Outlaws of the Australian Bush

Chapter 1

Dan Drummond should never have become a bushranger in the first place. He had every opportunity any young man should want to begin a career in the city. His father had been affluent enough to provide the bond required for securing a place for his son in any of the major Banks, and this is how he began his working life in 1872, as a clerk in the Bank of New South Wales. But Dan's nature was such that placing him in a Bank was the equivalent of putting a young kid with a sweet tooth alone in a candy store. The sight of so much cash being handled by the tellers was too much of a temptation for the youngster. He managed to show admirable restraint by waiting until he was eighteen years old, and that was the only thing remotely admirable in his behaviour.

His father owned a large plot of land on the outskirts of the city, and kept a stable of racehorses. Dan spent all of his spare time with the horses. In his early years he wanted to be a jockey, but he grew too big for that career; his eventual fully grown height was six feet. His effort to remain slim and small led him to a regime of excessive exercising; with the result he was always super-fit. He became a superb horseman. This was to be an asset in his future career as an adventurer living outside the law.

He was seventeen years old when he was transferred away from the city branch to a town out in the bush. Archerton supported three Banks; the QN, the Commercial and his, the Wales. The QN was the largest, employing a dozen staff. The staff of his Branch numbered four. The task of writing up customers' accounts in the huge ledgers was driving him to distraction, and the errors he made in recording the customers' transactions brought the wrath of the Manager down on his head. He always seemed to be in trouble. This was not the life for him!

The only thing keeping him on the straight and narrow was his relationship with the daughter of one of the Bank's wealthy grazier customers. She was working at the draper's shop a couple of doors down the main street, and they usually spent their lunch hours together. He was living in a room at the back of the Bank, and she was boarding with a local family in town. As the manager lived in the Bank residence and the other two co-workers boarded with families in town, it gave them the opportunity to misbehave in his room at the rear of the Bank premises.

It was shortly after his eighteenth birthday when he decided it was time for him to begin his career as a criminal. In doing so it would cost his father the price of his bond. This unfortunate consequence would not upset him unduly. For several years now he had been at odds with his father, and they had ceased to communicate with each other. The rift was caused when his father more or less forced him to take a position as a clerk in the Bank, while he was interested in working around horses. His father was determined that his son would have a position of some standing in the community, and a Bank Manager was what he expected his son to achieve eventually.

A second unfortunate consequence would be he could no longer spend time with Coleen. The incident which tipped him over the edge, so to speak, was that he and Coleen had had the mother of all lovers' tiffs. It was over such a minor thing, and later each one would wonder what it was which caused the disagreement, but it escalated into a major row. Their temperaments were very much alike, and as they say: 'opposites attract, likes repel'. Never mind what the reason for their quarrel, it was the catalyst for his decision to leave his Banking career, and to embark on a more adventurous one.

For the scheme he had in mind he would need an accomplice. It was not the sort of proposition he could come right out with after approaching a likely participant. He ran through a list of his acquaintances, and he thought most of them would not, by any stretch of the imagination, be corrupt enough to take part in the enterprise he had in mind. There was one name which stood out from the rest. Walter Rayburn was a teller in the QN Bank, and Dan knew he was an inveterate gambler; a risky pastime when he had access to so much cash. He was prepared to gamble on anything, and as a result was always seeking to borrow money to pay his debts. Dan would sound him out at the earliest opportunity.

Dan had been out shooting rabbits with Walter from time to time. It was in Bank regulations to allot quantities of ammunition for practice with weapons. Dan was such an accurate shot with a revolver that Walter had bestowed the nickname of 'Deadly' on him; Deadly Dan Drummond! On the other hand, Walter was hopeless as a marksman; Dan reckoned he couldn't hit the side of a barn at twenty feet. Thus, Walter was given the sobriquet of 'Barney'.

The day after Dan and Coleen definitely called off their relationship, he was sent around to the QN Bank with a package to deliver to the Manager. There were two tellers, and neither was attending to a customer. Dan walked up to Wally's teller's box and gave him the package.

Are you doing anything tonight, Barney?

No, I have to stay in. You can't go out on the town when you're broke!

How about coming around to my room after supper? I've got a proposition for you.

Will I bring some cards?

You can if you like, but we'll only play for matchsticks. I want to talk to you about an idea I've got.

