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

The very next day, as he was fetching some wood, Thomas came out to greet him, smiling for the first time ever. It wasn’t a friendly, happy smile. That would be too much to hope for. It was a devious, cruel smile, and Jacob knew exactly why Thomas was wearing it.


He continued loading his arms with wood, while Thomas stood, leaning on the stable wall, wearing a self-satisfied smirk.


“Would you like some help with something, Thomas?”


Thomas grinned. “I don’t need your sort of help, Jacob. Not the sort you and the master in there get up to.”


“And what sort of help is that?” Jacob asked.


“You know bleedin’ well what I’m talkin’ about.”


Jacob dropped his load of wood and stood up to face Thomas. “No, I don’t know. Perhaps you’d best tell me.”


Thomas pushed away from the wall and took a step towards Jacob.


“I know what I seen the other mornin’. You in bed with the master.”


Jacob shrugged. “What are you talking about?”


Chapter 38