He was holding the cowman under surveillance, ready to report or shoot on the first proof of his real purpose.

The truth flashed upon Hank, and pausing in his walk, without any evidence of what he had discovered, he began a hasty examination of his pockets after the manner of a man who suddenly misses some prized article that he believed to be in his garments.
The little farce was cleverly acted.

Each receptacle was examined several times, some of the pockets being turned wrong side out, while the face of the cowman, or rather his eyes, betrayed his excitement.
Then he looked at the ground in front and at the rear, apparently to learn whether he had dropped the missing treasure.

Failing to find it, he uttered an angry exclamation and walked hurriedly back to his companion.

No one observing the performance would have doubted its meaning.
"I'm going to stay a while with you," he remarked, seating himself upon the ground and lighting his pipe.
"It was a sudden change of mind," replied Jack, glad to have his company.
"Yes; a redskin helped me to make it," and he explained the nature of his discovery.