Morgan the Bushranger
The narrative follows the notorious bushranger, a figure of fear and infamy in the Australian outback during the 1860s. Known for his cunning and brutality, he instills terror in the hearts of travelers and settlers alike. His reputation is built on a series of violent encounters, where he displays a complete lack of mercy, often resorting to murder and robbery without hesitation. Unlike other outlaws who occasionally exhibited a sense of honor or camaraderie, he operates as a solitary figure, driven by a savage instinct for violence and domination. The bushranger's exploits include meticulously planned raids on pastoral stations, where he revels in the chaos he creates. He is characterized by his skillful horsemanship and intimate knowledge of the terrain, which allows him to evade capture repeatedly. His encounters with victims often blend elements of dark humor and sheer terror, as he taunts and threatens them while executing his crimes. The story culminates in a tense standoff at Peechelbah Station, where the bushranger takes hostages, including the station's owner and his family. The manager, aware of the danger, devises a plan to surround the house and prevent the bushranger from escaping. He gathers his trusted men, arming them and preparing for a confrontation. The atmosphere is charged with anxiety as they await the break of dawn, knowing that the bushranger is a cunning adversary. As morning arrives, the bushranger attempts to leave the station, using his hostages as shields. However, the manager's men are ready, and one of them takes the critical shot that mortally wounds the bushranger. In his final moments, he expresses a twisted sense of grievance, lamenting the lack of a fair challenge, a bitter irony given his own history of violence. The aftermath of his death brings a sense of relief to the community, which had lived in fear of his reign of terror. The news spreads quickly, and the local populace gathers to celebrate the end of his tyranny, marking a significant moment in the history of the region. The narrative serves as both a cautionary tale about the nature of lawlessness and a reflection on the complexities of morality in a lawless land.
By Rolf Boldrewood · First published 1885 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Western · 4,795 words
First lines
For several years the announcement 'I'm Morgan,' uttered in the drawling monotone which characterises one section of Australian-born natives, sufficed to ensure panic among ordinary travellers, and if it did not cause 'the stoutest heart to quail' in the words of the old romancers, was seldom heard without accelerated cardiac action. For the hearer then became aware, if he had not earlier realised the fact, that he was in the power of a merciless enemy of his kind-blood-stained, malignant, capricious withal, desperate too, with the knowledge that the avenger of blood was ever on his trail, that if taken alive the gallows was his doom, beyond doubt or argument. A convicted felon, who had served his sentence, he bore himself as one who had suffered wrongs and injustice from society, which he repaid with usury. Patient and wary as the Red Indian, he was ruthless in his hour of triumph as the 'wolf Apache' or the cannibal Navajo exulting with a foe, helpless at the stake.
What this Textopian page supports
Morgan the Bushranger is listed on Textopian as a novel by Rolf Boldrewood, dated 1885 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Rolf Boldrewood
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Western, Crime, Biography
- Length: 4,795 words
- Structure: 1 section, 73 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Morgan the Bushranger by Rolf Boldrewood
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Gentleman Jack Bushranger by Don Delaney
- Country Sentiment Outlaws by Robert Graves
- In Bad Company by Rolf Boldrewood
- A Forgotten Tragedy by Rolf Boldrewood
- Michael Howe The Last And Worst Of The Bush Rangers Of Van Diemans Land by Thomas E. Wells
- In The Shadow Of The Guillotine by Rafael Sabatini
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a specific historical context, focusing on the life of the bushranger Daniel Morgan and the societal conditions of 19th century Australia.
- Adventure — The plot involves thrilling escapades, robberies, and confrontations, characteristic of adventure narratives.
- Western — The themes of lawlessness, outlaws, and the rugged Australian landscape align with the conventions of Western genre literature.
- Crime — The story revolves around criminal activities, including robbery and murder, highlighting the life of a notorious outlaw.
Tags
bushranger · Australia · historical fiction · 19th century · outlaws · adventure · crime · law enforcement · colonial · rebellion · romance · drama