I am glad to hear the news, for to tell you the truth, I do think we want a little fresh blood amongst us." Three days later the new detachment arrived, and Reuben saw, at once, that Captain Wilson had chosen a picked set of young men.
About half of them were freshly enlisted in the force.

The others had all been employed at up-country stations, and were well acquainted with the nature of the work before them.

The same afternoon, the eight men picked out by Sergeant O'Connor as being the least useful on the station started for Sydney, most of them well pleased at being relieved from their arduous duties.
Reuben found that there were, in the office, a great many letters from settlers, asking for protection.

It was impossible to comply with all these but, after consultation with O'Connor, he sent five parties, of three men each, to as many exposed stations; keeping ten in hand, to move as required.
Taking Jim, and two of the constables who had been longest on the station, he spent two months in traversing his district, from end to end, and making himself thoroughly acquainted with its geographical features; for he felt that, until he had mastered these, he should only be working in the dark.

For a time the outrages had ceased, the bush rangers having shifted their quarters, and the natives withdrawn after the murder of the late inspector.