The Strength of the Strong

OLD Long-Beard paused in his narrative, licked his greasy fingers, and wipedthem on his naked sides where his one piece of ragged bearskin failed to coverhim. Crouched around him, on their hams, were three young men, hisgrandsons, Deer-Runner, Yellow-Head, and Afraid-of-the-Dark. In appearancethey were much the same. Skins of wild animals partly covered them. Theywere lean and meagre of build, narrow-hipped and crooked-legged, and at thesame time deep-chested, with heavy arms and enormous hands. There was muchhair on their chests and shoulders, and on the outsides of their arms and legs. Their heads were matted with uncut hair, long locks of which often strayedbefore their eyes, beady and black and glittering like the eyes of birds. Theywere narrow between the eyes and broad between the cheeks, while their lowerjaws were projecting and massive.