Jonathan is sentenced to six months jail for writing a letter to the Governor exposing the corruption of the overseers after he refuses to do as the new "government" orders.
Crops are bad at Jonathan's farm and the military want to take advantage of this and buy the crops off his farm. Jonathan finally has no choice but to sell. Later he finds out the payment is only given out in rum.
Mary now a convicted criminal, boards the convict ship 'Britania' for the arduous voyage to Sydney. On board she meets Polly, the boss of the female prisoners and Greville, sinister officer of the NSW Corp
Mary and Polly survive the sea voyage and are assigned on their arrival in Sydney. Capt Greville still smarting at Mary's rebuke sets out to make her life as difficult as possible
In 1796 Ireland, the Mulvanes are oppressed by British laws and taxes. Daughter Mary seeks to rescue the family's impounded cow with the aid of beau, Michael Connor. Connor is killed. Mary's sentenced to be transported for 7 years.
Time passes in the colony. Jonathon begins to have genuine feelings for Mary, thinking of the future he learns to read and write. Greville expands his empire and is prepared to eliminate anyone how gets in his way