As Reuben saw that he would be hurt by any shadow of denial, he accepted Mr.
Hudson's kind offer; although he had intended to ask Captain Wilson to make an advance of pay, in order that he might get what was necessary.

He could not, however, have purchased such an outfit as Mr.Hudson insisted on getting for him; the latter ordering not only uniforms but suits of plain clothes, together with saddlery, holsters, a sword, and a brace of excellent double-barrelled pistols.

He did not need to buy a horse, having in his stables one in every way suitable, being at once quiet and fast--it was, indeed, one of the most valuable animals in the colony.
"You will have to keep your eyes open, Reuben," he said, as he gave him the horse, "or he will be stolen from you.

These bush ranger fellows are always well mounted, and anyone at an up-country station, who has an animal at all out of the ordinary way, has to keep his stable door locked and sleep with one eye open; and even then, the chances are strongly in favour of his losing his horse, before long.

These fellows know that their lives often depend upon the speed of their horse and, naturally, spare no pains to get hold of a good one.
"Ah, I have a good idea.
"Jim," he shouted to one of the black boys, "come here." The lad, who was about eighteen years of age, trotted up.
"Jim, this gentleman is going to be a police officer, and he's going to take the bay with him; now he wants a good servant.