noon
Those with bows and arrows were placed upon the walls ; the rest were massed near the gate in readiness to advance to the assistance of the band within should the Egyptians make an attempt to cut their way out . In point of numbers Amuba 's forces were now superior to those of the Egyptians , but he was well aware that the superior arms and discipline of the latter would enable them to make a successful sortie should they determine to do so . The women of the town were ordered to set to work to grind the grain served out from the magazine in the palace , and to bake bread both for the fighting men present and for those expected to arrive . By noon the latter began to flock in , the contingents from the towns arriving in regular order , while the shepherds and villagers straggled in irregularly as the news reached them of the events of the previous night . By evening fully ten thousand men had arrived , and as the Egyptians had remained quiet all day Amuba had every hope that they had decided to accept the terms he offered , and that there would be no occasion for further fighting . The troops , however , remained under arms all night , ready to repel an attack , and in the morning Amuba and Jethro mounted together on to the terrace of the building from which the parley had taken place on the previous day . A few minutes later the Egyptian governor and a group of his officers appeared on the opposite house .