# Jim Marston — Robbery Under Arms character guide > Jim Marston in Robbery Under Arms by Rolf Boldrewood. **Role:** major **Also known as:** James Marston, Poor Jim, old Jim **First appearance:** 0001-robbery-under-arms ## Snapshot Once the gang's sunniest rider, Jim Marston now sits smoking alone, his old laughter curdled into a silence that frightens his own brother. ## Who they are Jim is Dick Marston's younger brother, raised into the family trade of cattle-duffing and now riding with Starlight's gang. Where he was once careless and full of monkey tricks, the outlaw life has turned him brooding and withdrawn, brightening only for a letter from his wife Jeanie. His decline shadows the gang's middle chapters, a living warning of what the road is doing to them all. ## Relationships ### [Aileen Marston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/aileen_marston) _family_ Aileen is Jim's devoted sister, deeply protective and morally conflicted about his criminal life. ### [Jeanie Morrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/jeanie_morrison) _romantic_ Jeanie is Jim's sweetheart, representing a hope for redemption and a normal life away from crime. ### [Father Doyle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/father_doyle) _psychological_ Father Doyle acts as Jim's moral conscience and spiritual advisor, persistently trying to reform him. ### [Warrigal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/warrigal) _professional_ Warrigal is Starlight's half-Aboriginal tracker and servant, with whom Jim shares a wary but functional working relationship. ### [Falkland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/falkland) _rivalry_ Falkland is the relentless police inspector hunting Jim and the gang, embodying the law's pursuit of justice. ### [Maddie Barnes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/maddie_barnes) _romantic_ Maddie is a former love interest of Jim, representing a simpler, honest life he left behind. ### [Mother Marston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/mother_marston) _family_ Jim feels deep guilt and love for his mother, who grieves over his criminal path. ### [Dick Marston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/dick_marston) _family_ Dick is Jim's older brother, a hardened criminal who drags Jim deeper into lawlessness. ### [Billy the Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/billy_the_boy) _professional_ Billy is a young, loyal gang member who looks up to Jim as a mentor and leader. ### [Dick Marston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/dick_marston) _family_ Dick is Jim's older brother, a hardened criminal who drags Jim deeper into lawlessness. ### [Warrigal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/warrigal) _professional_ Warrigal is Starlight's half-Aboriginal tracker and servant, with whom Jim shares a wary but functional working relationship. ### [Aileen Marston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/aileen_marston) _family_ Aileen is Jim's devoted sister, deeply protective and morally conflicted about his criminal life. ## In the story ### [Robbery Under Arms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/robbery-under-arms) Narrator and central figure, reflecting on his family's life and his own path into crime. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/i) Dick's younger brother, part of the childhood scenes on the farm. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/ii) Dick's brother, who also attends school and helps with branding stolen calves. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/iii) Dick's brother; mentioned as likely to follow Dick's lead, causing Aileen's concern. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/iv) Reluctantly joins the cattle duffing, expresses hunger and concern about the calves' branding. ### [Terrible Hollow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/v) Reluctantly participates in the cattle drive, expresses moral discomfort with the 'cross doings,' and refuses rum in keeping with a promise to his mother. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/vi) Accompanies Dick to the Hollow, helps with chores, receives Starlight's advice to leave the outlaw life. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/vii) Works steadily on the farm, is cheerful and easygoing, and shares a close bond with Aileen and their mother. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/viii) Dick's brother; described as handsome, strong, and a superb rider; Mr. Falkland's favorite; reluctantly drawn into card playing. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/ix) Sustains a deep cut to his wrist from shears; is tenderly bandaged by Miss Falkland and keeps the handkerchief strips as a keepsake. ### [The Rescue and Its Aftermath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/x) Refuses reward for saving Miss Falkland; works hard on bush contracts; expresses anxiety about their criminal past and Warrigal's presence. ### [The Toss of a Coin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xi) Jim is cautious and prefers to stick to honest work, but ultimately agrees to the coin toss that decides their fate. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xii) Experiences the sea for the first time and expresses wonder and apprehension about leaving the bush. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xiii) Dick's brother; engaged to Jeanie Morrison, deeply affected by the forced departure. ### [Homecoming and Family Tension](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xiv) Returns home with Dick, tries to cheer Aileen with humor, shows affection for family. