I do not think the tallest of them was much, if any, over five feet.

Donovan, who was about six feet, looked like a giant beside them.

They stood huddled together, looking just a little wistful at being cut off from their fellows, and casting fearful glances at Guard, who stood barking excitedly at them from the companion-way.
Though used to dogs, they had very likely never seen a jet-black Newfoundland before.

Possibly they mistook him for some different animal.
"What are we thinking of," exclaimed Raed, "with our guns and bayonets! Why, these little chaps look the very embodiment of good nature! Here they trust themselves among us without so much as a stick in their hands; while we've got out all our deadly weapons! Let's let the rest of them come up if they want to." Kit and Wade stood back, and beckoned to the others: whereat they all came climbing up, save one, who stayed, apparently, to look out for the empty _kayaks_, which were floating about.

They brought rather strong odors of smoke and greasy manginess; but more good-natured faces I never saw.
"My eye! but aren't they flabby fat!" exclaimed Hobbs.
"That comes of drinking seal and whale oil," said Bonney.
"Guess they don't sport combs much," said Donovan.