They came to the camp of a tribe of Aborigines under the rule of a government-appointed king. This was King Billy of Marmadilla.

Jim spoke to the tribe in English and they pretended not to understand. Then he spoke to them with some words of their own.

King Billy came out of a timber and iron shack to meet him. Jim told the King that his horses wanted water. He could trade tobacco. He asked if his men could stay in humpie for a night. The King eyed the ragged men and asked who was chasing them.

‘Why do you ask this?’

‘Because I have seen the men. Two riders moving fast. With guns at their hips.’

‘What did they look like? Police?’

‘Assassins.’

Jim nodded. He asked King Billy if he had an empty bottle. The old man had a boy fetch it. Then Jim took out his flask and poured four fingers of whisky.

‘Tell me everything you know.’

A day later they sat under cover of rocks on a high dry creek bed at Albinia watching two riders approach from the west. The riders crested a hill and drew level with the gang, but as yet the riders had not seen them. Jim snapped the bolt of his rifle and rested it on his knee. He watched the riders pass.