He got out of the carriage and went first into the store, coming out presently with some packages in his hand which he tossed to the darky, and then he joined the crowd of men in front of the saloon across the way.

Soon I saw him go into the gin-mill, the crowd following him, and the noise of voices grew louder.

I had had enough experience with such things to know pretty well what was going on; the stink of spilled drinks, and profanity and indecency--there was nothing in them to toll me in from the flowery prairie.
As I passed the carriage Virginia nodded to me; and looking at her I saw that she was pale and tremulous, with a look in her eyes like that of a crazy man I once knew who imagined that he was being followed by enemies who meant to kill him.

There is no word for it but a hunted look.
She came to my wagon, pretty soon, and surprised me by touching my arm as I was about to start on so as to make a few more miles before camping.

I had got my team straightened out, and ready to start, when I felt her hand on my arm, and on turning saw her standing close to me, and speaking almost in a whisper.
"Do you know any one," she asked, "good people--along the road ahead--people we'll overtake--that would be friends to a girl that needs help ?" "Be friends," I blundered, "be friends?
How be friends ?" "Give her work," she said; "take her in; take care of her.