As long as it doesn't cost me anything!

It won't; not cash anyway.

In that case I'll be there. Will you have a bottle and two glasses?

Yes, I can do that.

I don't mean lemonade.

I know!

The back door of the Bank was actually the back door to Dan's room. To exit the Bank at the rear, a person had to walk through Dan's bedroom. The room was only large enough to contain a single bed, a duchess and a writing desk. The shower-room was situated beside the back door under a tank-stand. A chip heater provided hot water for the shower. The outhouse was in one corner of the yard against the back fence.

Dan was sitting on the bed when Walter appeared at the open back door.

Come in, Barney. Sit down.

Walter pulled out the only chair from under the writing desk, and sat down.

Where's the bottle; and what's the big deal?

The bottle and two glasses were sitting on the duchess. Dan got up and poured them each a glass of beer. He handed Walter one of the glasses, and he went to the bed and sat down again. He took a sip of his beer and said,

It could be a bit colder. Never mind, beer's beer.

It tastes alright to me. Now what's the big deal you wanted me to come around here for?

Are you happy in your job, mate?

It's okay, I guess. At least it brings in some cash every fortnight. Not much, to be sure, but it's enough to scrape by on.

And you're happy with that?

Not really. I don't get enough to indulge in my many vices - the horses for a start. It's frustrating to be handling so much cash and not be able to siphon any of it away for myself.

How honest are you, Barney?

What sort of a question is that? I'm as honest as the next bloke. The Bank must think so to let me handle their cash for them. Say, wait a minute. You're not thinking of embezzlement, are you?

Not at all, mate. I've been wondering how far you would step over the line to make some extra money.

You've caught my attention. Keep going!

I'd want to know whether what I'm about to suggest would make you want to turn in a mate?

Anything you say won't go beyond these four walls. I wouldn't turn you in!

Good! I'd like to rob a Bank, and I'll need someone to help me.

You mean rob, as in 'stick 'em up and hand over the money'?

Exactly!

Why don't you try embezzling instead?

No, I'd just be sitting around doing the job and waiting to be caught. No, I don't mean just one Bank; I mean to make a profession of it; to be a bushranger!

You're likely to get shot!

It's a risk, but anything would be better than what I'm doing now; always getting strips torn off me every time I make a mistake.

Why are you telling me this?

I thought I'd start by holding up your Bank!

What? Now I know you're nuts!

How would you react if a gunman shoved a revolver in your face, and told you to hand over all the cash?

Apart from fainting on the spot? I'd hand it over of course. There's no sense in getting shot trying to protect other people's money, is there?

Exactly, and that's what you'll do when I come in, isn't it?

I know you're crazy, but yes, that's what I'll do!

Good! I'll give you twenty-five percent of what we get for co-operating.

Reg has got a gun under his counter, too.

"I realize that. Here's what we'll do. I'll have the spare revolver from our Bank, but I'll keep it hidden. When I come to your counter, you will give me your gun, and then I'll cover Reg and get his from him. You will fill a bag with all your paper money while I make Reg do the same with his.'

To do it that way you won't be able to wear a mask. Reg will recognise you.

Let him! After I've acquired enough money I'll go up to Queensland and change my name and my appearance so no-one will recognise me.

They'll probably think I helped you, being mates as we are.

Not if you act frightened enough, or angry that a mate would hold a gun on you. Reg will be your alibi.

Alright, then, when will it be?

Let me know when the tellers are expected to be holding extra cash in their tills; on a payday perhaps? I don't want to try for the money in the strongroom on my first attempt. I'll work up to that after I get a gang together.

You're going to have a gang?

Yes, like Ben Hall and Frank Gardiner!

You'll finish up getting shot like them, too!

Gardiner didn't get shot. He's in jail in Sydney.

Well, they got caught, didn't they?

I won't! As soon as I've got enough I'll call it quits and go up to Queensland.

Good luck, then. Don't say I didn't warn you!

I won't.

Where are you going to find this gang of yours?

Don't worry, I'll find them! Now, as soon as you let me know when there's plenty of cash in the tellers' boxes, expect a call from 'Deadly Dan Drummond', the soon to be famous bushranger. In the meantime we'd better not be seen together too much.

........................

