We saw them coming down, staring and gesticulating.

We drew on nearer to them till we were able to see them better.

A nearer view did not improve them.
They were human beings, certainly, but of such an appalling aspect that they could only be likened to animated mummies.

They were small, thin, shrivelled, black, with long matted hair and hideous faces.

They all had long spears, and wore about the waist short skirts that seemed to be made of the skin of some sea-fowl.
We could not imagine how these creatures lived, or where.