Years of slavish obedience to authority had left their traces, and as if moved by one impulse, they sprang to where Eaton was lying and lifted him to the couch. The moment this was done though, Hallam gave an impatient stamp of the foot and gazed at Crellock, who ground out something between his teeth. "Now fetch water--a sponge," said Otway, sheathing his sword, throwing off his cap, and turning up his sleeves. "This is my house--" Hallam said no more. He had begun in a fierce, loud voice, and then he stopped as Captain Otway turned upon him with an imperious-- "What's that you say?" Then he seemed to recall where he was, for he glanced at Julia and Bayle. "Look here," he said quietly, and he took a step or two towards Hallam to whisper something in his ear. Hallam made no reply, but left the room, and did not return, Thisbe hurrying in directly after with basin and towels, and helping eagerly. "Oh, come, come, my dear Miss Hallam," said Otway, after cleverly bandaging the wound. "You must not take on like that. I can't do anything to the shoulder--at least, I will not. Our doctor will soon put him right. There, see! he is coming to." "I have been trying very hard," said Julia with a gasp; "but it is so dreadful." "No, no, no! Why, my wife would have seen it all without shedding a tear. It's only dreadful when some one is killed, and, thank heaven! I don't think one of the men has met that fate." "I wish I could feel the same about the convicts," said Bayle softly. "The convicts? Well, I wish so, too, Mr Bayle; but law and order must be maintained, and they know their lives are forfeit if they attempt to escape." Bayle nodded in acquiescence as he glanced at where Julia knelt beside Eaton, crying softly, and fanning his face. "There, you have nothing to fear, Miss Hallam," continued the Captain kindly. "Eaton has only had a few hard knocks--soldier's salary, I call them. As to the rising, the poor wretches are, I expect, all taken by this time. Yes, here they come." He had walked to the window and gazed out to see the greater part of the convict gang, hot, bleeding some of them, and dejected, coming along, guarded by the soldiers under the command of a boyish-looking ensign. "Ah, Mr O'Hara," he said, stepping out, and laying his hand on the young Irishman's shoulder, "I think we may thank you for getting up in time. Your message set us off, and we met you just in the nick. Why, man, you are hurt." "Not much, sir. They shot at me, and the bullet grazed my arm." "Come in," he said, "and let me see." O'Hara followed unwillingly, but had to submit to have his wound dressed. "Where is your master?" said the Captain at last, turning to Thisbe. "In his room, sir." "Fetch him." Hallam uttered a furious oath when the message was given, and swore he would not come. Then, rising from his chair, he followed Thisbe to the dining-room like one compelled to obey.