It was certain that none of the ranchmen in the vicinity owned such a dog, and even so, or if a visitor owned him, how would he get to the Bar O?
Walk, with "them legs"?
While the discussion went on, the subject of it gulped down large chunks of beef which Whitey had begged from the cook, and after that he went with the men and boys to the ranch house, where, with an apologetic leer, and a wiggle of his tail, he stretched himself on the veranda, and fell into a deep sleep.

He was very grateful, but he was also very tired.
In a lonely ranch house matters are of concern which would create little comment in a city.

This dog's coming was in the nature of an event at the Bar O.Bill, the foreman, and all the punchers were ready to neglect work for a considerable time and talk about it.

Even Injun occasionally looked interested.

But all the talk could not solve the problem of the animal's presence.
The only one who knew lay sleeping on the veranda and couldn't tell.