ar as could be
seen, the whole town was evacuated.

As evening wore on, fresh fires broke out in all parts of the town, and
a steam pinnace was sent ashore to ascertain, if possible, the state of
affairs. Mr. Ross, a contractor for the supply of meat to the fleet,
volunteered to accompany it.

The harbour was dark and deserted. Not a light was to be seen in the
houses near the water. The crackling of the flames could be heard, with
an occasional crash of falling walls and roofs. On nearing the landing
place the pinnace paused, for two or three minutes, for those on board
to listen; and as all was quiet, steamed alongside. Mr. Ross jumped
ashore, and the boat backed off a few yards.

A quarter of an hour later, he returned. That quarter of the town was
entirely deserted, and he had pushed on until arrested by a barrier of
flames. The great square was on fire, from end to end; the European
quarter generally was in flames; and he could see, by the litter that
strewed the streets, that the houses had been plundered before being
fired.

When daylight broke, a number of Europeans could be seen, at the edge
of the water, in the harbour. Boats were at once lowered; and the
crews, armed to the teeth, rowed ashore. Here they found about a
hundred Europeans, many of them wounded. When rioting had broken out
they had, as arranged, assembled at the Anglo-Egyptian Bank. They were
taken off to the merchant steamers, lying behind the fleet, and their
information confirmed the worst forebodings of the fugitives there.

When the first gun of the bombardment was fired, Gregory had gone up,
with the other employees, to the top of the house; where they commanded
a view over the whole scene of action. After the first few minutes'
firing they could see but little, for batteries and ships were, alike,
shrouded in smoke. At first, there had been some feeling of insecurity,
and a doubt whether a shot too highly aimed might not come into the
town; but the orders to abstain carefully from injuring the city had
been well observed, and, except to the Palace and a few houses close to
the water's edge, no damage was done.

Towards evening, all those who had resolved to remain behind gathered
at the Anglo-Egyptian Bank, or at Mr. Ferguson's. But a consultation
was held later, and it was agreed that next morning all should go to
the bank, which was a far more massive building, with fewer entrances,
and greater facilities for defence. When the tow