Nixon dismounted and squatted on the ground. Horses had been pawing at the dirt that was scraped back into trenches. There were rings around the trees.

‘The horses that were here were tied for more than a week. Mary Boyce must have tipped them off.’

The Skillington boy nodded.

‘This is their camp, alright.’

Further on, the boy found a riding saddle and a pack saddle with a billy can and a slip bag with rations – corned meat, onions, camp bread and a tin of jam. Nixon handled a tin of fresh homemade butter such as he had seen Ada Thurlow take from Mrs Boyce. They found blankets and a water bag.

‘Leave it all here,’ said Nixon. ‘Mount up and ride.’