As the man and the bear came nearer, they saw it was neither of these.

The man's voice was not unpleasant; it had a rolling, crooning sort of sound, a little weird, as though he had lived where men see few of their kind and have much to do with animals.
He was bearded, but young; his hair grew low on his forehead, and, although it was summer time, a fur cap was set far back, like a fez, upon his black curly hair.

His forehead was corrugated, like that of a man of sixty who had lived a hard life; his eyes were small, black and piercing.

He wore a thick, short coat, a red sash about his waist, a blue flannel shirt, and a loose red scarf, like a handkerchief, at his throat.

His feet were bare, and his trousers were rolled half way up to his knee.