This is the story of two men that grew up with bitter enmity between them. Tom Randall was falsely accused by Richard Fitzsimonds and was sentenced to seven years transportation to Australia. Richard joins the army and is posted to various parts of the world. While he was on a posting in Australia he meets up with Tom and goads him into striking him. Tom is again sentenced and serves time in the hell hole of Norfolk Island. After his release, he is reunited with his childhood love and this heralds a time of prosperity for them.
Meanwhile, Richard is posted to India and serves in the Afghan wars. He is captured by the Mujahadeen but escapes. Having seen many atrocities his experiences bring on an unexpected change in him. Full of remorse he decides to leave the army to seek out Tom and beg his forgiveness.
After an unexpected meeting, Tom relents and forgives Richard and they become firm friends. Together with Tom's friends, William D'Arcy, Mike Smith and companions Alfred Bolitho and Peter Penhaligon, two Cornishmen they strike a huge lode of gold-bearing rock. They are all enormously rich and go their own ways, Tom and Mike buy into the company they work for, William stands for parliament and Richard leaves Australia with Alfred and Peter for America. After many adventures, and an unexpected tragedy he finally returns to Australia and sets up a winegrowing business on the outskirts of Melbourne.
