This book starts with a duel at Trinity College Dublin, and continues with a meeting between student Henry Fulton's meeting with revolutionary Wolfe Tone. Henry joined Wolfe Tone's United Irishmen. Tone's ideals included an Irish republic, free of religious intolerance. Henry, a Protestant, was curate in Silvermines, and vicar of Nenagh Co Tipperay. He spied for the United Irishmen, carried messages and swore in new members. He was chased by the Yeomanry from Nenagh to Newport, caught and imprisoned in Limerick. After two years, he, his wife and two children were transported to Botany Bay and later to Norfolk Island, where they spent 5 years. Both children died.

They returned to Sydney, where the Governor was Captain Bligh. Bligh befriended the Fultons, but the Rum Mutiny saw Bligh imprisoned. Henry Fulton sided with Bligh and was sent to England to the mutineers' trial, where his evidence saw Bligh reinstated but replaced as governor. Henry returned to a happy life in Australia. He and Anne had five children and Henry founded a school. He has many descendants there.