Robbery Under Arms · Chapter
XXXV explained
The gang, restless and idle in the Hollow, plans a gold escort robbery at Eugowra Rocks.
What happens
The gang, restless and idle in the Hollow, plans a gold escort robbery at Eugowra Rocks. Starlight is elected captain over Moran, and the men finalize the details of the heist. Jim Marston is deeply melancholic, missing his wife Jeanie, while Starlight reflects on his past and his fate.
Themes in this chapter
The Bush and Outlaw Life
The gang's restless idleness in the Hollow and the planning of the gold escort robbery highlight the precarious, lawless existence of bushrangers.
Fate and Free Will
Starlight reflects on his past choices and feels driven down the wrong road, while Dick muses on how men are forced away from what they know is best.
Love and Sacrifice
Jim's deep melancholy and attachment to Jeanie, shown by his reaction to her letter, underscores the personal cost of his outlaw life.
Characters to notice
- Jim Marston
Deeply changed, melancholy, and withdrawn; only brightens when receiving a letter from Jeanie.
- Captain Starlight
Restless and cranky; reflects on his past and the vanity of leadership; elected captain of the gang for the gold escort robbery.
- Warrigal
Watches with hawk-like eyes; shows fierce loyalty to Starlight, following him like a collie dog.
- Dad Marston
Growls out words; knows about the other man involved in the plan and grins; organizes the drawing of lots for captain.
- Dick Marston
Narrator; observes the changes in Jim and Starlight; reflects on luck and fate.
- Dan Moran
Savage and sulky after losing the election for captain; wanted by some for the role.
Key passages
“I never seen any man changed more from what he used to be than Jim did. He that was the most careless, happy-go-lucky chap that ever stepped, always in a good temper and full of his larks.”
Jim had transformed from a carefree, cheerful man into a brooding, silent figure.
Dick observes Jim's drastic change in demeanor.
“By all the devils, Dick, I can't stand this sort of thing much longer. We shall go mad or drink ourselves to death if we stick here till we're trapped or smoked out like a 'guana out of a tree spout.”
Starlight expresses his desperation and fear of being trapped in the Hollow.
Starlight's restlessness and desire for action.
“I took the wrong road then. I swear to you, Dick, I never had thought of evil till that cursed day which made me reckless and indifferent to everything. And this is the end—a wasted life, a felon's doom!”
Starlight blames his father's refusal to let him join the army for his descent into crime.
Starlight's reflection on his past and his fate.
“When I take command of this gang, for this bit of work or any other, my word's law—do you hear? And if any man disputes it or disobeys my orders, by ⸻, I'll shoot him like a dog.”
Starlight asserts absolute authority over the gang, threatening death for disobedience.
Starlight's stern leadership after being elected captain.