And this man of science perceived that he might do harm to himself and his family by predicting amiss, whereas he could do no good to his patient by predicting rightly.

And so he foretold both good and evil, to meet the intentions of Providence.
He had not been sent for in vain, however; and to give him his due, he saved Ephraim's life, for he drew from the wound a large bullet, which, if left, must have poisoned all his circulation, although it was made of pure silver.

The Sawyer wished to keep this silver bullet as a token, but the doctor said that it belonged to him according to miners' law; and so it came to a moderate argument.

Each was a thoroughly stubborn man, according to the bent of all good men, and reasoning increased their unreason.

But the doctor won--as indeed he deserved, for the extraction had been delicate--because, when reason had been exhausted, he just said this: "Colonel Gundry, let us have no more words.