# Captain Starlight — Robbery Under Arms character guide > Captain Starlight in Robbery Under Arms by Rolf Boldrewood. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Starlight, Captain **First appearance:** 0001-robbery-under-arms ## Snapshot A gentlemanly bushranger who can pass for a swell in any hotel, Captain Starlight leads the gang with charm, nerve, and a fatal taste for the front of the crowd. ## Who they are Starlight commands the Marstons' gang, a polished man whose manners and education set him apart from the rough hands he rides with. He blames a refused army commission for the vanity of leadership that ruined him, and his flashness in fine company is exactly what old Marston warns will hang them. His capture and the loyalty of his henchman Warrigal drive the story's later turns. ## In the story ### [Terrible Hollow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as the educated mastermind behind the cattle-duffing operation and the design of the hidden paddock and brand-altering system. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/vi) Arrives wounded at the Hollow; shows leadership and gives the Marston boys earnest advice to avoid his fate. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/viii) Implied to have written the letter from Dick's father; sends money from criminal activities. ### [The Toss of a Coin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xi) Starlight is the mastermind behind the planned cattle raid, described as an astonishing man with a global past and a commanding presence. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xii) Orchestrates the cattle sale with a lavish lunch and auction, maintaining his gentlemanly disguise despite the danger. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xiii) Mentioned as a known suspect; warrants are out for him as well. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xvii) Arrested and brought to court, remains cheerful and devil-may-care. ### [The Trial and Sentencing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xviii) Sentenced to seven years; remains composed and philosophical, discussing his seared heart. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xix) Starlight is imprisoned alongside Dick, remains calm and confident about the escape plan, and rides away on Rainbow. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xx) Charms the Barnes girls with promises of gifts, including Rainbow to Maddie and a watch to Bella; rides with the group. ### [Homecoming and Resolve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxi) Declares his intention to live a short, merry life and make his name famous; collapses from weakness after the ride; shows respect toward Aileen. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxiii) Weak but resolute; tells the story of the hermit and advocates for a decision on surrender. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxiv) Leads the gang, reads the newspaper report, plans the next move, and expresses regret about their outlaw life. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxv) Reads Wharton's letters and journal entries; advocates for honoring the dead man's wishes. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxvi) Discussed as planning to send gold to England, praised by Aileen for his noble character. ### [The Ballabri Bank Robbery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxvii) Leads the bank robbery with boldness and cunning; proposes the audacious plan to steal a ship and sail to a foreign port. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxviii) Warns Ben against involving outsiders; later socializes at Jonathan's, sings, and charms the company. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxix) Meets secretly with the Marstons; dines at the Commissioner's and narrowly avoids recognition by Sergeant Goring. ### [Jim's Marriage and the New Inspector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxx) Mentioned as trying to dissuade Jim from marrying, fearing it would complicate their outlaw situation. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxiv) Returns to the Hollow after escaping the police raid; recounts his departure from the diggings and his farewell to Clifford and Hastings. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxv) Restless and cranky; reflects on his past and the vanity of leadership; elected captain of the gang for the gold escort robbery. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxvi) Leads the gang, rides Rainbow, and is cheerful and stern as captain. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxvii) Argues against foolhardy escapes, predicts a long confinement in the Hollow, and helps decide to bury the gold. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxviii) Leader of the gang; comments on the cowardice of some settlers and the legal implications of outlawry. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxix) Leads the group to Darjallook; politely apologizes to Mrs. Whitman for Moran's behavior; bows gallantly to Miss Falkland. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xl) Starlight leads the gang back to the Hollow and organizes the search for Ben Marston after learning of the attack. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xli) Leads the gang back to the Hollow, tends to Dad Marston's wounds, and reflects on the brutality of the killings. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xlii) Welcomes Aileen to the Hollow, administers opiate to father, and shows both melancholy and charm. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xliii) Rides with Aileen, shares plans for a future together abroad, and participates in the farewell. ### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xliv) Defuses the argument with Dad Marston, praises Jim's getaway, and tells a story about Joe Moreton. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xlvi) Disguises himself as a wealthy English gentleman named Lascelles; befriends the Dawson brothers and wins at the races. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xlvii) Disguised as Lieutenant Lascelles, he attends the ball and wedding, dances with Maddie Barnes, secretly meets Aileen, and gifts a diamond ring to the bride. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xlviii) Reads the newspaper articles aloud; reflects grimly on his fate; is the subject of the media's dramatic coverage. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xlix) Reads the newspaper article; leads the raid on Knightley's house; shows chivalrous behavior toward Mrs. Knightley. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/l) Proposes accepting Knightley's offer, defuses the situation by arming Knightley and threatening Moran. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/li) Accepts Mr. Knightley's horse and later laments being unable to lead an honest life. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/lii) Part of the escape plan; discussed by Aileen with admiration. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/liii) Arranges gold sale, pays debts, and plans escape route to Cunnamulla; bids farewell to Dick. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/liv) Departs from the Hollow ahead of Dick, riding off with Warrigal. ### [The Condemned Cell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/lv) Fellow bushranger, killed in the same encounter; his head rests in Warrigal's lap. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/lvii) Mentioned as having worked at the diggings and as being gone; his death is referenced indirectly. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/starlight - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters