He was spending the last night at Dick Caister's when, just as they were about to turn in, the sound of a horse's hoofs, at full gallop, was heard.
"Something is the matter," Dick said.

"Men don't ride like that, at night, for nothing." He went to the door and opened it, just as the horseman stopped in front.
"Quick, Caister!" the man said as he leaped down, "the bush rangers are not fifty yards behind." And indeed, the sound of the trampling of other horses sounded close behind.
"Come in, come in!" Dick cried.

"Ah! Is it you, Shillito?
Never mind the horse, he must look after himself.

Luckily the captain's here, and we will give it them hot.

Just run round and see that all the shutters are fastened." As Dick spoke he was barring the door, and he now shouted at the top of his voice to the two hired men, who were in bed upstairs; but before any answer could be returned, there was a thundering knocking at the door.
"What is it ?" Dick shouted.
"Open the door, and be quick about it, or it will be worse for you.
We want that chap that's just ridden up, and we mean to have him, so he had best come out at once.