"What I have to say is for your ears alone," explained Amalickiah in a low tone.
Not to be outdone in generosity, Lehonti motioned for his men to fall back.
With the bluntness his crafty soul knew so well how to assume, Amalickiah came straight to the point.
"My policy is to unite the two divisions of the Lamanite army. If we fall on each other and shed blood my very purpose will be defeated. We need all the men for the common enemy."
"I too, am opposed to bloodshed," answered Lehonti, slowly. "It is not good for brother to fight against brother."
"I wish to put the whole Lamanite army under one head. If you bring your troops tonight and surround our camp, I will deliver it to you at daylight."
"The price? What do you want?" asked Lehonti looking the traitor straight in the eyes.
"That you make me second in command of all the forces of the Lamanites."
The Indian mistrusted how he might get along with such a lieutenant, but the proposition seemed fair enough on its face, and he agreed.
At dawn, when the soldiers began to stir, they found that they were completely surrounded by the army of Lehonti. Then they pleaded with Amalickiah that he would let them fall in with their brethren and not be destroyed. That was what he wanted. In direct disobedience to the commands of the king, he delivered his men to Lehonti. That noble but trusting general had taken a viper to his bosom, though he had to die to prove it.