An ‘Irish-born, London-bred’ ex-con from the notorious island convict colony of Van Diemen’s Land is hired at the 1839 new year convict muster in Geelong to be shepherd on a station at the frontier of white settlement expansion into what was then known as the Portland Bay District. He soon learns that the rules agreed among the self-appointed British laird settlers include giving guns to their assignees to clear away the Australians. On station are squatter and wife, an overseer and his manservant, three other shepherds on an outstation run, all of whom have also crossed over Bass Strait. Wife has a black housemaid who speaks English; she is the most prized hand on station, BrownJudy, a London-flash name given her by the ex-con. In conversations in his hut after dinner she tells about the creeds and customs of the people he is being paid to murder …