Frostburg mining journal., 1883-09-29

took their humble position on its left,
with docility that long practice
had rendered easy. The scouts de-
parted; strong guards preceded and
followed the numbering vehicles that
bore the baggage; and before the
gray light of the morning was mel
lowed by the rays of the sun, the main
body of the combatants wheeled into
column, and left the encampment
with show of high military bearing,
that served to drown the slumbering
apprehensions of many novice, who
was now about to make his first essay
in arms. While in view of their ad-
miring comrades, the same proud
front and ordered array was observed,
until the notes of their flies growing
fainter in distance, the forest at
length appeared to swallow up the
living mass which had slowly entered
its bosom.
The deepest sounds of the retiring
and invisible column had ceased to
be borne on the breeze to the listen
ers, and the latest straggler had al
ready disappeared in pursuit; but
there still remained the signs of ano-
ther departure, before log cabin Of
unusual size and accommodations,
in front of which those sentinels
paced their rounds, who were known
to guard the person of the English
general. At this spot were gathered
some half dozen horses, caparisoned
in manner which showed that two,
at least, were destined to bear the
persons of females of a rank that it
was not usual to meet so far in the
wilds of the country. A third wore
the trappings and arms OF an officer
of the staff; while the rest, from the
plainness of the housing and the tray
elling mails with which they were
encountered were evidently fitted for
the reception of as many menials who
were, seemingly, already awaiting the
pleasure of those they served. Alta
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 preparat:: ::ons with the dull won-
der of vulgar curiosity, There was
one man, however, who, by his
countenance and actions, formed q
marked exception to those who COM
posed the latter class Of spectators,
being neitheridle, nor seemingly very
ignorant.
The person of this individual was
to the last degree unganly without
being in any particular manner de-
formed. He had all the bones and
joints of other men, without any Of
their proportions. Ered, his stature
surpassed that of his felbws; though
seated, he appeared reduced within
the ordinary limits of th race. The
same contrariety in his members
seemed to exist Throughout the whole
man. His head was larg, his should
ers narrow, his arms log and dang
ling, while his hands wre small, if
not delicate. His legs md thighs
were thinsnearly to emaciation, DG-
of extraordinary length; and his
knees would have been considered
tremendous, had they not been out
done by the broader foundations on
which this false superstructure Of
blended human orders was 80 pro-
fanely reared. The ill-assorted and
injudicious attire of the individual,
only served to render his awkward
ness more conspicuous. A sky-blue
coat, with short and broad skirts, and
low cape, exposed long, thin neck,
and longer and thinner legs, to the
worst animadversions of the evil dis
posed. His neither garment was Of
yellow nankeen, closely fitted to his
form, and tied at his punches ofknees
by large knots of white ribborka
good deal sullied by use. Cl 9eo
cotton stocking, and shoes, on one Of
the latter of which was plated spur,
completed the costume of the lower
extremity of this figure, no curve
or angle of which was concealed, but,
on the other hand, studiously exhib-
tied through the vanity or simplicity
of its owner. From beneath the flap
of an enormous pocket of a soiled vest
of embossed silk, heavily ornamented
with tarnished silver lace projected
an instrument, which from being seen