Page:Book of Mormon (1830, bookofmormonacco1830smit).pdf/466

robbers to lay siege sufficiently long to have any effect upon the Nephites, because of their much provision which they had laid up in store because of the scantiness of provisions among the robbers; for behold they had nothing save it were meat for their subsistence, which meat they did obtain in the wilderness. And it came to pass that the wild game became scarce in the wilderness, insomuch that the robbers were about to perish with hunger. And the Nephites were continually marching out by day and by night, and falling upon their armies, and cutting them off by thousands and by tens of thousands. And thus it became the desire of the people of Zemnarihah, to withdraw from their design, because of the great destruction which come upon them by night and by day.

And it came to pass that Zemnarihah did give command unto his people, that they should withdraw themselves from the siege, and march into the farthermost parts of the land, northward. And now Gidgiddoni, being aware of their design, and knowing of their weakness because of the want of food, and the great slaughter which had been made among them, therefore he did send out his armies in the night-time, and did cut off the way of their retreat, and did place his armies in the way of their retreat; and this did they do in the night-time, and got on their march beyond the robbers, so that on the morrow, when the robbers began their march, they were met by the armies of the Nephites, both in their front and in their rear. And the robbers which were on the south, were also cut off in their places of retreat. And all these things were done by command of Gidgiddoni. And there were many thousands which did yield themselves up prisoners unto the Nephites; and the remainder of them were slain; and their leader, Zemnarihah, was taken, and hanged upon a tree, yea, even upon the top thereof, until he was dead. And when they had hanged him until he was dead, they did fall the tree to the earth, and did cry with a loud voice, saying, May the Lord preserve his people in righteousness and in holiness of heart, that they may cause to be fell to the earth all who shall seek to slay them because of power and secret combinations, even as this man hath been fell to the earth. And they did rejoice and cry again with one voice, saying, May the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, protect this people in righteonsness, so long as they shall call on the name of their God for protection. And it came to pass that they did break forth, all as one, in singing