manner to that described in the book. The factual events
that contributed to the story took place in the late 1860's and
other periods; but Boldrewood set his story in the 1850's. The name
"Starlight" is also used in Adam Lindsay Gordon's famous poem, "The Sick
Stockrider".

"Warrigal", the name of the half-caste character, is also an Australian
term for the Dingo, or native dog.

A couple other famous highwaymen are alluded to in the story.

Dick Turpin, who is mentioned twice, was an English
highwayman, 1706-39. There is apparently a legendary ride
from London to York that is popularly attributed to him, the
idea being that he established an alibi by covering the
distance so swiftly after a robbery.

Claude Duval was famous for being gallant to women. Born in
France, he came to England with the Duke of Richmond about
1660 (the Restoration), and turned out shortly afterwards.

Terms:
-----

There are a number of Australian terms in the text, which may not be
listed in non-Australian dictionaries--even unabridged ones. Here are a
few:

bail up: To stick up. According to Boldrewood, from the term used with
cows, where "bail up" means to secure a cow's head in a bail, a type of
frame, before milking.

bunyip: (pronounced bun-yup) A large mythological creature, said by the
Aborigines to inhabit watery places. There may be some relation to an
actual creature that is now extinct.

dinkum: Now means honest or genuine, but used by Boldrewood in its
obsolete sense, work, or an amount of work. (In fact, one major
Australian dictionary quotes this very book for an example of this
obsolete sense.)

forester: The eastern gray kangaroo.

gin: An Aboriginal woman--from an aboriginal word for "woman" or "wife".
(Considered derogatory in current usage.)

jerran: Afraid. From an aboriginal language. Now obsolete.

mallee scrubber: "Mallee", a variety of Eucalyptus, or a remote, wild
area (like "bush"); "Scrubber", a farm animal that has gone wild; hence,
"mallee scrubber", a wild farm animal in this environment.

shout: To buy drinks for a group, or the act of buying drinks.

store cattle: Cattle that are not ready for market, but need to be
fattened first. Hence, they are "in store" for future use, or for use as
stock.

skillion: A lean-to or outbuilding.

turkey: Probably Eupodotis (Otis) australis, the Australian Bustar