"I am certain of that.

Nevertheless that does not detract from the courage of his deed.

He had no time to pick out the best place to jump.

He simply took his one chance, and came out all right.

That leap will live in the minds of men as long as yonder bluff stands a monument to McColloch's ride for life." Alfred had listened with intense interest to the Colonel's recital.
When it ended, although his pulses quickened and his soul expanded with awe and reverence for the hero of that ride, he sat silent.
Alfred honored courage in a man more than any other quality.