Four o'clock
At the next corner the leader of the battalion unobtrusively saluted a man in uniform who stepped suddenly out of a doorway . A few Japanese words were exchanged in a low tone . `` This is an unexpected ally , '' said the Japanese colonel , holding out his hand in the dense fog . Four o'clock struck from the tower of the Union Ferry Depot , and out from the sea , from the Golden Gate , came the bellowing voice of a steamer 's whistle . The two officers looked at each other and smiled , and the troops continued their march . `` Halloo ! '' shouted a roundsman to a policeman who had been leaning against a lamp-post half asleep .