nse had already
largely increased when Amuba reached the walls. Although the Egyptian
chariots came up in great numbers, night fell without the appearance
of the main body of the Egyptian army. After darkness set in great
numbers of the Rebu troops who had escaped to the hills made their way
into the town. The men of the contingents furnished by the other Rebu
cities naturally made their way direct to their homes, but before
morning the six thousand men left behind to guard the city when the
army set out had been swelled to four times their numbers.

Although this was little more than half the force which had marched
out to battle, the return of so large a number of the fugitives caused
a great abatement of the panic and misery that had prevailed. The
women whose husbands or sons had returned rejoiced over those whom
they had regarded as lost, while those whose friends had not yet
returned gained hopes from the narratives of the fresh comers that
their loved ones might also have survived, and would ere long make
their way back. The example of the queen had already done much to
restore confidence. All knew the affection that existed between the
king and her, and the women all felt that if she could lay aside her
deep sorrow, and set such an example of calmness and courage at such a
time, it behooved all others to set aside their anxieties and to do
their best for the defense of the town.

Amusis gave orders that all those who had returned from battle should
rest for the night in their homes, the troops who had remained in the
city keeping guard upon the walls. In the morning, however, all
collected at the trumpet-call, and were formed up according to the
companies and battalions to which they belonged. Of some of these
which had borne the brunt of the combat there were but a handful of
survivors, while of others the greater portion were present; weak
battalions were joined to the strong; fresh officers were appointed to
take the place of those who were missing; the arms were examined, and
all deficiencies made good from the public stores.

Ten thousand men were set aside as a reserve to be brought up to the
points most threatened, while to the rest were allotted those portions
of the wall which they were to occupy. As soon as morning broke the
women recommenced the work that had been interrupted by night, making
their way to the walls in long trains, carrying baskets of stones on
their heads. Disused houses were pulle