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

“It’s hard to believe,” he said. “I should feel different…but I don’t. Feel the same as I always have.”


“You’re not free, yet,” Jasper reminded him. “Perhaps when you have the certificate in your hand, you’ll feel differently. Now go and help Paddy unload the wagon.”


He smacked Jacob playfully on the backside.


There were a good many supplies. Since the new government had taken over, things were fairer and Jasper could get a good price for his fruit and therefore buy more of the things he needed, including kitchen supplies such as sacks of flour and sugar, but also feed for the horses, saddle polish, and wood for building.


“The master’s going to use the seeds from some of the fruit to plant the land on the other side of the house,” Paddy explained.


Many times he’d crossed the cleared land on the way to the river and wondered when it was going to be used. It seemed the time had arrived, although it would be years before it became profitable.


Chapter 40