to their full speed, and in four hours the
sea shining in the bright moonlight lay before them. Crossing a shallow
lagoon they were upon the sandy beach.

The pace of the camels was now slackened, as it was useless to arrive at
Suakim before daybreak, as they would have been liable to be shot by the
sentries in the forts if they approached in the darkness. When day broke
Edgar and Rupert gave a shout of joy, for three or four miles away could
be seen the masts of shipping. Again the camels broke into a trot, and
in half an hour they approached the forts raised to defend the town on
the land side from the attacks by Osman Digma's followers. No questions
were asked them, for natives belonging to friendly tribes frequently
entered or left the town.

As they crossed the ground between the forts and the town they saw a
party of marines marching out to relieve those who had occupied the fort
at night. They reined in their camels, and Rupert addressed the officer
marching at the head of the party.

"Can you tell me, sir, if Lieutenant Skinner is at Suakim at present?"

The officer was astounded at being thus addressed in pure English by a
wild-looking native, and the men following him were no less astonished.

"Is it possible," the officer exclaimed, "that you are Mr. Clinton?"

"That is my name," Rupert replied.

The officer advanced and grasped his hand warmly. "I am glad indeed to
see you," he said; "Skinner is my subaltern, and has often spoken to me
of what he considered your hopeless journey to try to find your brother,
and said that if you did get through it alive you were as likely as not
to turn up here. I congratulate you indeed. Have you been successful?"
and he looked doubtfully at Rupert's companions.

"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 sha