Bill questioned the men, and their story was brought out.

It seemed that they had come from Billings, in search of work at threshing.

The taller, thin one was named Hank, but was usually called "String Beans," on account of his scissors-like appearance.

He had formerly been a cowpuncher.

The other had been a waiter, until he got too fat, then he had become a cook.
Originally named Albert, after he had waited in a restaurant for a while he had been dubbed "Ham And," which, you may know, is a short way of ordering ham and eggs.