midday
The `` train '' was composed of a number of low wagons pushed and dragged up the steep inclines by convicts , who drew themselves up in the wagons when the trucks dashed down the slope , and acted as drags . Sylvia felt degraded at being thus drawn by human beings , and trembled when the lash cracked , and the convicts answered to the sting -- like cattle . Moreover , there was among the foremost of these beasts of burden a face that had dimly haunted her girlhood , and only lately vanished from her dreams . This face looked on her -- she thought -- with bitterest loathing and scorn , and she felt relieved when at the midday halt its owner was ordered to fall out from the rest , and was with four others re-chained for the homeward journey . Frere , struck with the appearance of the five , said , `` By Jove , Poppet , there are our old friends Rex and Dawes , and the others . They wo n't let 'em come all the way , because they are such a desperate lot , they might make a rush for it . '' Sylvia comprehended now the face was the face of Dawes ; and as she looked after him , she saw him suddenly raise his hands above his head with a motion that terrified her .