25 For we knew in those cities they were not sufficiently strong to meet them; therefore we were desirous, if they should pass by us, to fall upon them in their rear, and thus bring them up in the rear, at the same time they were met in the front.
26 We supposed that we could overpower them; but behold, we were disappointed in this our desire.
27 They durst not pass by us with their whole army; neither durst they with a part, lest they should not be sufficiently strong, and they should fall.
28 Neither durst they march down against the city of Zarahemla; neither durst they cross the head of Sidon, over to the city of Nephihah.
29 And thus, with their forces, they were determined to maintain those cities which they had taken.
30 And now it came to pass, in the second month of this year, there was brought unto us many provisions, from the fathers of those my two thousand sons.
31 And also there was sent two thousand men unto us, from the land of Zarahemla.
32 And thus we were prepared with ten thousand men, and provisions for them, and also for their wives, and their children.
33 And the Lamanites, thus seeing our forces increase daily, and provisions arrive for our support, they began to be fearful, and began to sally forth, if it were possible, to put an end to our receiving provisions and strength.
34 Now when we saw that the Lamanites began to grow uneasy on this wise, we were desirous to bring a stratagem into effect upon them:
35 Therefore Antipus ordered that I should march forth with my little sons, to a neighboring city, as if we were carrying provisions to a neighboring city.
