PORTRAIT. 93 



I found him a man somewhat, as I 

 thought, over fi ve-and-thirty, a little above 

 the middle height, attenuated in body, with 

 every appearance of having suffered much 

 from the climate, fatigue, and early and 

 long exposure to the sun ; his features 

 were regular and pleasing, his countenance, 

 though not strongly marked or even bright, 

 was intelligent, his eye clear, his look pene- 

 trating ; but there was at that time to my 

 idea a depression or thoughtfulness on his 

 brow, an habitual melancholy pervading 

 all his aspect, that told, as I thought, of 

 bygone and severe trials. 



On my introduction but few words 

 passed between us, but enough to in- 

 spire me with a respect that required 

 something more than mere rank to ac- 

 count for. Some conversation must have 

 taken place between my captain and this 

 extraordinary person before I finally 

 found myself accompanying him on the 

 passage home, to which I must chiefly 



