Twenty-two-year-old Jacob Tomkins is sentenced to seven years’ labour in the fledgling colony of Sydney Town, Australia. The voyage across the sea is arduous. He is travelling with mean, street-hardened criminals, some of whom would like to use him for their pleasure. Fortunately he meets Peter, who takes Jacob under his wing. Together they find moments of pleasure amid the drudgery of the voyage. They share their hopes and dreams, and finally declare their love for each other upon the eve of their arrival in Sydney Town -- a place where the currency is rum, distilled and controlled by the powerful military. But what will happen once they disembark? The chances of remaining together are slim. A lot can happen in seven years, especially when Jacob’s new master takes a liking to him. Is their love strong enough to survive the ravages of time? Can they survive the rigors of their sentences?

Across the Sea

He was a good way into the bush when he realised he’d better take more notice of where he was going. Towering trees, leafy shrubs, and feathery ferns surrounded him on every side. No matter which way he turned, there was little to distinguish one particular part of the bush from any other. It would be all too easy to get lost in the endless wilderness. Edward, back at the barracks in Sydney Town, had told them the bush stretched out from the coast forever in every direction. If he lost his way, who’d come looking for him? A convict of no importance?


He retraced his steps to the edge of the clearing and began his journey again, breaking branches and scratching ‘Xs’ into some of the trees he passed with a stick he’d found lying on the ground. Now there was no chance of him losing his way.


Chapter 27