At the moment Jed Parker was holding forth to his friend Johnny Stone in reference to another old crony who had that evening joined the round-up.
"Johnny," inquired Jed with elaborate gravity, and entirely ignoring the presence of the subject of conversation, "what is that thing just beyond the fire, and where did it come from ?" Johnny Stone squinted to make sure.
"That ?" he replied.

"Oh, this evenin' the dogs see something run down a hole, and they dug it out, and that's what they got." The newcomer grinned.
"The trouble with you fellows," he proffered "is that you're so plumb alkalied you don't know the real thing when you see it." "That's right," supplemented Windy Bill drily.

"HE come from New York." "No!" cried Jed.

"You don't say so?
Did he come in one box or in two ?" Under cover of the laugh, the newcomer made a raid on the dutch ovens and pails.

Having filled his plate, he squatted on his heels and fell to his belated meal.