Good deeds make themselves known and felt the wide world over, and their influence can make men better even in a wilderness.
Yacka was pleased at the reception given to Edgar, and his black face was all smiling.
‘That blackfellow’s uncommon fond of you, I reckon?’ said Walter Hepburn.
‘He is,’ said Edgar. ‘Yacka planned this expedition for us, and we are in search of adventures, and want to see the country.’
That night Edgar and Will enjoyed a hearty supper with their newly-made acquaintances; and Edgar had to relate how he was rescued, and how he saved Eva from the wreck of the Distant Shore.
When Edgar mentioned to Walter Hepburn that they were going far beyond the Ranges with Yacka, he looked serious.
‘If you’ll take my advice, you will make for Adelaide from Alice Springs. It is over a thousand miles from there to Adelaide. If you go on north, to Port Darwin, that is over nine hundred miles. Where does Yacka, as you call him, want to take you on the other side of the Ranges?’
‘That is his secret,’ said Edgar, ‘and I cannot tell you what he has told me. Before we started from Yanda I meant to go through with this business, and I’ll do it if I live.’
‘I admire your pluck,’ said Walter Hepburn; ‘but what is the use of risking your life when there is no object to be gained?’