11.   Barricades of burning tires or military roadblocks cut off roads in the city, and its market was deserted.

12.   But the market was still deserted on Saturday.

13.   The threat of such action has caused investors to desert the market, Smith said.

14.   There were no casualties this time, as the blaze started several hours before dawn when the market was deserted.

15.   Many operators deserted the market very early, ahead of the long Christmas weekend.

16.   Nearby, the old market is almost deserted.

17.   Speculators, who had deserted the market on uncertainties surrounding the first multi-racial general election in South Africa, appeared to regain confidence and invest in the metal.

18.   Such buyers had deserted the market because of unnaturally high price levels.

19.   The central market was almost deserted and when shops and banks opened in the early afternmoon they did little business.

20.   The market was almost deserted ahead of the holidays.