In The Bronze Bow, what is Nathan's personality like?

Nathan, the first boy Daniel recruits to join his band in the village, is a proud, feisty, loyal young man. The pride he displays is not arrogance, but rather an unwillingness to be subdued or to compromise his principles. When Daniel first meets him, he has come to the blacksmith shop sporting a black eye. His own friends beat him up because his father had recently become a tax collector. When Daniel volunteers to walk...

Nathan, the first boy Daniel recruits to join his band in the village, is a proud, feisty, loyal young man. The pride he displays is not arrogance, but rather an unwillingness to be subdued or to compromise his principles. When Daniel first meets him, he has come to the blacksmith shop sporting a black eye. His own friends beat him up because his father had recently become a tax collector. When Daniel volunteers to walk home with him, he refuses Daniel's help, saying he can take care of himself. Nathan also exhibits his pride, or self-sufficiency, at his wedding. Not wanting his friends to believe that his wedding has been funded on the backs of the Jewish citizens by his father's income as a tax-collector, Nathan instead settles for a simple feast that he can afford to pay for himself.

Nathan is feisty. One of the things that attracts Daniel to Nathan is that Daniel senses he is a fighter. Indeed, when Daniel leaves the shop with Nathan and six or seven boys attack, Daniel is impressed with his physical prowess in the altercation. Nathan is the one to boldly suggest that the boys in the band brand themselves to show they belong to the same cause. When Daniel fails to secure Rosh's help to free Joel from the Romans, Nathan tells Daniel, "I'll go down with you." 

Finally, Nathan is loyal to Daniel. He tells Daniel that if Daniel wants, he can recruit ten boys from the village to join the band. When Daniel realizes Rosh won't help rescue Joel and suggests they vote for a leader, Nathan responds, "There's no need to vote," giving Daniel his utmost dedication. Daniel learns from Kemuel that Nathan died when he "leaned too far out to pull you down."

Nathan, a memorable character who adds emotion and depth to the novel, is depicted as appropriately proud, feisty, and loyal to Daniel.