Page:The last of the Mohicans (1826 Volume 1).djvu/30

 sure of those they served. At a respectful distance from this unusual show, were gathered divers groups of curious idlers,—some admiring the blood and bone of the high-mettled military charger, and others gazing at the preparations with the dull wonder of vulgar curiosity. There was one man, however, who, by his countenance and actions, formed a marked exception to those who composed the latter class of spectators, being neither idle nor seemingly very ignorant.

The person of this remarkable individual was to the last degree ungainly, without being in any particular manner deformed. He had all the bones and joints of other men, without any of their proportions: erect, his stature surpassed that of his fellows; though, seated, he appeared reduced within the ordinary limits of our race. The same contrariety in his members seemed to exist throughout the whole man. His head was large; his shoulders narrow; his arms long and dangling, while his hands were small, if not delicate; his legs and thighs were thin, nearly to emaciation, but of ex-