Bayle said no more then, but walked with them through the roughly marked out streets of the straggling port, towards the convict lines. "I shall see you to the gates," he said, "secure your admission, and then await your return." Mrs Hallam pressed his hand, and then as he glanced at Julia, he saw that she was trembling and deadly pale. The next minute, however, she had mastered her emotion, and they walked quickly on, Mrs Hallam with her head erect, and proud of mien, as she seemed in every movement to be wishing to impress upon her child that they should rather glory in their visit than feel shame. There was something almost triumphant in the look she directed at Bayle, a look which changed to angry reproach, as she saw his wrinkled brow and the trouble in his face. Half-way to the prison gates there was a measured tramp of feet, and a quick, short order was given in familiar tones. The next moment the head of a company of men came into sight; and Bayle recognised the faces. In the rear were Captain Otway and Lieutenant Eaton, both of whom saluted, Mrs Hallam acknowledging each bow with the dignity of a queen. Bayle tried hard, but he could not help glancing at Julia, to see that she was deadly pale, but looking as erect and proud as her mother. Captain Otway's company were on their way to their barracks. They had just passed the prison gates; and it was next to impossible for Mrs Hallam and her daughter to be going anywhere but to the large building devoted to the convicts. Bayle knew that the two officers must feel this as they saluted; and, in spite of himself, he could not forbear feeling a kind of gratification. For it seemed to him that henceforth a gulf would be placed between them, and the pleasant friendship of the voyage be at an end. Mrs Hallam knew it, but she did not shrink, and her heart bounded as she saw the calm demeanour of her child. The measured tramp of the soldiers' feet was still heard, when a fresh party of men came into sight; and as he partly realised what was before him, Bayle stretched out his hand to arrest his companions. "Come back," he said quickly; "we will go on after these men have passed." "No," said Mrs Hallam firmly, "we will go on now, Christie Bayle, do you fancy that we would shrink from anything at a time like this?" "But for her sake," whispered Bayle. "She is my child, and we know our duty," retorted Mrs Hallam proudly. But her face was paler, and she darted a quick glance at Julia, whose eyes dilated, and whose grasp of her mother's arm was closer, as from out of the advancing group came every now and then a shriek of pain, with sharp cries, yells, and a fierce volley of savage curses.