There was the weight of all his centuries on the Sather, yet a curious toughness showed through his weariness.
The Sather was tough even through his reluctance.
Prosperity was based entirely on the entrepot  handling textiles from India, spices from Indonesia, silk and porcelain from China, gold and pepper from Sumatra, camphor from Borneo, sandalwood from Timor, and Malay tin from Perak.