"You are very attentive to what is said to you. That is a very good
thing; but that is not the way to do, to put your money down on a table
like that. Give it to me."

He took it, and went over to pay for their passage; but when he drew out
his heavy leathern purse, full of silver pieces,--for he was doing a
large business in selling sheep,--he could not find the heart to take
the poor lad's solitary bit of silver; and he brought it back again with
the ticket, saying, "There, you can find better use for your money
to-morrow. Now you are with me, but who knows how it will be after this?
When you are alone down there, and I am not with you any more, shall you
be able to find the house where you are going?"

"No; I do not know any thing about the house," replied Rico.

The man was secretly much surprised, and the lad's story seemed very
mysterious to him. He did not let this appear, however, and asked no
further questions. He said to himself that he should not probably find
out any thing more at present, but would ask the coachman about it the
next time they met. He probably knew the truth, even better than the
child himself did. He felt very sorry for the little fellow, who would
soon be deprived of his protection too.

When the boat stopped, the man took Rico's hand in his, saying, "Now I
shall not lose you, and you can keep up with me better, for we must
hurry along; they won't wait for us."

It was as much as the little fellow could do to keep up with his friend.
He did not turn to look to the right hand nor the left, but presently
stopped before some strange-looking wagons on wheels. They mounted the