sent off returned with two suits of clothes sent ashore by the officers
of his ship, and having attired themselves in these they went with
Skinner to the political officer. When he understood who they were he
received them with much warmth.

"I have had letters from Captain Clinton," he said, "respecting you;
saying that it was possible that you might turn up here, and requesting
me to assist you in getting any bills you might draw on him cashed. I
will go with you to the principal merchant here. No doubt he will do it,
but if not I can manage the affair with one of the ships' paymasters."

The merchant, however, was perfectly willing to honour their draft upon
their father for a thousand pounds upon the statement of the officer
that he would himself guarantee its payment, and he told them that his
servants should bring the money in silver to the hotel. Four hundred
pounds was the amount that Ben Ibyn had been promised on delivering
Rupert in safety at one of the ports, and an equal sum was to be given
to El Bakhat. This left them two hundred pounds for getting to England,
for Edgar had learned that his regiment had a month previously sailed
for India, and he considered that under the circumstances he was
perfectly justified in reporting himself at the depot at home.

The sheiks on their arrival at the hotel received with great
satisfaction the bags of money containing the stipulated amount. To
these were added a brace of revolvers each, being the two Rupert had
carried and two they had purchased in Suakim, together with ten boxes of
ammunition. Edgar also gave to El Bakhat a set of jewellery and several
silk scarves for Amina.

"Now, sheik," he said, "I should like to purchase the freedom of Yussuf.
What do you value him at?"

"I will give him to you," the sheik said. "You have treated me well and
honourably."

"No, I will not have that, sheik; he is your property, and is a very
useful slave. I will give you two hundred dollars for him."

"It is well," El Bakhat said; "he is yours."

"Now," Rupert said, "there are the two heiries; they are yours by right,
Ben Ibyn, but I would fain give one to El Bakhat. I will give you three
hundred dollars to forego your claim to it. I know the beast is worth
more; but if you possess one of them it will suffice for your needs, and
you will oblige me if you will part with the other."

"I can refuse my lord nothing," Ben Ibyn said, "and the possession of
two such heiries mi