But the envoys took their leave, saying that nothing would avail since they preferred spear-thrusts to gold, for which they had little use, and Ithobal, their king, had fixed his fancy on one woman alone.
So with a heavy and foreboding heart, the city of Zimboe prepared itself to resist attack, for as they had guessed, when he learned all, the rage of Ithobal was great.

Nor would he listen to any terms that they could offer save one which they had no power to grant--that Elissa should be delivered unharmed into his hands.

Councils of war were held, and to these, so soon as he was sufficiently recovered from his sickness, the prince Aziel was bidden, for he was known to be a skilled captain; therefore, though he had been the cause of much of their trouble, they sought his aid.

Also, should the struggle be prolonged, they hoped through him to win Israel, and perhaps Egypt, to their cause.
Aziel's counsel was that they should sally out against the army of Ithobal by night, since he expected to attack and not to be attacked, but to that advice they would not listen, for they trusted to their walls.

Indeed, in this Metem supported them, and when the prince argued with him, he answered:-- "Your tactics would be good enough, Prince, if you had at your back the lions of Judah, or the wild Arab horsemen of the desert.