Charles - 1818
While watching men at work on their family's land, John stamps on Charles' foot and the latter retaliates. Their father Mr Owen sees and sends them to the farmhand Sam as assistants. John tries to avoid having to work by claiming that his foot hurts, but Mr Owen isn't convinced.
Charles tries his best to put up with his brother's complaints as they help carry wood. John impatiently gives up and proclaims how much he hates the sort of work they are doing. Charles admits that he likes it and hopes to become a farmer when he grows up. John reminds him that since he is older, he will inherit the family farm while Charles will have to go back to England and make his own living.
Charles hears a voice call out quietly to him while he pushes a piece of wood into the ground to form part of a fence. He turns to see a young man hiding behind some rocks and carefully approaches. The young man does the same and introduces himself as Liam, before asking for food and boots. Charles feels uncomfortable when he lays eyes on Liam's bloodied feet and looks away. As soon as he looks back however, the mysterious young man has vanished.
He asks Sam later on whether the latter had ever considered running away when he was a convict. Sam replies that even if he had done so, he wouldn't have survived very long out in the wild. Charles eats with the other workers when they stop for lunch, and he tucks some leftover bread into his pockets.
He meets John some time after leaving the work site and John challenges him to a mock boxing match. Charles instinctively punches his brother in the face and John tells him that he cheated.
Charles comes across Liam while walking alone in the bush and notices that the convict is cowering away from what appears to be a snake. Charles realizes it is just some newly shed skin and reassures Liam before giving him bread. Liam asks about the boots and Charles promises to find a pair if he will help finish the fence.
Liam agrees and tells Charles about his past while they put in the final posts. Charles learns that Liam was wrongly accused of theft as a child and shipped to Australia as punishment. Liam expresses his desire to one day go over the mountains and start a new life in freedom.
Liam sneaks into a shed despite Charles' warnings and chooses a pair of boots. Sarah's voice startles them and Charles urges Liam to leave before there is trouble. Liam refuses, claiming there can't be much harm in staying to have supper.
Mrs Owen notices that John's eye is bruised during dinner time and Charles admits that he hit his brother by mistake. Their mother reminds them that they will have to learn to get along before they leave for England.
Charles proudly tells his father that he finished the fence and John grows suspicious. Mrs Owen voices her concern that Charles is spending too much time with the workers and Mr Owen quickly defends them. Determined to have the final word however, Mrs Owen forbids Charles him doing any more farm work. John excitedly asks his mother if he can be 'punished' as well.
Charles delivers supper to Liam late at night and firmly tells the convict to leave before going back to bed. He gets woken up soon after and looks out the window to see Liam stealing a watch and chest. He orders Liam to return the watch, but the convict responds by running off into the night. Charles gives chase and corners Liam in the storehouse.
He once again tells Liam to leave his family's property, but is shocked when he sees that John is also inside with them. Liam lies that he is merely a visitor, though John isn't fooled and threatens to tell his parents.
John clumsily attempts to take Liam down by boxing and the convict realizes that the boy is actually drunk.
A rooster crows the next morning and Charles remembers that Sam and Sarah's wedding is about to take place. He glances at a still sleeping John while Liam finally decides it is time to leave.
Charles offers to create a distraction while Liam disguises himself to avoid being noticed. Sarah is surprised when Charles approaches her to ask about Sam's trousers, but she nevertheless replies that her husband-to-be has only two pairs.
Mrs Owen spots her son while he stops by the house and asks him where John is. Charles pretends that he doesn't know and his mother requests his assistance in preparing for the wedding. While his mother is busy providing Sarah with a shawl to wear, Charles slips his father's watch into a coat pocket and innocently turns back.
After seeing Sarah's manners, Mrs Owen explains to Charles how a true lady should speak and act, before running outside to do one last thing. With his mother absent, Charles grabs her hat and one of her dresses.
Liam is reluctant to put on women's clothing, but changes his mind when he finds out their are soldiers patrolling about. As Charles shows Liam the way off the farm, the convict hears the wedding music and decides he wants to attend for a short while.
Mrs Owen notices Charles and Liam as they squeeze through the crowd. Strangely enough, she seems to be fooled by Liam's disguise and offers him a handkerchief to wipe his face with.
Charles notices that the chaplain is looking at them strangely and he pretends to dance with Liam so as to reduce suspicion.
Things seem to take a turn for the worse when John unexpectedly shows up and tells everyone the truth of what he saw and heard. Charles is relieved when Mr Owen smells rum and dismisses John's words as just drunken ramblings.
Liam prepares to leave the wedding as it finishes and Charles realizes that he now sees the convict as a friend. The chaplain stops Liam just as he is about to go and fondly compares the latter to a sister he has.
Liam agrees to the chaplain's offer to be taken over the Blue Mountains by carriage. Charles smiles as he watches them go before Sarah walks by to give him one of the last pieces of cake.
Mr Owen congratulates Charles upon inspecting the fence that afternoon and leaves feeling proud.
Once he is alone, Charles looks up at the outline of the mountains and wonders how Liam is faring. He comforts himself with the thought that one day he too will be free to live his life the way he wishes.
