with his eyes on the snowy landscape without , where twilight was deepening ; then , as if constrained by the memory that winter scene evoked , he slowly continued , -- `` One of the bravest things I ever knew was done by a poor fellow who has been a hero to me ever since , though I only met him that night . It was after one of the big battles of that last winter , and I was knocked over with a broken leg and two or three bullets here and there . Night was coming on , snow falling , and a sharp wind blew over the field where a lot of us lay , dead and alive , waiting for the ambulance to come and pick us up . There was skirmishing going on not far off , and our prospects were rather poor between frost and fire . I was calculating how I 'd manage , when I found two poor chaps close by who were worse off , so I braced up and did what I could for them . One had an arm blown away , and kept up a dreadful groaning . The other was shot bad , and bleeding to death for want of help , but never complained .
He was nearest , and I liked his pluck , for he spoke cheerful and XXXXX me ashamed to growl .
Seems bless blown brave calculating came made pick ring show