When William Molloy graduates from Harrow in the summer of 1829, he has plans to go to Oxford in the autumn to continue his studies. He is also looking forward to spending time with his father, Jack Molloy. Jack is a captain in the army, one who distinguished himself in the Peninsula Wars under the Duke of Wellington and lately has been serving in Ireland. Jack surprises his son by announcing that he is not only retiring from the services and taking a wife but intends to set sail almost immediately and take up land in the Swan River Colony of Western Australia.
William is in a quandary. Should he stay or should he go? Does he really want to forfeit an easy life at university with his friends to support his father and join him as a new settler in a distant land?
