The opening of the novel introduces the main characters, including Joe, Sandy, and Tom, who eagerly discuss their plans for a daring nighttime escapade involving bushranging. Their excitement and imagination are palpable as they strategize their games, showing a blend of innocence and playful mischief typical of childhood. The setting is vividly described, painting a picture of their idyllic surroundings, which are steeped in the spirit of adventure and the risks of rural life. Boyhood camaraderie is established early on, hinting at a range of detailed exploits to come, inviting the reader into a world of youthful fantasies grounded in the Australian landscape. (This is an automatically generated summary.)