It was felt to be natural that the natives should resent the occupation of their hunting grounds; and although they were shot down without mercy in fair fight, or if overtaken while carrying off cattle, there was no active feeling of animosity against them; and they were generally kindly treated, when they called unarmed at the stations, and asked for food.
Against the bush rangers, on the other hand, a deadly hatred was felt by the colonists; and the fact that these were constantly aided, by the ticket-of-leave labourers, increased the hostility with which they were regarded.
Jim left his horse behind him, when he started with his party; saying that coming back at night, in the dark, he would rather be without it.

After their comrades had set out, those who remained behind posted two men as sentries; and then, as soon as they had cooked and eaten a meal, laid themselves down to sleep, until the time should come for their advance.
It was just midnight when Jim returned.

He reported that he had seen no blacks by the way, and that he believed he had posted his party without their being observed.

He himself, instead of returning by the same route that he had taken them, had come straight up the valley.
There were, he said, two huts which had been built by the bush rangers; and these were now occupied by them.

There were great fires blazing, and he thought that the natives had probably only arrived there that evening.