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xv) Visits George's farm with Dick; lies about Melbourne trip to protect their secret; expresses despair about their outlaw life and fear of Kate Morrison's influence. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xvi) Also under threat of arrest; insists on keeping his promise to stay for Christmas despite the risk. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xvii) Fugitive, being hunted by police; Dick worries about him. ### [The Trial and Sentencing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xviii) Mentioned as having evaded capture, prompting speculation about his whereabouts. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xix) Jim orchestrates the escape, meeting Dick and Starlight outside the gaol with horses. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xx) Leads the escape, retrieves a horse from a hut, and navigates by the stars to avoid police. ### [Homecoming and Resolve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxi) Present at the homecoming, listens to Starlight's plans, and prepares to head to the Hollow. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxii) Comforts Dick after the letter; expresses deep longing to return to Jeanie but feels trapped by his criminal record. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxiii) Torn between family loyalty and the desire to spare his mother and sister further shame. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxiv) Dick's brother; shares regret about missing the gold rush opportunities. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxv) Returns from a successful hunting trip, content and pleased; helps dig up Wharton's buried box. ### [The Ballabri Bank Robbery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxvii) Participates in the Ballabri bank robbery alongside Dick and Starlight; shares the desire to escape the colony. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxviii) Working the gold claim with Dick, enjoying the diggings life, and later socializing at the inn. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxix) Works on the goldfields, plans to marry Jeanie, and hopes to escape with Starlight. ### [Jim's Marriage and the New Inspector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxx) Marries Jeanie Morrison after buying a cottage; determined to go straight and leave his outlaw past behind. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxi) Living happily with Jeanie in Specimen Gully, working steadily and avoiding town except with his wife. ### [The Betrayal of Kate Morrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxii) Dick's brother; is woken by Dick to be warned of danger, expresses despair at leaving his wife Jeanie, and struggles with the prospect of returning to the bush. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxiii) Rescued from police custody; distraught over separation from Jeanie. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxiv) Mentioned as having been captured at his cottage but later escaped during a police escort; his marriage and mining life are noted in the newspaper article. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxv) Deeply changed, melancholy, and withdrawn; only brightens when receiving a letter from Jeanie. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxvi) Rides ahead with Dick and Starlight; takes interest in his horse after it improves. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxvii) Desperate to escape the Hollow to reach Jeanie, but Starlight convinces him it's impossible. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxix) Subdues Moran at Darjallook; gives Miss Falkland Jeanie's address in Melbourne; remains stoic and devoted to his wife. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xl) Jim is present during the gang's return to the Hollow and participates in the search for his father after the ambush. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xli) Helps carry Dad Marston and expresses moral revulsion at the cold-blooded shootings. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xlii) Observes Aileen's growing attachment to Starlight with resignation. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xliii) Agrees to the escape plan to see his wife Jeanie, shaves his beard, and prepares to impersonate Joe Moreton. ### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xliv) Mentioned as having escaped to Melbourne with the old gentleman. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xlviii) Narrates the chapter; describes bringing Rainbow home and recounting the race events to Dad. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/l) Narrates the chapter, sides with Starlight against Moran, refuses his share of the ransom. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/liii) Planned to travel via Murray River boat and Darling to Bourke, then to Queensland; Jeanie to relay messages. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/liv) Dick's brother; exposed alongside Dick, reunites with Dick after the incident, anxious about meeting Jeanie again. ### [The Condemned Cell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/lv) Dick's brother, killed in the final confrontation; his body is mourned. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/lvi) Deceased; Aileen speaks of his son and Jeanie's grief; his memory haunts Dick. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/lvii) Mentioned as having worked with Dick at the Turon diggings and as being gone. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/jim_marston - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters