The question, therefore, was whether they would return.

It was of no use his going to give the alarm, unless he could return before his escape was suspected; or they would have made off before he could get back again.
As for the Donalds, whose station was to be attacked, it gave him no concern whatever; for the Australian blacks had little or no regard for life, except those of people to whom they were attached.
It was Reuben's mission to capture the bush rangers and, had it been necessary, Jim would have remained quiet while a dozen families were slain, until he found an opportunity of bringing the police down upon them.
He listened now, intently, for any word which might afford an index to their intentions.

Presently the question he hoped for came.
"I suppose you will not come back here again, Tom ?" "No, I thinks it's getting too hot to hold us, in these parts.

We might ride back here, give our horses a rest, and load up with a few things we may want.

We can bring two or three spare horses from Donald's.