Should he put everything to the test and meet the enemy before the walls of the Holy City in one final battle ? These were the questions he asked himself, and putto the council of emirs. These, with the appearance of finality, agreed it would be better for him to go out with part of the forces and wait his opportunity, while they remained with the rest and put up the best resistance they could. But Saladin knew-his people and was not deceived. Their assurance of loyalty had sounded well. Seif ed-din el-Meshtub, as their spokesman, had delivered himself in ringing tones of these words : " My lord, we are your servants and slaves. You have been gracious to us and made us great and mighty and rich. We have nothing but our necks and they are in your hands. By God! not one among us will turn back from helping you till we die." And there had been wild applause from all present, which seemed to reassure him and bring solace to his mind. But, in the solitude of his tent that night, he let the Cadi see how far he was from accepting the vows of these henchmen. Abu el-Heija, surnamed the Fat, because he could barely waddle and had to have a seat where others stood, was the first to confirm his doubts. Many of the Sultan's mamelukes, he said, had come to him to criticize the decision and to say they were against remaining in the city, but preferred a stand against the enemy outside. Then a message was received by Saladin in which he was informed it would not do for him to go away and leave the defense of the city to others,