Peasants from the farming settlements were there with articles for sale, and a vigorous chaffering was in progress.

There were soldiers in grey coats, sailors from the ships in the harbor, laborers in clothing more or less shabby, and a fair sprinkling of aboriginals.

To an American freshly arrived the natives were quite a study.

They were of the Mongol type, their complexions dark, hair black, eyes obliquely set, noses flat, and cheek bones high.

Most of them had the hair plaited in a queue after the Chinese fashion.