A rally and a rescue of Moran, who was on the point of being captured by the enemy, gave them an excuse to draw off, dragging their defeated leader beyond harm's reach.

A few moments later, in the midst of excited cheering and jeering, a number of the men became aware of a small, bare-headed, red-haired, white-faced boy standing on the logs between the foes, where he had stood whilst the fight was still waging, whirling his hat, and crying something at the top of his voice: 'The troopers! The troopers! The troopers! It was Dick Haddon, very frightened apparently, and ablaze with excitement.
'Don't fight, don't fight!' he cried.

''Twas me took the goats, an' the troopers're comin'! Look, the troopers! Sure enough, far off across the level country leading down to Yarraman, a small body of mounted police could be seen riding at a canter towards Waddy, their swords and cap-peaks glittering in the sun.

The men stared in the direction pointed by Dick in silence, wondering what this development might mean.

Devoy was the first to move.