When the blacks, more than a hundred in number, saw Jim Dennis and Constable Doonan riding towards them, they halted, not being sure as to who they were.
King Charlie, however, recognised them, and went forward to meet them.
'How came you here?' asked Jim.
'Sal said you were on the war-path. I heard of the attack on your house and went to see if she was safe,' said Charlie.
'And you thought you would come on here and help us?'
'Yes.'
'And so you shall. We will give you plenty of work. Are your fellows armed?' said Jim.
'We have spears and boomerangs, and nullah nullahs and stone hatchets,' said Charlie.
'I think they will come in handy at close quarters,' said Jim with a smile. 'We shall have no occasion to fire them out. We can capture the lot alive.' Then, looking at Charlie, he said,—
'Listen to me. When you hear shots fired rush through the bush and attack the rear of the houses. We shall be in front, and they will not suspect any assault at the back. Creep close up, and hide in the bushes until you hear the signal. There are a lot of blacks over there to the right, and they will probably join you when the fight commences.'