PANIC AMONG THE DONGOLESE. 285 and flocked out of the town. The only check put on their flight was that they should keep to- the west side of the river, and not interfere with the retirement of our troops. At first it was laughable to see these poor panic-stricken people making their way downstream, they were in such a hurry to get away ; but very soon it became rather a nuisance than otherwise.

The town and villages near became entirely deserted, and the bazaar from having been a lively scene of crowding natives and colours got to look simply wretched. Day by day the stalls emptied, and at last not a soul was left in it. Nothing but old wrappers and dirty pieces of paper littered the ground, and, bar the regulation curs prowling around, not a living soul was to be seen it was quite depressing. There was not the smallest need for such haste, for the 42nd had not yet left Merawi, and even if the whole of the English had been already withdrawn below Debbeh, there was no enemy to speak of this side of Berber ; however, the niggers seemed to think so, and went accordingly. Where these poor people all went to, I don't know. The richer ones and merchants I