large, yet not disproportionately so; his head well made, though a
phrenologist might object to a strong animal preponderance in the rear;
his mouth bold and finely curved, is rigid however in its compression,
and the lips, at times almost woven together, are largely indicative of
ferocity; they are pale in color, and dingily so, yet his flushed cheek
and brow bear striking evidence of a something too frequent revel; his
hair, thin and scattered, is of a dark brown complexion and sprinkled
with gray; his neck is so very short that a single black handkerchief,
wrapped loosely about it, removes all seeming distinction between itself
and the adjoining shoulders--the latter being round and uprising,
forming a socket, into which the former appears to fall as into a
designated place. As if more effectually to complete the unfavorable
impression of such an outline, an ugly scar, partly across the cheek,
and slightly impairing the integrity of the left nostril, gives to his
whole look a sinister expression, calculated to defeat entirely any
neutralizing or less objectionable feature. His form--to conclude the
picture--is constructed with singular power; and though not symmetrical,
is far from ungainly. When impelled by some stirring motive, his
carriage is easy, without seeming effort, and his huge frame throws
aside the sluggishness which at other times invests it, putting on a
habit of animated exercise, which changes the entire appearance of the
man.

Such was Walter, or, as he was there more familiarly termed Wat Munro.
He took his seat with the company, with the ease of one who neither
doubted nor deliberated upon the footing which he claimed among them. He
was not merely the publican of his profession, but better fitted indeed
for perhaps any other avocation, as may possibly be discovered in the
progress of our narrative. To his wife, a good quiet sort of body, who,
as Forrester phrased it, did not dare to say the soul was her own, he