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?