"Yes, thank God, I have succeeded. This is my brother Edgar."
The officer shook hands warmly with Edgar, and even the men who had heard what was said raised a shout of welcome.
"I forgot; Skinner is in the rear," the officer said; and raising his voice shouted his name.
Skinner came running up. He had been wondering what the halt was for. Edgar and Rupert had dismounted by this time and ran forward to meet him. He stopped in surprise and then recognized Rupert, whom he had already seen in his present disguise.
"Clinton!" he exclaimed with a joyous shout; "is it really you? Thank God, you have got back again, and—and—"
"And this is Edgar," Rupert put in.
For a minute or two the three stood shaking each other's hands, too excited and joyous to speak, while the soldiers cheered lustily. The captain in command came up.
"Look here, Skinner; it would be too bad to take you away from your friends now, so I will take it upon myself to give you leave off duty. I will get Thomson to stay out until to-morrow morning in your place. He won't mind when I tell him why, and you can take his turn on duty on shore next time."
Talking excitedly together they entered the town, the Arabs following on their camels and Yussuf leading the two heiries.
"The first thing to do," Skinner said, "is to get you rigged out decently. I suppose it will be some time before you can get rid of your dye, but at any rate you can get dressed like Christians; and you can get rid of that fearful wig, Rupert. I will send off a boat to my ship with a note, and they will soon send you on shore a couple of suits of clothes. Mine would be of no use; you could not get into them. This is the only hotel in the place."