Dad Marston

Father Doyle

Dad Marston, a hardened criminal, resents Father Doyle's moral influence over his family.

Father Doyle

Dad Marston, a hardened criminal, resents Father Doyle's moral influence over his family.

Father Doyle

Dad Marston, a hardened criminal, resents Father Doyle's moral influence over his family.

Robbery Under Arms

Patriarch of the Marston family, whose influence and actions shape the brothers' descent into outlawry.

I

Dick's father, a former English poacher and convict, now a skilled bushman and hard worker.

II

Dick's father, a cattle duffer who forces his sons to brand stolen calves and assaults his wife.

IV

Leads the cattle theft, shows a grim determination and a rare laugh; driven by revenge against those who imprisoned him.

Terrible Hollow

Leads the operation with expert bushcraft, reveals the secret entrance to Terrible Hollow, and speaks with grudging admiration for Starlight.

VI

Stays at the Hollow to help Starlight; shows rare softness but remains hardened; clashes with Starlight over bringing his sons into crime.

VII

Mentioned in comparison to Aileen's determined expression and in Dick's thoughts about the past.

The Toss of a Coin

Dad Marston is deeply involved in the planning, having already set up a yard and squared a stockman for the big cattle theft.

XII

Warns the brothers to leave Adelaide quickly; shows concern about Starlight's reckless spending and socializing.

Homecoming and Family Tension

Provides news about Starlight's situation in New Zealand and advises the brothers to lie low.

XVI

Brings news of Starlight's arrest; advises his sons to flee to the Hollow immediately.

XX

Mentioned as providing fresh horses and intelligence to aid the escape.

Homecoming and Resolve

Leads the group home, uses the dog Crib for warning, and organizes the family's departure to the Hollow.

XXII

Leads the brothers into the Hollow; provides brandy and food; speaks cheerfully about their safe haven.

XXIII

Fiercely opposes surrender, vowing to fight to the death and condemning any talk of giving in.

XXIV

Assists by taking horses to the staging point ahead of the robbery.

XXV

Reluctantly votes to send Wharton's collection onward; keeps the cave orderly.

The Ballabri Bank Robbery

Assists in the robbery by driving the express wagon to carry away the loot; prefers staying in the Hollow over risky escape plans.

XXXV

Growls out words; knows about the other man involved in the plan and grins; organizes the drawing of lots for captain.

XXXVI

Busy with saddlery and packing; helps lead packhorses after the robbery.

XXXVII

Ventures out to get newspapers and letters, takes Dick to a remote hut, and recounts a story about a dog identifying a prisoner in court.

XXXVIII

Dismissive of the legal concept of outlawry, though secretly troubled by it.

Chapter XL

Ben Marston is wounded during the ambush by bounty hunters, but manages to escape into Black Gully.

XLI

Found wounded at the Hollow, raves in delirium, revealing past secrets and justifying his revenge killings.

XLII

Recovers from fever and wound, shows stubborn temper, and reminisces about his youth.

XLIII

Recovers from his wounds, bids Aileen farewell, and expresses regret for his past actions.

Chapter XLIV

Angry about Jim's departure; mollified by Starlight's story; struggles with illiteracy.

XLVIII

Reacts with laughter and disbelief to the stories; struggles to understand the newspaper language.

XLIX

Delivers a passionate outburst about his unjust treatment as a convict; forages for information.

LIII

Refuses to leave the Hollow; criticizes Starlight's financial decisions but ultimately stays behind.

LIV

Ben Marston; bids farewell to Dick at the Hollow, expresses premonition of his own death.