throat the white bow that characterizes the Wesleyan preacher.

'The fear of God is the beginning of all righteousness. Tread ye in
His ways, my children,' he said, raising his hand above the group.
And then pronouncing a benediction, the miscreant departed.

The robber chief next appeared, and him our hero could never have
identified. Under his wide-brimmed hat tufts of curly chestnut hair
were visible; and his jaws and chin had a huge beard to match in
colour.

'Cattle dealer,' whispered The Lifter. The robber's clothing were
such as to harmonize with a man who bought and sold horses, bullocks
and flocks of sheep. In his hand he carried a heavy, knotted stick.

'We return at moonrise,' he said to the old woman as he turned away.

'Good luck, good luck to ee,' quavered the crone. 'A pocket-full o'
yallow shiners for yourself, me fine dear.' And she waved her
withered arm after the robber many times. 'Seventy-two years I've
lived in this bush, girl an' woman, an' he's the finest one that ever
come into it; barrin' my other son the Slugger that the p'lice bagged
when he was drunk. But not apeach would he, even when they put the
rope around his neck. He's the sort of a man for you to pattern by,
my young one,' the old woman said, turning to Roland and addressing
him for the first time.

'Why, old dame, ought I be anxious to have myself hanged in the end,
as I understand this Slugger was?'