This Man's Wife Part 101

"Those poor fellows!" moaned Eaton, piteously, as Bayle toiled on with him, seeing now that Hallam and Crellock were outside the verandah, looking curiously towards him, but not taking a step to his aid.

"I can't ask their help if they do not offer it," muttered Bayle, as he staggered on, growing weaker with his exertion, and finally stopping for a moment or two so as to get his breath.

Then came the confused murmur of voices, when, looking back, he saw that he was pursued; and as he pressed forward again the horrible thought flashed through his brain that he was leading the savage band of utterly reckless men right to the house where two tender women might even then be trembling witnesses of what was going on. The agony he suffered at this thought was so great that he stopped short, his brain swimming; and, in spite of the fact that the convicts were close behind, he would have staggered off to the left, had not a white figure suddenly appeared on the side farthest from where Hallam and Crellock had backed close to the window, and ran swiftly to meet him.

It was like some episode in a dream to Bayle, as that white figure flew to his side.

"Quick, Mr Bayle, quick!" and, catching at Eaton in the belief that she was helping to bear him, Julia pressed towards the house.

"Julie! are you mad?" roared Hallam, as soon as she was seen; and Crellock started out after her.

"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 pa.s.sionately. "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."

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.

"I am going to leave my brother officer in your charge, Mr Hallam,"