All the prisoners were sentenced to death, and there was a general feeling of satisfaction with the verdict.
Constable Doonan was soon afterwards promoted and raised to the rank of sergeant, and had charge of the district formerly under control of the unfortunate Machinson. All who took part in the fight and the extermination of the gang were eulogised for their bravery.
One lady was so enamoured of Dr Tom that she wrote and offered him her hand and fortune, which he respectfully declined.
Jim Dennis prospered during the next few years, and his son Willie was a great help to him.
A claimant to Cudgegong Station appeared in the person of a cousin of Rodney Shaw, and he made good his claim.
The new owner of Cudgegong, Chris Shaw, was a very different man to his cousin, and he soon became a firm friend of Jim Dennis's. He was not, however, enamoured of station life, as he had lived in Sydney, and one day he made a proposition to Jim that he should take over the management of Cudgegong.
'I mean to live in Sydney, Dennis,' he said. 'This life does not suit me, and I want to get back to my racing and town amusements. Will you take it in hand?'
'What about Ben Nix?' said Jim. 'I should not care to oust him out of his billet.'
'Ben is growing old,' said Chris Shaw, 'and he is quite willing to remain and leave the responsibility to you. He says you always got on well with him.'
'Very well,' said Jim; 'I will accept, and the terms you offer are quite good enough; in fact, generous.'