‘Everyone will be glad to hear you have been saved in such a strange and marvellous way. You will be heartily welcomed in Sydney when we return; and think of little Eva waiting and watching for you.’
‘The ship was lost,’ said Manton in a hollow voice, ‘and I am responsible. Did all on board perish with the exception of three?’
‘Yes,’ said Edgar; ‘but you were not to blame. Everyone praised your conduct, for I told them how you stood by your ship, and went down with her. Nothing could have saved her. You did all that man could do.’
Edgar was silent. He knew words would avail nothing.
Edgar related how his father received a letter, and his own determination to set out in quest of him in order to ascertain the truth.
‘And you did this for my sake?’ said Manton.
‘I must not take too much credit for that,’ said Edgar. ‘A love of adventure prompted me, and, although I hardly credited your being alive, yet I knew it was not impossible.’
‘And where am I, and how long have I been here?’ asked Manton wonderingly.
‘You are on the island of Tana, in the New Hebrides,’ said Edgar. ‘You were no doubt picked up by a schooner on its way to the South Seas from Sydney.’
‘It is all very strange,’ said Manton. ‘I must have been near to death when I was rescued from the sea.’
‘Your sufferings were so great that your mind became deranged,’ said Edgar. ‘With complete rest, and amongst your friends, you will speedily recover.’
Manton shook his head despondingly. He was in a melancholy mood, and his mind was not quite balanced. As Edgar looked at him his heart was full of pity for him, and he fervently hoped it would not be many weeks before Captain Manton was fully recovered both in mind and body.
When Meri and Wal Jessop reached the village the chief explained to his followers how the white men had recognised their friend, and the natives were excited at such an unlooked-for occurrence. A stretcher was quickly made of long poles and matting, and, accompanied by four stalwart natives, Wal Jessop and Meri returned to the Sing-Sing ground where they had left Edgar and Captain Manton. They carefully carried Manton to the village, and Wal Jessop went out to the schooner to obtain drugs from the medicine chest.