He liked the stickpin.

He was proud of it.
Louder sounds of merriment in the bunk house attracted Whitey, and, leaving Injun to gloat over his treasure, Whitey joined the men inside.
It may have been that they, too, were glad to have laughter help them to forget the dangers and tragedies of the times.

One of them had just told a story--which might have been a story in both senses of the word.
Knowing that a yarn usually comes with a cowboy, or a cowboy usually comes with a yarn, Whitey sat down and waited.
I have written that most of the mirth on the Star Circle was aroused by the troubles of others, but that was not true of all of it.

On a cracker box sat a dreamy-eyed, short, fat puncher; almost too fat for his job.

His nickname was "Single." He had been married five times.