The whole force was to advance, and five thousand carriers were required to effect the movement.
There was general joy when it was known that Bekwai was to be evacuated.

It was a dull, dirty place, surrounded by dense, dark forests, and was in a terribly insanitary state.

Europeans were rapidly losing their strength, and an epidemic of smallpox was raging among the natives, of whom a dozen or more died daily.
On the 28th of August Colonel Burroughs left Bekwai, with seven hundred and fifty men, and three thousand carriers taking ammunition and baggage.

The column was fully two miles long.

They had an extremely heavy march, and did not arrive at their destination till night.