He lingered fondly over the name, and Edgar said to Wal:
‘I believe if I relate all that took place he will remember. His sufferings have caused loss of memory, that is all.’
‘I hope so,’ said Wal; ‘it is pitiable to find him like this.’
Edgar then told him as briefly as possible all that took place at the wreck of the Distant Shore. As he described how Wal Jessop found himself and Eva on the rocks, and at great risk got them to the top of the cliffs, Manton’s eyes brightened, and he listened with intense interest.
‘Eva is now a beautiful little girl,’ said Edgar, ‘and she has been expecting to see you. We have always told her you would come back to her, and I am sure you will do so. You remember me now, do you not?’ said Edgar; ‘and also your good friend in Sydney, Wal Jessop?’
‘Ay, you’ll remember me, skipper,’ said Wal, in a hearty voice; ‘I’ve towed you safely into port many a time. Come, give me a grip of your hand, and say you know me.’
Manton looked, first at Edgar, and then at Wal Jessop. He was wrestling with the memories of the past that had so long been absent from him. Gradually they saw his memory was recovering its power. The mind was only clouded, and brighter days would chase the gloom away.
‘My God! can it be true?’ said Manton, as he gazed at them. ‘Am I dreaming, or am I mad? Can this be Edgar Foster, and my old mate, Wal Jessop? Where am I, and how did I come here?’
He was wrestling with his memory, and gradually drawing it back to life. With the return of reason he failed to comprehend what had happened to him, and why he was on this wild island in the New Hebrides.
‘True, true, true!’ he murmured; ‘they are indeed my friends!