Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/395

Rh immensely pleased and equally amused over the posing. He shook all over with laughter when I said he was a very fine-looking man, and, stretching out one finger, touched his waistcoat button and added, "And so much of you! " This he considered a compliment.

But soon my brain was in a whirl with the unending sea of faces, the heat, and closeness, and I wanted to see no more. Men sitting in their shops called out " Pekin! Pekin! " and made the action of cutting off their heads. I always responded, " Pekin you!—cut your head off," which again they thought quite funny.

At last we arrived at the walls of the city, where were here and there a few friendly soldiers in their quaint garb. We went along the walk on top of the wall, which is decorated here and there with obsolete old cannon. Looking beyond the walls was a sea of graves, and here and there a mound surmounted by a more imposing tomb. At last we came to the foot of the seven-storied pagoda which crowns a high point of the wall, and here I went on strike and refused to leave the chair, expressing myself indifferent to the view said to be obtained from the top of the pagoda. When Ah Cum John and my coolies entreated, I proposed the latter should go up and see the view for me—a proposition that simply convulsed them with mirth. They offered to carry me up to the first storey, but at last I gave way and consented to carry myself so far. Arrived there, amidst shouts of laughter they began to cajole and urge me on to the next floor, and in this manner they badgered me, more to please them than myself, to do the seven storeys. Arrived on top, Ah Cum John, who was in high spirits, conducted me to the balcony, and lo and behold! there was a neatly-set-out luncheon-table, tablecloth, napkins,