Robbery Under Arms. By Rolf Boldrewood FULL Audiobook
"Robbery Under Arms" is a captivating bushranger novel penned by Thomas Alexander Browne, who wrote under the pseudonym Rolf Boldrewood. First serialized in The Sydney Mail between July 1882 and August 1883, it later appeared in three volumes in London in 1888. This enthralling tale has remained in print ever since, cementing its status as a classic of Australian colonial literature alongside works like Marcus Clarke's "For the Term of His Natural Life" and Fergus Hume's "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab".

The narrative unfolds through the eyes of the protagonist, Dick Marston, who recounts his life's adventures and entanglements with the notorious bushranger Captain Starlight. Set against the backdrop of the Australian bush and goldfields during the 1850s, the story delves into a series of escapades involving cattle theft and daring robberies.

Here's a detailed summary of the novel:

1. Dick's Childhood and Family Dynamics:
- Dick Marston's upbringing is marked by a violent father, Ben, prone to aggression when intoxicated.
- His family includes his mother, sister Aileen, and brother Jim.
- The theft of a red calf exposes Dick to his father's criminal tendencies, despite his mother's disapproval.
- The family's divergent paths intersect with that of their neighbor and friend, George Storefield.

2. Cattle Duffing and Introduction to Captain Starlight:
- Ignoring an honest work offer from George, Dick and Jim choose a life of cattle duffing (stealing).
- Their criminal journey leads them to the enigmatic Captain Starlight and his Aboriginal assistant, Warrigal.
- Starlight's hideaway, Terrible Hollow, becomes their base of operations.

3. Brazen Heists and Overland Adventures:
- The brothers participate in various thefts, culminating in the audacious pilfering of 1000 cattle.
- With Starlight's guidance, they drive the stolen herd overland to Adelaide.
- The success of this venture propels them into Melbourne, where they encounter the Morrison sisters, Kate and Jeanie.

4. Incarceration and Trial:
- Returning home for Christmas, the brothers' criminal activities catch up with them.
- Dick and Starlight face trial, with the magistrate referring to the latter only by his notorious nickname.

"Robbery Under Arms" weaves together themes of family loyalty, criminal allure, and the harsh Australian landscape. Boldrewood's vivid prose immerses readers in a world of outlaws, speculators, and stolen land, leaving an indelible mark on colonial literature. Adapted multiple times for film and theater, this novel continues to resonate with audiences, capturing the spirit of an era when lawlessness clashed with the untamed wilderness ..


00:00:00 Preface to New Edition
00:01:32 Robbery Under Arms. I
00:23:59 II
00:40:53 III
01:06:50 IV
01:22:46 V
01:46:28 VI
02:06:50 VII
02:22:15 VIII
02:34:55 IX
02:48:57 X
03:04:32 XI
03:33:41 XII
03:59:09 XIII
04:23:20 XIV
04:43:23 XV
04:56:03 XVI
05:18:56 XVII
05:46:38 XVIII
06:11:41 XIX
06:33:45 XX
06:57:35 XXI
07:24:55 XXII
07:46:47 XXIII
08:15:51 XXIV
09:23:30 XXV
09:45:53 XXVI
10:06:14 XXVII
10:26:03 XXVIII
10:48:45 XXIX
11:12:31 XXX
11:35:25 XXXI

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