# XIII explained — Robbery Under Arms

> Chapter companion for Robbery Under Arms by Rolf Boldrewood.

## What happens

Dick and Jim Marston, hiding in Melbourne after the great cattle robbery, enjoy a brief respite but are forced to flee when news of warrants for their arrest appears in the papers. They leave behind their lovers, Kate Morrison and Jeanie Morrison, promising to return. The chapter explores Dick's reflections on Kate's dangerous ambition and Jim's simple affection for Jeanie, as the brothers head toward Sale and Omeo to find work and evade capture.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Punishment

The constant threat of arrest and the psychological burden of living as wanted criminals dominate the chapter.

### Love and Sacrifice

Dick and Jim's relationships with Kate and Jeanie are tested by the necessity of flight, highlighting the tension between love and survival.

### Fate and Free Will

The brothers are forced to abandon their dreams of settling down, illustrating how their criminal past dictates their future.

## Character check-ins

### Dick Marston

Narrator; reflects on his relationship with Kate Morrison and the danger of their situation.

### Jim Marston

Dick's brother; engaged to Jeanie Morrison, deeply affected by the forced departure.

### Kate Morrison

Dick's lover; ambitious, sharp, and hungry for wealth, she cross-examines Dick about their sudden departure.

### Jeanie Morrison

Jim's sweetheart; gentle and heartbroken at the separation.

### Captain Starlight

Mentioned as a known suspect; warrants are out for him as well.

### Warrigal

Mentioned as the half-caste who might not have been noticed during the cattle robbery.

## Key lines

> We had to let Kate and Jeanie know the best way we could that our business required us to leave Melbourne at once, and that we shouldn’t be back till after Christmas, if then.

They had to inform Kate and Jeanie that they needed to leave Melbourne immediately and might not return until after Christmas.

_Shows the difficulty of explaining their sudden departure without revealing the truth._

> Kate Morrison could see that I had money. She thought I was rich, and she made up her mind to attract me, and go shares in my property, whatever it might be.

Kate Morrison noticed Dick had money and decided to win him over to share in his wealth.

_Reveals Dick's cynical view of Kate's motives and her ambitious nature._

> We couldn’t wash the tan off our skins; faces, necks, arms, all showed pretty well that we’d come from where the sun was hot, and that we’d had our share of it.

Their sunburned skin and bushman appearance made them easily identifiable as men from the outback.

_Highlights the physical markers that made them vulnerable to recognition._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/robbery_under_arms_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters