noon
He told them that in defiance of all probability he had escaped from his captivity in Egypt and had made his way back to his native land , intent not so much on claiming his rightful position there as of freeing them from the power of their oppressors . He promised them that he would always respect their rights and usages , and should endeavor to follow in the footsteps of his father . Then he retired to the palace , where he held a council with the captains and leading men in the city . Orders were at once issued for every man capable of bearing arms to provide himself with some kind of weapon , and to assemble at noon in the great square . Lists were drawn up of all the officers of the late army still living in the town , and when the gathering took place at noon these were appointed to form the men into companies , to appoint sub-officers , to see to the state of the arms , and , as far as possible , to supply deficiencies . A larger proportion than was expected of the three thousand men that assembled were found to be provided with weapons . Although nominally all arms had been surrendered to the Egyptians , great numbers of spear and arrow heads , swords , and axes had been buried .