Robbery Under Arms [228]
herald,' says Starlight. `I hand over to these worthy free companions the frank-geld; isn't that the term? -- and when they have counted it (for they won't take your word or mine), the Graf here -- most high-born and high-beseeming, but uncommonly-near-ending his glorious career magnate -- will be restored to you. Very pleasant company we've found him. I should like to have my revenge at picquet, that's all.'
While this was going on Starlight had collared the bundle of notes from the doctor, and chucked it over quite careless-like to Moran. `There it is for you,' says he. `You can divide it between you. Dick and I stand out this time; and you can't say you've done badly.'
Moran didn't say anything, but he and Wall got off their horses and sat down on their heels -- native fashion. Then they turned to, counting out the notes one by one. They were all fivers -- so it took some time -- as they neither of 'em weren't very smart at figures, and after they'd got out twenty or thirty they'd get boxed, like a new hand counting sheep, and have to begin all over again. It must have been aggravating to Mr. Knightley, and he was waiting to be let go, in a manner of speaking. He never showed it, but kept smoking and yarning with Starlight, pointing out how grand the sun was just a-setting on the Bulga Mountains -- just for all the world as if he'd given a picnic, and was making himself pleasant to the people that stayed longest.
At long last they'd got to the end of the conning, and divided the notes. Moran tied his up in a bunch, and rolled 'em in his poncho; but Wall crammed his into his pocket and made 'em all stick out like a boy that's been stealing apples. When they mounted their horses, Mr. Knightley shook hands with me and Starlight. Then he turns round to Moran and Wall -- `We're parting good friends after all's said and done,' he says. `Just as well matters have been settled this way. Come, now, in cool blood, ain't you rather glad, Moran?'
`Dashed if I know,' growls he. `All I know is, you're deuced well out of it; your luck mayn't be so good another time.'
`Nor yours either, my friend,' says Mr. Knightley, drawing up his bridle-rein. `I had only a snap-shot at you when that bullet went through your poncho, or you'd be lying alongside of Daly. However, I needn't waste my breath talking to that brute,' he says to Starlight. `I know well all I owe to you and Dick Marston here. Some day I may repay it.'
`You mean what I owe you,' says Starlight, turning it off with a laugh. `Never fear, you'll find that paid to your credit in the bank. We have agents in all sorts of places. Good-bye, and a safe ride home. My respectful compliments to Mrs. Knightley. Perhaps you'd better follow the doctor now.' The old gentleman had got tired waiting, and ridden on slow and easy.
Two or three weeks after, Starlight and I were taking a ride towards the Bogan Road, not that we was on for anything particular, but just having a turn round for want of something else to do, when we saw a big mob of cattle coming along, with three or four stock-riders behind 'em. Then we met a loaded dray and team in front, that had rations and swags and a tent. The driver asked us if we knew a good place to camp. He was a talking sort of chap, and we yarned away with him for a bit. He told us how the boss was behind in a dogcart and tandem, with two led horses besides. The cattle were going to take up a new run he'd bought on the Lower Bogan, an out-and-out wild place; but he'd got the country cheap, and thought it would pay in the end. He was going ahead after a stage or two, but just now he was camping with them.
`My word, he's well in, is the cove,' says the horse-driver; `he's got half-a-dozen stations besides this one. He'll be one of the richest men in Australia yet.'
After we saw the cattle (about a thousand head) we thought it would be a middling day's work to `stick up' the cove and put him through. Going to form a new station, he'd very like have cash about, as he'd have to pay for a lot of things on the nail
While this was going on Starlight had collared the bundle of notes from the doctor, and chucked it over quite careless-like to Moran. `There it is for you,' says he. `You can divide it between you. Dick and I stand out this time; and you can't say you've done badly.'
Moran didn't say anything, but he and Wall got off their horses and sat down on their heels -- native fashion. Then they turned to, counting out the notes one by one. They were all fivers -- so it took some time -- as they neither of 'em weren't very smart at figures, and after they'd got out twenty or thirty they'd get boxed, like a new hand counting sheep, and have to begin all over again. It must have been aggravating to Mr. Knightley, and he was waiting to be let go, in a manner of speaking. He never showed it, but kept smoking and yarning with Starlight, pointing out how grand the sun was just a-setting on the Bulga Mountains -- just for all the world as if he'd given a picnic, and was making himself pleasant to the people that stayed longest.
At long last they'd got to the end of the conning, and divided the notes. Moran tied his up in a bunch, and rolled 'em in his poncho; but Wall crammed his into his pocket and made 'em all stick out like a boy that's been stealing apples. When they mounted their horses, Mr. Knightley shook hands with me and Starlight. Then he turns round to Moran and Wall -- `We're parting good friends after all's said and done,' he says. `Just as well matters have been settled this way. Come, now, in cool blood, ain't you rather glad, Moran?'
`Dashed if I know,' growls he. `All I know is, you're deuced well out of it; your luck mayn't be so good another time.'
`Nor yours either, my friend,' says Mr. Knightley, drawing up his bridle-rein. `I had only a snap-shot at you when that bullet went through your poncho, or you'd be lying alongside of Daly. However, I needn't waste my breath talking to that brute,' he says to Starlight. `I know well all I owe to you and Dick Marston here. Some day I may repay it.'
`You mean what I owe you,' says Starlight, turning it off with a laugh. `Never fear, you'll find that paid to your credit in the bank. We have agents in all sorts of places. Good-bye, and a safe ride home. My respectful compliments to Mrs. Knightley. Perhaps you'd better follow the doctor now.' The old gentleman had got tired waiting, and ridden on slow and easy.
Two or three weeks after, Starlight and I were taking a ride towards the Bogan Road, not that we was on for anything particular, but just having a turn round for want of something else to do, when we saw a big mob of cattle coming along, with three or four stock-riders behind 'em. Then we met a loaded dray and team in front, that had rations and swags and a tent. The driver asked us if we knew a good place to camp. He was a talking sort of chap, and we yarned away with him for a bit. He told us how the boss was behind in a dogcart and tandem, with two led horses besides. The cattle were going to take up a new run he'd bought on the Lower Bogan, an out-and-out wild place; but he'd got the country cheap, and thought it would pay in the end. He was going ahead after a stage or two, but just now he was camping with them.
`My word, he's well in, is the cove,' says the horse-driver; `he's got half-a-dozen stations besides this one. He'll be one of the richest men in Australia yet.'
After we saw the cattle (about a thousand head) we thought it would be a middling day's work to `stick up' the cove and put him through. Going to form a new station, he'd very like have cash about, as he'd have to pay for a lot of things on the nail