"Babes in the wilderness; what, in Heaven's name, ever induced yer dad to let yer come on such a fool trip?
Is n't thar no one to meet yer here, or at Dodge ?" "I--I don't know," she confessed.

"Father was going to come, or else send one of his officers, but I have seen no one.

I am here two days earlier than was expected, and--and I haven't heard from my father since last month.

See, this is his last letter; won't you read it, please, and tell me what I ought to do ?" The man took the letter, and read the three pages carefully, and then turned back to note the date, before handing the sheets across the table.
"The Major sure made his instructions plain enough," he said slowly.
"And yer have n't heard from him since, or seen any one he sent to meet yer ?" The girl shook her head slowly.
"Well, that ain't to be wondered at, either," he went on.

"Things has changed some out yere since that letter was wrote.