The other end of the stick, in turn, was made fast to a stake in the ground by means of a leather thong.

The dog was unable to gnaw through the leather at his own end of the stick.

The stick prevented him from getting at the leather that fastened the other end.
Henry nodded his head approvingly.
"It's the only contraption that'll ever hold One Ear," he said.

"He can gnaw through leather as clean as a knife an' jes' about half as quick.
They all'll be here in the mornin' hunkydory." "You jes' bet they will," Bill affirmed.

"If one of em' turns up missin', I'll go without my coffee." "They jes' know we ain't loaded to kill," Henry remarked at bed-time, indicating the gleaming circle that hemmed them in.