He was astonished at the change which had been wrought at Balaklava.

A perfect town of wooden huts had sprung up.

The principal portion of these was devoted to the general hospital, the others were crammed with stores.

The greater part of the old Tartar village had been completely cleared away, the streets and roads were levelled, and in good order.
Such troops as were about had received new uniforms, and looked clean and tidy.

Everywhere gangs of laborers were at work, and the whole place wore a bright and cheerful aspect.