# XX explained — Robbery Under Arms

> Chapter companion for Robbery Under Arms by Rolf Boldrewood.

## What happens

After escaping from Berrima Gaol, Dick Marston, Jim Marston, and Captain Starlight ride through the night to evade capture. They stop at a roadside hut to retrieve a horse, then gallop across rough terrain, navigating by the stars. Starlight promises his horse Rainbow to Maddie Barnes and a watch and chain to Bella Barnes. The group plans to hide at the Hollow, with Jim's father providing fresh horses and intelligence on police movements.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Bush and Outlaw Life

The night ride through the bush, navigating by stars and evading police, epitomizes the freedom and danger of the outlaw existence.

### Fate and Free Will

Dick's joy in the ride contrasts with the looming threat of recapture, reflecting the tension between chosen freedom and inevitable fate.

## Character check-ins

### Jim Marston

Leads the escape, retrieves a horse from a hut, and navigates by the stars to avoid police.

### Captain Starlight

Charms the Barnes girls with promises of gifts, including Rainbow to Maddie and a watch to Bella; rides with the group.

### Dick Marston

Narrates the escape, feeling joy and freedom after prison, riding his own horse through the night.

### Bella Barnes

Eldest Barnes girl, flirts with Starlight and is promised a watch and chain.

### Maddie Barnes

Youngest Barnes girl, expresses desire for Rainbow and is promised the horse in Starlight's will.

### Dad Marston

Mentioned as providing fresh horses and intelligence to aid the escape.

## Key lines

> What a different feel from prison air the fresh night breeze had as we swept along a lonely outside track!

The fresh night breeze felt completely different from the prison air as we rode along a remote track.

_Dick contrasts the oppressive prison atmosphere with the liberating outdoor ride._

> I felt like a king, and as for what might come afterwards I had no more thought than a schoolboy has of his next year’s lessons at the beginning of his holidays.

I felt like a king, with no more concern for the future than a schoolboy at the start of his holidays.

_Dick expresses the overwhelming joy and carefree attitude of his newfound freedom._

## Links

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