Chapter 2

Dan immediately began to prepare for his venture into a new profession. During one of their shooting forays, he and Walter had discovered an abandoned hut about ten miles out of town in a very secluded area, and well hidden from casual passers-by. It was only because they had to follow a wounded kangaroo which took them through the thick scrub that they stumbled across it. The hut was located in a cleared area near a small spring-fed water hole, which was probably the reason for its existence in the first place. It would make an ideal hide-out for him.

The next day, which was a Saturday, he rode out to the hut with saddle bags and two sugar bags packed with provisions. He stayed overnight, being kept awake by mosquitoes early in the night, and by shivering later even though it was summertime. After a pre-dawn breakfast he mounted up and cantered all the way back to town.

There were no shops open to buy a mosquito net and some blankets, so he stripped his bed and made a bundle to carry back to the hut. Luckily, he had spare blankets for the wintertime, but he would have to survive without a mosquito net for the time being.

He loosened the cinch on his horse, leaving it saddled, and walked around for his breakfast to the café where he had his meals.

Although it went by the name of Archerton Café it did not serve meals to the general public, but survived by trading more like a small grocery store. The owners were a kindly older couple, customers of the Bank, who had a special arrangement to supply meals to the single Bank Officer, provided the young man ate the same meals as they did. Dan had warned them that he wouldn't be in for lunch and dinner the previous day.

How did your shooting go yesterday? said Mr Loxton, the owner.

I didn't bag anything, Mr Loxton. I gave up after an hour or so and just enjoyed a ride in the country.

Why don't you take a rifle instead of the bank revolver? You wouldn't have to get so close for a shot, and you'd have more chance of hitting something.

I don't own a rifle. In any case I prefer using the hand-gun.

I'll lend you mine, if you like.

Thanks, but as I say, I prefer the revolver. I can shoot quite straight with it.

Alright, if you say so.

I'll be going out again after breakfast. I won't be here for lunch. If I happen to get a rabbit I'll bring it in for you.

Very good! If you do, Mrs L will make a rabbit stew for you.

That's what I figured; my ulterior motive.

After breakfast Dan returned to the hut with the mosquito net and blankets. On the way back to town a rabbit raced across the track only a few yards in front of him. Dan drew the revolver from his belt in one fluid motion, and shot the rabbit before it reached the safety of the long grass at the side of the track. The action of drawing the revolver, cocking it and firing so accurately had taken only a fraction of a second. The sudden explosion frightened the horse which skittered sideways across the track, but Dan was an expert horseman and soon calmed his mount for it to stand shivering quietly.

He returned to town and went directly to a home behind the Bank where he stabled his horse. As soon as he finished grooming and feeding it, he leapt the fence and went to the back door of the Bank.

When he opened the door to his room, he found a note lying on the mat. It was a note from Walter informing him that next Friday was payday for one of the largest mines in the district, and there would be a large amount of cash required to fulfil the withdrawal; in addition to the regular business pays. The paymaster usually collected the cash soon after the Bank opened, so there would be a greater than usual amount of cash in the tellers' boxes at opening time. Dan would have to be there as soon as the doors were thrown open.

So there it was! Friday morning was to be his initiation into the art of bushranging. He was ready for it! All that was needed now was the nerve to carry it through. He would have no further contact with Walter; he didn't want people to be aware of any collusion between them.

Mrs Loxton provided a delicious meal of rabbit stew that night, and he went back to his room with an uncomfortably full stomach which, when combined with the excitement of his forthcoming bank hold-up, kept him awake until after midnight.

The next four days seemed to take forever for Dan. On Thursday, storm clouds gathered and threatened to dump a deluge on the town, but the rain did not eventuate. Dan was worried that rain would cause his escape from Archerton to be clearly marked in the muddy soil. It would mean a very long and roundabout route to his hideaway, which could still probably be followed by a tracker. He hoped there were no black-trackers in the district. However, the rain held off.

Friday morning dawned overcast, but still it hadn't rained. If it held off until he was well away from town, it could then rain for all it was worth to wash out any tracks he might leave.

After breakfast he settled up his account with the Loxtons. Loxton was surprised. Normally Dan paid up after dinner that night after receiving his pay during the day.

Why are you paying so early? said Loxton.

I won't be here this evening. He didn't explain why. I won't be here for lunch either. I've been invited out.

