The sloop had apparently discharged her convict freight; and the young man stood and looked at her for a while in deep thought. He was thinking he should like to command a vessel like that. "But then," he sighed to himself, "how about Katie?" And he walked on, musing in no unhappy way. "Now, boys--heel and toe!" shouted a rough voice. "Hooroar! heel and toe!" was sounded in chorus; and from a turn in the cliff came slowly into sight about five-and-twenty of as ill-looking ruffians as ever walked the face of the earth. They were marching slowly, in a single line, and at the veriest snail's pace. There was every description of crime-marked aspect--sullen despair, with boisterous and singing men; but as the slow march continued, one struck up a kind of chant, in which all joined, greatly to the annoyance of a sergeant of foot, who, with four privates, with fixed bayonets, formed the escort. "It's all right, sojer!" shouted one. "Heel and toe!" "Hullo, sailor!" shouted another. "Here, mates; here's a chap out of that barque. How's mother country, old 'un?" "Come; get on, men," said the sergeant, keeping a sharp look-out for evaders. The mate did not answer the fellow, but coolly stopped to watch the strange procession pass; for he rightly judged it to be a gang of convicts returning from work. "I'd give two days and a half for that half cigar you're smoking, guv'ner," said one of the convicts to the young sailor. And then, as the gang moved on, a dark sun-browned fellow came abreast, and observed quietly, as one gentleman might to another: "Have you another cigar about you, sir?" Edward Murray started, and then turned on his heel, and walked beside the speaker. "I really have not another," he said hastily; "but here's some tobacco;" and he thrust a large packet he had but an hour before bought into the man's hand. "Thanks--thanks!" said the convict. "You can't think what a treat it will be. I may be able to do you a good turn for it some day, Ned Murray." The young man started, and would have spoken to the convict; but the sergeant laid his hand upon his arm. "Won't do, sir; I should get into trouble. We wink at a good deal; but we must draw the line somewhere. Now, men, forward!" Edward Murray drew back, and nodded his acquiescence in the sergeant's remarks as the gang slowly passed on along the beach; then trying in vain to call to mind who could be the speaker who so well knew his name, he turned to go on board. "I'll give it up," said the young man at last; "it's beyond me. I've a friend more, though, in the world than I thought for. Friend? Hum! Not much cause to be proud of him. Well, it's better than for a black-looking rascal to say he'll owe you a grudge. Well," he continued, as he mounted the side, "I'll give it up; but I shall most likely know some day." And like many another unconscious thinker, Edward Murray was, for the time being, amongst the prophets.