He had spoken in loud tones so that all might hear, and the start of surprise which he noticed in a rapid glance around the company at the name Rejeb convinced him that he was right.
"We have heard of Yusuf the boatman," said the leader, with a marked change of tone. "Are you indeed the man who saved Rejeb out of the hand of Halil's creatures?—the man whom our chief bade us hold in honour?"
"I am he. And that there be no delay, send a man upon this horse to your chief, telling him that Yusuf the boatman is here."
The leader ordered one of his men to ride off with the message, and the rest to resume their march.
"May not my hands now be unbound?" Burnet asked, as he set off with the rest.
"Nay, that is for our chief to order," replied the man. "What if you are some paltry horse-thief that has taken the name of Yusuf the boatman with some evil design? Your dress is rather that of a camel-driver than of a boatman."
"Truly your chief has faithful servants. So be it, then, until his eyes fall upon me."
Something less than an hour later, a small party of horsemen was seen in the distance, approaching at speed. One of them had a led horse. In a few minutes Rejeb rode up at the head of his men.
"Peace be with you!" he cried, springing from his horse, and coming towards Burnet with an eager light in his eyes. "This is a day of rejoicing. But what is this? Your hands are bound!"
"Your servant here kept me faithfully bound until assured that I am what I said I was."