# XXIX explained — Robbery Under Arms

> Chapter companion for Robbery Under Arms by Rolf Boldrewood.

## What happens

Jim and Dick Marston encounter Kate Morrison at the Turon goldfields, putting their safety at risk. Despite the danger, they continue working and saving money, planning to escape to America with Starlight. Jim looks forward to Jeanie's arrival for their marriage, while Dick dreams of a new life with Gracey. The chapter depicts the bustling, multicultural goldfields society and the precarious balance between their criminal past and present prosperity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Colonial Australia and the Gold Rush

The chapter vividly portrays the multicultural, bustling goldfields society and the opportunities it offered for reinvention and escape.

### Fate and Free Will

Dick and Jim's fate hangs on Kate Morrison's whims; they try to control their destiny through hard work and plans to flee, but remain at the mercy of her unpredictable temper.

### Love and Sacrifice

Jim's love for Jeanie and Dick's hope for Gracey motivate their desire to escape and start anew, representing a sacrifice of their old outlaw life for a chance at happiness.

## Character check-ins

### Jim Marston

Works on the goldfields, plans to marry Jeanie, and hopes to escape with Starlight.

### Dick Marston

Narrator; works alongside Jim, fears Kate Morrison's revenge, and dreams of a new life with Gracey.

### Captain Starlight

Meets secretly with the Marstons; dines at the Commissioner's and narrowly avoids recognition by Sergeant Goring.

### Kate Mullockson

Now running the Prospectors' Arms hotel; unpredictable and dangerous, she could expose the Marstons.

### Jeanie Morrison

Expected to arrive soon to marry Jim; currently staying with her aunt in Melbourne.

### Sergeant Goring

Now an inspector; nearly recognizes Starlight at the Commissioner's dinner.

## Key lines

> Why, we were all dining at the Commissioner’s yesterday,” he said, “when who should walk in but our old friend Goring. He’s been made inspector now; and, of course, he’s a great swell and a general favourite.

Starlight recounts a tense dinner where Sergeant Goring, now an inspector, nearly recognized him.

_Highlights the constant risk of discovery despite their changed appearances._

> I once tried to count the different breeds and languages of the men in the big room one night. I stopped at thirty.

Dick marvels at the incredible diversity of nationalities and backgrounds among the diggers at the hotel.

_Illustrates the multicultural melting pot of the goldfields._

> We worked hard enough, too, as I said before; but we had good call to do so. Every week when we washed up we found ourselves a lot forrarder, and could see that if it held on like this for a few months more we should have made our 'pile,' as the diggers called it, and be able to get clear off without much bother.

Dick and Jim work diligently, saving their earnings with the goal of accumulating enough wealth to escape unnoticed.

_Shows their disciplined effort to secure a new life._

## Links

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