Oh, you've made it up with Coleen, have you?

Not really. He wished he didn't like the Loxtons so much, otherwise he could tell them blatant lies. He remained silent without offering any other explanation.

Loxton hesitated for a while, shrugged his shoulders and took the money in to his office.

When ten o'clock opening time was approaching Dan went into the strongroom and took the spare revolver. He shoved it into his belt and covered it with his coat. He couldn't take the revolver he usually used on his shooting weekends - it was the teller's. The gun he had was not loaded, and he couldn't take ammunition from the stationery press without being observed and having to answer awkward questions. He slipped out the back door as if he were visiting the outhouse, and jumped the fence to collect his horse. It was already saddled, so all he had to do was tighten the cinch and make his way to the QN Bank.

The Bank wasn't open yet. Standing at the doorway waiting to enter was the paymaster of the mine, who was there to collect the payroll. It was a complication, but Dan was determined to carry on with his objective.

The front door was opened by Walter, who was surprised when he saw the paymaster standing there as well as Dan.

Surprised, Wally? said the paymaster. I'm early today, stating the obvious.

Come in, Sir, said Walter, as he cast an enquiring look at Dan, clearly at a loss as to whether the plan would go ahead.

Dan gave a wink and a slight nod.

"Which teller has the payroll?' said the paymaster.

I have, said Walter, come to my window.

When Dan held back, Reg called to him, Come over here, Dan.

No, I want to see Wally.

He moved in on the opposite side of the paymaster.

Now, see here! said the paymaster as Dan crowded him.

Hand over your gun, said Dan as he prodded the man with the empty revolver.

What? cried the man in alarm, as he looked to Walter with a plea for help on his countenance! His reaction was noticed by Reg, who hesitated for a moment as he realised that something was wrong. He dived under the counter, and emerged with his revolver. He couldn't shoot for fear of hitting the paymaster, and suddenly found himself looking down the barrel of Walter's firearm.

Drop it Reg. I don't want to shoot you.

Reg thought about turning the gun on Walter, but knew he would be dead before he could pull the trigger. Besides he'd never ever shot anyone, and here was a mate pointing a gun at him! The little drama going on could not be seen by the rest of the staff because of the structure of the tellers' boxes.

Give me your gun, and then fill up the canvas bags with banknotes, Reg. Quickly, now!

Meanwhile, Dan relieved the paymaster of his six-shooter and put it in his belt under his coat. Walter handed him Reg's gun which he checked to make sure it was loaded. His own empty gun joined the other one in his belt as he swapped it for the loaded one.

There was a distraction when another customer walked into the Bank. He didn't notice the drama taking place at the front counter, and walked over to a desk and began to make out a deposit slip.

When the bags were full, Walter pushed them both out on to the customers' side of the counter and handed his gun to Dan, who kept both men covered. Walter opened the rear door to his box and walked around to the front of the counter. He picked up both bags, and said, Let's go!

Dan kept the others covered as they backed out the front door. His horse was waiting in the side alley next to the Bank.

Don't worry, my horse is tied up around the back, said Walter. I intended to come with you anyway!

They could hear the commotion inside the Bank, and quickly mounted and galloped down the main street and out of town. There was no need for caution.

The Bank Manager came running out of the door and loosed a shot at them, but they were too far away, and the Manager was putting the townspeople in danger by continuing to fire. The one shot brought a policeman to the scene demanding to know who was shooting within the town limits.

The two friends took a devious route to the hideaway hut in case there was a tracker available for the police to use. They made their way carefully into the glade so it would not be obvious that there was a path leading in.

..............................

Chapter 3

Let's count the money, said Walter.

Dan threw the two bags on the table, swung his leg over the wooden form which served as a seat, and sat down.

What made you throw in with me, Barney? You must have planned to, because your horse was there saddled and ready to go.

I hadn't really made up my mind when I went to work, but I left my horse at the back just in case.

You must have been giving it some thought, though, mustn't you?

Yeah, I started to think about you and your gang. Then I thought about all the fuss and bother at the Bank when my cash wouldn't balance at the end of the day. The way the manager carried on you'd think I'd taken it... which I didn't! I'm plain hopeless when it comes to balancing cash.

In that case I'd better do the counting with this lot.

Dan started to count their ill-gotten gains.

