Mail service pony express goes by

a single horseman is going across the prairie. You wave and he swerves to ride over, his hand caustically at his side arm. You talk with him. You ask him for directions to the next town and get them. You ask where you can find work. He suggests the fort ten miles to the east. The injun wars are on and they can always use a extra fighter.

He gives you a couple pulls off his whiskey flask.