But I was not born to be a bushranger either.

I failed at the very first attempt.

I was outwitted by my first victim, a thin old gentleman riding a cob at night on the Geelong road.
"'Why rob me ?' said he.

'I have only ten pounds in my pocket, and the punishment will be the same as though it were ten thousand.' "'I want your cob,' said I (for I was on foot); 'I'm a starving Jack, and as I can't get a ship I'm going to take to the bush.' "He shrugged his shoulders.
"'To starve there ?' said he.

'My friend, it is a poor sport, this bushranging.