I take it I qualify to be one of your gang? said Walter.

Yep! You do! You can be my second-in-charge.

In that case, what is my split?

I promised you twenty-five percent to play doggo during the hold-up. I suppose, seeing you played an active part, I'll have to pay you more - say sixty-forty for this one!

That sounds fair enough. What will you do when you get others in the gang?

I've given it a bit of thought. I reckon I'll keep forty percent seeing I'll be paying all the bills, and split sixty percent between the other members. If we get two more it'll mean you'll be down to twenty percent each. Fair enough?

As long as the takings are good enough! How much is in today's loot?

Dan finished counting.

Today's takings amount to £4,200! How about that, Barney? We've never had that much money in our lives before!

Forty percent! That means I've now got £1,700!

It amounts to £1,680 to be exact. No wonder you could never balance your cash!

Now we've got to figure out a way to spend it!

I'll be saving most of mine. As soon as I've got enough I'll be off to Queensland.

I can't wait for the next race meeting, so I can start building mine up!

That's one sure way of losing it, Barney. Surely you know that by now. In any case, you won't be able to go to the local races or you'll be recognised.

Damn! There always has to be a catch!

We'll have to lie low for a while until things calm down a bit. Sergeant Harper will probably call for some help to try to track us down. It means we'll have to stay here for a while and keep our heads down. I brought out some reading matter the other day. You'll have to be satisfied with that. Otherwise, there's a pack of cards in with the other stuff.

How about food?

I brought out enough to last me and Starlight for two weeks, so with the extra mouths to feed I'd say we'll have to find some more in a week or so. I know how to set snares to catch rabbits, and I know how to make a tasty rabbit stew. We've only got eighteen rounds for our guns until we can get some more, so we don't want to waste bullets on rabbits. The horses could probably forage for themselves, but I want to keep Starlight fed properly, and fit! He's a racehorse; or he used to be. We'll have to get you a faster horse, too.

What's wrong with my horse?

Do you really think you could keep up with me if we have to go flat out?

No, I suppose not.

Then, we'll have to get you a fast mount, too. The same for anyone else we get to help us. We'll have to find out who keeps racehorses around here. It could mean the difference between a great life in Queensland, and a crook time for the rest of our lives in jail ...or worse!

Old man Sparkes breeds racehorses. I've won money on some of them; I've lost some too! His place is only a few miles out of town.

We'll have to pay him a visit one day ...or night!

Dan finished separating the cash into bundles. He handed one to Walter.

Here's you share, Barney. Don't gamble it all away.

I can't believe it! £1,680! How long would it take me to earn that in the Bank? A few years, I reckon!

More than that - at three quid a week it would take ten or eleven years.

"And we earned it in one morning! Wow! That's what I call a good morning's work. I'm sure pleased I came with you, Dan!'

So am I! Let's hope we can stay free and out of trouble.

......

Back in town, as soon as the robbers disappeared from sight down the main road to Sydney, Sergeant Harper hurried up to the Bank to see what happened. The manager waited for him at the entrance; he still had the smoking revolver in his hand. People were converging on the Bank from all directions.

What happened, Mr Madison? asked the Sergeant.

We've been robbed! Held up at gunpoint and robbed!

Is anyone hurt? I only heard one shot, and that was by you, I think!

No, everyone is unharmed. Aren't you going to go after them?

Of course, but I'd like to know a bit more about what happened.

One of his Constables arrived at that moment, and was despatched to round up a few men to give chase to the bandits as soon as the Sergeant learned in detail what happened. They moved back inside where the whole staff was grouped around Reg as he related his experience of looking down the barrel of a deadly firearm.

He had to repeat it for the Police Sergeant.

Would you know them, if you saw them again?

Of course! Didn't I say? It was Dan Drummond from the Wales Bank and Wally Rayburn, the other teller here.

I know them! Why on earth would they suddenly turn bank robbers?

The Constable walked in at that moment, and advised his Sergeant that there were five mounted men outside willing to go after the robbers.

Alright, Kruger, take them and see if you can catch the young buggers. Bring them back alive if you can, but don't put the volunteers in any more danger than absolutely necessary.

Do you think they'll resist, Sarge?

They're armed! What do you think they'll do? It's your job to see that no-one gets killed, okay?

The group of volunteers returned late in the day to confess they had been unable to find any trace of the fugitives. The road to Sydney bore a great amount of traffic, and several travellers admitted to seeing a couple of horsemen fitting the description of the bank robbers. After a while the sightings ceased, and they had to assume the miscreants had left the main road. Unfortunately, there was not one of the townsmen who possessed the ability to track, so after a random search in the area for many hours, they returned to Archerton empty-handed.

Meanwhile Sergeant Harper advised nearby Police Districts to be on the lookout for the two young men. He was forced to admit to himself that the descriptions he sent out could apply to almost half the young men in the area, except for the clothes they were wearing at the time of their escape; and town clothes could easily be discarded to be replaced by country outfits.

This was one aspect which Dan realised would have to be taken care of before they showed their faces anywhere.

There were two bunks made of rough wooden frames attached to the wall with hessian stretched across for them to lay on ...no fibre mattress like they were used to. Dan brought enough blankets for him to share with Wally, but only one mosquito net, therefore Wally spent the early part of the first night in the hideaway slapping at mosquitoes.

Dan was first to get up the next morning. Shortly after daylight he had the fire lighted in the old iron stove, and the large iron kettle which had been bequeathed them by the previous occupant was soon boiling. An old tin teapot, similarly acquired, was put to good use, and the tea was already brewed by the time Wally poked his head up from the blanket he hid under.

The mossies just about ate me alive last night!

Sorry about that, Wal. If we could have shifted the bunks I would have shared the net with you. We'll have to go in to town sooner or later to get some work clothes. We'll save the ones we're wearing now for when we go robbing once again. They'll call us the best-dressed bushrangers in the country. It will be our claim to fame!

But we can't go back to Archerton. Harper will have us in the lock-up in two seconds flat!

No, not unless we go after dark. Otherwise we might have to go to Chesterton. It's a good day's ride away, but we shouldn't be recognised there. I don't suppose you've ever had a photograph taken, have you?

There's only the one tin-type taken of me in a family group before I left home to come out here in the Bank.

Harper wouldn't have been able to get that yet, even if he thinks of it, so we should be safe enough to go to Chesterton if we have to. I'd like to go to Chesterton soon in any case, because the Bank there is the next one I have in mind to relieve of their cash. Before we do that though, I think we should really outfit ourselves with working clothes, because if a couple of blokes roam the streets in our good clothes, we would stand out, I reckon, and it would be a mistake to draw attention to ourselves.

So it means a night trip back to town, and a break-in to the Mercantile!

That's what it will have to be. If we go after midnight there shouldn't be anyone about on the streets. There's a good moon tonight, so tonight it will have to be.

They had no trouble breaking in to the Mercantile, finding a mosquito net for Wally, and outfitting themselves with a couple of sets of working clothes each. They already had riding boots, but took a new pair each while they had the chance. Six packets of bullets were also added to their haul. Dan felt a little uncomfortable about robbing Mr Chadwick, the owner of the Mercantile. He liked the man, but he was a bushranger now, and he had to bury his scruples.

On their silent way out of town they passed the home where Coleen boarded, and Dan wondered if she was awake, and if she were, what she was thinking. Did she regret breaking up with him? What did she think of him now? He wished they could have made it up, but if they had he might not now be a fugitive, and he was enjoying his new life too much to be very sorry.

They must have disturbed a dog, because one started to bark, but it soon gave up, and all was quiet once again except for the soft plodding of the horses' hooves in the dusty street, and the creak of saddle leather.

.....................................

Chapter 4

A couple of nights later they went on a night raid to the Sparkes's racehorse stud, and managed to get away undetected with one of his best stock which was chosen carefully by Dan with only moonlight, and the sure touch of one who knew quality when he saw it.

It took only two days after their branch into horse-stealing for the inactivity to have an effect on their mood. They played cards for a few hours, but Wally wasn't interested in playing for matchsticks, and Dan could not be persuaded to gamble for cash. Reading books to fill in time soon lost its appeal; they might have been Bank clerks, but they were out-doors men at heart, and sitting idling away the time with an uninteresting book was not their idea of fun. Setting snares for rabbits occupied them for a while; they even tried fishing for yabbies in the waterhole with meat on a string (they didn't have any hooks or lines to go fishing). They caught a few yabbies, one of which clawed Wally on the finger, but it made them a welcome change of diet.

"When are we going to do something? said Wally. Being a bushranger isn't much fun sitting around all day. We might as well be back working in the Bank!"

Yeah, you're right, Barney. What say we go in to Chesterton tomorrow, and spend a couple of days there? We could have a look at the Bank at the same time, and decide how we'll go about robbing it.

I'm all for that!

It should be safe enough. There shouldn't be anyone there who'd recognise us. We'll wear the working clothes we 'bought' from the Mercantile. We'd better not wear our guns to town. Keeping them close in the saddlebags will have to do.

I can hardly wait to find a card game now I've got some dough to play with.

Don't be stupid, Barney! You'll only draw attention to us if you go flashing around a wad of banknotes. No, take a few quid with you, and we'll hide the rest out here somewhere. In any case, you'd only lose it in a card game, wouldn't you?

Not necessarily; I'm not a bad poker player.

Then explain to me how you always seemed to be short of cash!

That's because I didn't have a big enough kitty to play my way through a run of bad luck.

Okay, I'll believe you; thousands wouldn't!

It's a known fact that you need a healthy bank behind you to win a small fortune.

The only way you'll win a small fortune is to start with a large one!

That's your opinion. Anyway, where will we hide our money?

I reckon we should dig a hole in the dirt floor near the stove, and bury that old biscuit tin. We could cover the disturbed earth with a stack of wood for the fire.

That sounds like a good idea. Let's do it! We can bury the tin now, but it's too dark to be collecting firewood. I'm not keen on picking up a snake or a death adder!

We'll collect the wood first thing in the morning.

It took them all of the next day to ride to Chesterton. They followed the main road, always leaving it if they were aware in time that other travellers were approaching. The few times they were caught in the open there was no indication that they had been recognised as fugitives.

Arriving in Chesterton when dusk was beginning to envelop the land, they rode down the main street until they came to a two-storied hotel proudly bearing the name of 'Grand Hotel'. They tied their weary mounts to the hitch-rail at the front, and climbed the two steps to the hotel veranda. The bar was to the left of the entrance, so they strode the three or four paces, and pushed their way through the swinging doors. There were only half a dozen men lining the bar, some with feet up on the brass foot rail, a couple leaning on the bar in earnest conversation, and one man was leaning backwards with elbows resting behind him on the polished cedar top.

There were a few other men in the room sitting at the tables which were spread around the available space. A barman was standing behind the bar wiping a glass as he spoke to one of his customers. The only one who paid much heed to the newcomers was the man leaning backwards on the bar top with one foot hooked back on to the brass rail. He was studying them intently as they approached the only vacant area fronting the bar.

As soon as he saw them, the bar-tender walked along and asked them, What can I get you, mates?

Two beers please, mate, said Dan, placing a ten shilling note on the counter. We're also looking for a room with a couple of beds, and somewhere we can stable our horses.

The barman brought them their beers, and said, The lady in the office in the hallway will book you a room, and the blacksmith down the road a couple of chain will look after your horses.

Thank you, said Dan. Don't go too far away. We'll have another one as soon as we finish these. It's been a dusty, thirsty day.

He turned to the man who had been studying them, and said, Would you like a beer, mate?

The stranger turned and pushed his glass forward.

I don't mind if I do, thanks.

Bar-tender, another one for this man too, please.

The name's Mick, he said, as he held out his hand to shake.

Mine's Dan, and this bloke behind me, guzzling like he hasn't had a beer for a week, will answer to Barney.

Mick nodded towards the large, clear glass window, and said, Those are two fine-looking horses you've got there. Thoroughbreds, are they?

Yes, they are. My father breeds them in Sydney.

Well, take a tip from me, and keep your eye on them; there are horse-thieves around, and those two would be prime pickings for anyone who isn't particular how he comes by them.

Thanks, Mick, we do that. Is the blacksmith to be trusted?

As far as I know, yes! Mine is stabled down with him, and he's looked after it just fine for the last few days.

That's good! We'll go and see him as soon as we've finished our beers, and book in. What are you doing here, anyway?

Dan was a born and bred city boy, and had not lived in the country long enough to know that it was not the sort of direct question you asked of a complete stranger. However, Mick did not take offence.

I'm looking for work.