Fallen Among Thieves
In 1867, a man travels from his station near Narandera to Wagga Wagga, accompanied by an elderly nurse. The journey is fraught with danger due to the presence of a gang of bushrangers led by a notorious figure known as 'Blue-cap.' Despite the risks, he decides to travel unarmed, relying on luck to avoid the outlaws. During the return trip, he encounters three horsemen, initially believing them to be bushrangers. One of them, a young man, demands money and watches. The traveler, realizing they are not actual criminals but rather pressed men from a neighboring station, manages to avoid confrontation. The gang, seeking horses and a new rifle, visits the home of Mr. Lupton, where they successfully demand the rifle from Mrs. Lupton, who remains composed under pressure. The bushrangers' exploits lead to their eventual capture by the police. The gang, including Blue-cap, is apprehended after a brief confrontation. The narrator later visits the captured outlaws, reflecting on their choices and the futility of their criminal lifestyle. Blue-cap expresses regret over his decisions, lamenting the loss of a promising life as a stock-rider. The narrative explores themes of crime, consequence, and the human condition, highlighting the complexities of morality and the choices that lead individuals down divergent paths. The captured bushrangers face trial, and the narrator contemplates their future, hoping for their reform. The story concludes with a sense of closure as the land experiences a period of peace following the gang's capture.
By Rolf Boldrewood · First published 1888 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Western · 4,206 words
First lines
In the spring of 1867 I had occasion to travel from my station, Bundidgaree, near Narandera, on the Murrumbidgee River, to the historic town of Wagga Wagga, the residence of Mr. Arthur Orton, whose claim to the Tichborne title and estates was then agitating Britain and her Colonies. An elderly nurse returning to her home was to accompany me in an American buggy. The roads were good; the weather fine; the horse high in condition, exceptional as to pace and courage. Yet was the situation doubtful, even complicated. The road was risky, the head-station lonely and unprotected. A gang of bushrangers, under a leader popularly known as 'Blue-cap,' was at the time I mention within twenty or thirty miles of Narandera. There was a strong probability that I should encounter them, or that they would visit the station during my absence. Either hap was disagreeable, not to say dangerous. I left home with mingled feelings. But circumstances were obdurate. I had to go. The outlaws, five in number, were 'back-block natives,' all young men with the exception of a middle-aged personage known as 'The Doctor. ' He was credited with having 'done time,' that is, served a sentence of imprisonment, which apparently had not led to reformation, as he was looked upon as the most dangerous member of the band. Not as yet committed to acts of bloodshed, they had exchanged shots with Mr. Waller of Kooba-a station below Narandera-who had surprised them while encamped upon his Run.
What this Textopian page supports
Fallen Among Thieves is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rolf Boldrewood, dated 1888 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Rolf Boldrewood
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Western, Crime, Drama
- Length: 4,206 words
- Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Fallen Among Thieves by Rolf Boldrewood
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Fallen Among Thieves?
- How does this short story by Rolf Boldrewood fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Other Englishman by Stanley J. Weyman
- In Bad Company by Rolf Boldrewood
- Muggless Supreme Moment by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- The Long Night by Stanley J. Weyman
- The Snowball by Stanley J. Weyman
- The Story Of Francis Cludde by Stanley J. Weyman
Genres
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a journey fraught with danger from bushrangers, emphasizing themes of survival and risk.
- Historical Fiction — Set in 1867 Australia, the narrative incorporates real historical elements and figures, reflecting the socio-political context of the time.
- Western — The presence of bushrangers and the rural Australian setting aligns with the conventions of Western genre, focusing on outlaws and law enforcement.
- Crime — The story involves criminal activities, specifically robbery and the pursuit of outlaws, central to the narrative.
Tags
crime · adventure · Australia · 19th century · outlaws · betrayal · redemption · friendship · mystery · suspense · social commentary · class struggle