The girl groaned as the missiles fell into the howdah upon the helpless shape of Costobarus, who did not lift a hand to fend off the stones.

The pagan, bruised and raging, drew his weapon and spurred his horse to ride down his assailants, but they scattered before him and from safe refuge continued their assault with redoubled determination.
Momus, seeing only injury in attempting to enforce hospitality, turned his camel and, swinging around the outermost limits of the settlement, fled.

Aquila followed him, and a moment later the rest of the party joined them.
Without the range of the village, the party halted.

Momus and Aquila lifted Costobarus down and laid him on a rug that Laodice had spread for him.

But when she would have knelt by him, he motioned to Aquila not to permit her to approach.