Somers had always appeared the one best to avoid.
Colter espied her and called her to "Come an' feed your pale face." His comrades laughed, not loudly, but guardedly, as if noise was something to avoid.

Nevertheless, they awoke Tad Jorth, who began to toss and moan on the bed.
Ellen hurried to his side and at once ascertained that he had a high fever and was in a critical condition.

Every time he tossed he opened a wound in his right breast, rather high up.

For all she could see, nothing had been done for him except the binding of a scarf round his neck and under his arm.

This scant bandage had worked loose.