Gideon, deeming this but a ruse, was in no wise deterred in his pursuit.
"I tell you they are spread out in battle array on the plains below! Let me down that I may save my people!" pleaded Noah.
"Save your people? you had better save your own neck," Gideon thought grimly. He went to the parapet and looked over. The king was right, there were the Lamanite phalanxes spread out upon the plain as far as the eye could see.
"Come down and save your people," he called, sheathing his sword. He himself went over and began to beat the alarum drum to call the men to arms. As the old king tottered down there was time for a new fear to supplant the other. None knew better than he how illy his kingdom was prepared for war. He had made his people lovers of pleasure. The standing army was small, and no match for the fierce Indians inured to hardship.
"Call the people together and tell them to bring their families and flee into the wilderness," he commanded. "It were folly to fight them here."
When all the people of the city congregated, Noah, like a good leader, led the flight.
The Lamanites were not slow to discover the tactics, and started out in swift pursuit. They soon overtook the Nephites and the massacre commenced. Noah, maddened by the sight of the blood, bade the heralds command all the men to flee, for they were retarded by the women and children.
"They will not murder the women in cold blood," reasoned the valorous king, "and some of us may be saved while Gideon engages the enemy here."
Like geese that follow their leader, on the spur of the moment many of the men turned and followed the king and his priests, who were in full flight.
After they had gone some distance into the wilderness, they began to come to their senses. One commoner voiced the sentiment of the men when he said, "If our loved ones are slain, it were better that we had perished with them."