Edgar Foster accompanied Wal Jessop to Sydney, in order to give evidence before the Marine¹ Board as to the cause of the disaster to the Distant Shore. He found he was the cynosure² of all eyes on the ferry-boat, for the morning papers had given a glowing account of his bravery in saving Eva.  
Wal Jessop felt proud of the fine lad by his side, who had so quickly recovered from his exertions³, and seemed to have almost forgotten the horrors of the wreck⁴ in looking at the beautiful scene he now saw for the first time.
 
As the ferry-boat left the landing-stage at Watson’s Bay, Wal Jessop pointed⁵ out the narrow passage through the Heads, and Edgar saw with wondering[84] eyes how near the ill-fated ship had been to the harbour of refuge.
 
‘If we could only have been driven through that passage instead of on to the rocks,’ said Edgar, ‘we might all have been alive now.’
 
‘It was a terrible thing to go down so near home,’ said Wal Jessop. ‘This is one of the best and safest harbours in the world.’
 
‘I have heard a good deal about it,’ said Edgar, smiling, ‘but I am not surprised at the enthusiastic way in which people praise its beauties. All I have heard or read gave me a very faint idea of the reality, which is far beyond any expectation I had formed.’
 
‘I’m glad to hear that,’ replied Wal Jessop. ‘People at times are apt to consider we “blow” too much about our harbour.’
 
‘Too much praise cannot be bestowed⁶ upon a scene like this,’ said Edgar.
 
When they arrived at Circular Quay⁷, Wal Jessop took his companion to the Marine Board offices, where he left him, and went to send a cablegram to Edgar’s father.
 
Edgar gave his account of the wreck in a manner that at once won the respect of Captain Fife and the members of the Board. He modestly put his own courageous⁸ conduct in the background, and spoke⁹ of Captain Manton in such a manner that it left no doubt upon the minds of his hearers that everything had been done that was possible to save the ship. Edgar’s description of the wreck and the bravery of Wal Jessop was given in a simple, straightforward¹⁰ style.
 
Captain Fife watched Edgar narrowly, and came to the conclusion he was a lad to be trusted, and also a lad who had received a good education. After the Board meeting he took Edgar into his private office, and asked him what he intended to do.
 
‘I hardly know at present,’ replied Edgar, ‘but I have no doubt I shall be able to obtain some kind of work until I can look round.’
 
‘Your name seems familiar to me,’ said Captain Fife.
 
‘Probably,’ said Edgar, smiling, ‘if you are a lover of cricket.’
 
Captain Fife jumped up from his chair, and said in astonishment¹¹:
 
‘Surely you are not the son of Robert Foster, who captained the last English eleven against our team at Lord’s?’
 
‘I am,’ said Edgar, ‘and proud of it.’
 
‘And well you may be, my lad,’ said Captain Fife. ‘The son of such a sterling¹², manly¹³ cricketer as Robert Foster will not lack friends in Australia. I suppose it is needless to ask if you play?’
 
‘I am very fond of the game,’ said Edgar, ‘and was captain of my school when I left.’
 
‘We must give you a trial here,’ said Captain Fife, ‘but in the meantime I must try and find you something to do.’ He thought for a few moments, and then said: ‘How would you like to go up country for a time? I have an interest in a station in the West, and I think you would enjoy the life. It is very quiet, but the change would in itself be a novelty to you.’
 
‘I should like it immensely,’ said Edgar; ‘I do not care much for a town life.’
 
‘I believe you lost everything in the wreck?’ said Captain Fife.
 
‘Yes,’ replied Edgar. ‘Wal Jessop has sent a cablegram to my father, stating I am safe, and also that I lost all, so I have no doubt he will send me out a draft by an early mail to cover expenses. I do not wish to draw upon my father continually, and I came out here to earn my living if possible.’
 
‘Glad to hear it,’ said Captain Fife. ‘We have too many young fellows out here who live upon money sent them from home. It is a mistaken kindness, as it causes them to rely upon others instead of themselves, and self-reliance a man must have to get on in this world.’
 
Edgar was much impressed with what Captain Fife said, and knew it was sound advice he gave.
 
‘My father always taught me to hold my own,’ said Edgar, ‘and to do what is right. Of course I got into scrapes sometimes at school, but I never shirked the consequences. I fought a lad called Bully¹⁴ Rakes, and beat him, the first week I was at Redbank. I was in the right, and therefore I felt confident of success, although he was a much stronger lad.’
 
‘So you can box as well as play cricket,’ said Captain Fife, smiling; ‘you’ll get on all right here, I can see. Can you ride well?’
 
‘Fairly well,’ said Edgar. ‘I followed the hounds during the holidays when I had an opportunity. I should like to have a chance in the cricket-field here.’
 
‘So you shall,’ said Captain Fife. ‘I will take care your going up country does not injure your prospects¹⁵ in that line. We have a very good team on the station, and you will have plenty of practice to keep your hand in. Some of our best men have been drawn¹⁶ from up country.’
 
It was decided¹⁷ that Edgar, after a week’s stay in Sydney with Wal Jessop, should go up to Yanda, and try how the life suited him.
 
‘I will advance you enough money to keep you going,’ said Captain Fife, ‘and you can repay me when you have “knocked up a cheque,” as we say here.’
 
Edgar left Captain Fife’s office feeling he had been most fortunate. His heart was heavy when he thought of the Distant Shore and those on board who had lost their lives. He could hardly realize, as he walked the streets of Sydney, how near he had been to d............