midday
In the mêlée the robbers had thrust lance or knife into several of the water-skins . Yet there was , it was held , provision enough . The caravan went on . At midday the Bedouins returned , reinforced . Zeyn al-Din and his mustered force beat them off . No loss of goods or life , but much of time ! The caravan went on , that with laden beasts must move at best much like a tortoise .