Wal Jessop handed him a gun, and Edgar fired it at the canoe. The shot told, and one or two of the natives were hit, but not severely. This had the desired effect, and, seeing pursuit was both hopeless and dangerous, the chief ordered them to paddle back to the island.
The travellers were all glad to get safely away from Tana, and decided to sail direct to Sydney, as there was an ample supply of food on board. Captain Manton seemed to recover every day at sea, and both Edgar and Wal Jessop did all in their power to cheer him and make him forget what he had suffered.
The voyage back to Sydney was uneventful, and the little schooner entered the Heads sooner than was expected, and cast anchor in Watson’s Bay.
Captain Manton, as they neared the Heads, had looked long at the fatal rocks where the Distant Shore went to pieces, and the tears stood in his eyes as he thought of that awful night.
When they were in the smooth waters of the harbour, and snugly at anchor in Watson’s Bay, his spirits revived at the prospect of meeting his daughter again.
He wondered if she would know him, for he was much altered, and she was a little child when last he saw her on that fatal night.
‘I am sure she will recognise you,’ said Edgar; ‘you look much more like your old self now. When we found you at Tana you were a different man.’
They landed at the jetty, and walked up to Wal Jessop’s cottage.
‘We shall give them a surprise,’ said Edgar.
‘A pleasant one,’ said Wal.