to rise, and then it rolls along the streets taking liberties with the eyes of all comers, without regard to race or nationality; while at other times it rises gracefully over the city and hangs like a pall of gloom over a deserted cemetery. When it is remembered that much of the fuel is only pine brush, it can be readily understood how disagreeable this smoke may become as it pours from the throats of many thousands of black flues.
The policeman is much in evidence everywhere in the city. He wears a foreign uniform and carries a long sword at his side; but he has little to do except to draw his salary, which it does not take him long to spend. The citizens of this old capital are as a rule quiet and orderly, and do not seem to need so many policemen. It is nevertheless true that sometimes a fellow gets too much drink, which is followed by a fondness for quarreling with his neighbor, who is probably in the same condition. At such times and under these circumstances even a little topknot-pulling may be indulged in, but this makes little difference to anybody except the parties actually engaged. The policeman is not needed on such occasions. The parties most interested, if let alone, will settle it all in due time; and if not let alone they will settle it anyway, even if it takes till the break of dawn to do it. When matters have all been adjusted and the terms of peace agreed upon, they will quietly sit down for a smoke, all the while looking at each other and having little to say, now that each has had a turn at the other's topknot.
