"Quick! help! help!" she cried in a sharp imperious manner; and, as is so often the case where one quick order is given, those who would not, if they had time to think, stir a finger in a cause, feel themselves moved by some irresistible influence, and obey. So Crellock seized Eaton, and helped bear him into the dining-room, Hallam banging to the window and fastening it as Eaton was thrown upon the couch. "You are mad!" cried Hallam passionately. "They'll wreck the place now." "They won't hurt us," said Crellock coolly; and to Julia's horror he threw open the window as the convicts came up at the double and rushed into the room. "Steady, mates, steady!" shouted Hallam. "You know us." The leading men hesitated a moment, and then one of them made a dash at Eaton. "Now, boys, have him out," he cried. Julia shrieked, and threw herself before the helpless man, when the convict rudely caught her by the arms to swing her aside, but was sent staggering sideways from a blow dealt by Bayle. "Save him, Mr Bayle," shrieked Julia, as she clung to Eaton. "Father! oh, father, help!" Neither Hallam nor Crellock stirred as the man whom Bayle had struck uttered an oath which was echoed by his companions, who seized Bayle and held him as others of the party dragged out Eaton, fortunately insensible to all that was going on. In their insensate fury believing that they had a long list of injuries to repay the convict guard, who in guarding them had only done their duty, in another minute Eaton's life would have been sacrificed, when there was the tramp of feet, an order given in a loud voice, and a party of soldiers led by Captain Otway dashed up with bayonets fixed. And then two wounded convicts were lying on the floor, the others were in full flight down the gully, pursued by the troops, a shot every now and then breaking the silence that had fallen upon the group. Hallam was the first to speak, and he turned angrily upon Bayle. "Were you mad to bring him here?" he snarled. "Father!" cried Julia with a reproachful look, as she knelt down beside Eaton to hold her handkerchief to his wounded head. Bayle made no reply to the question, but said sternly: "Mr Hallam, you had better send for medical aid. My dear Julia, you must go." "No," she cried with a quick, imperious look; "send for help." Bayle's brow contracted, but he concealed the pain he suffered as he saw Julia bending over Eaton, and was hurrying out, but was met by Captain Otway, who came in breathless, followed by O'Hara, and a couple of his men. "Is he much hurt?" he cried anxiously. "Carry out these two, my lads." He bent down over Eaton as Julia sobbed out, "He is killed! he is killed!" "Oh, no: not so bad as that; only stunned. Here, you two," he continued sharply, turning to Hallam and Crellock, "don't stand there staring. Lift this gentleman on to the sofa."