148 And it came to pass that we took our course, after having traveled much in the wilderness, towards the land of Zarahemla.
149 And when the Lamanites saw that they were marching towards the land of Zarahemla, they were exceeding afraid, lest there was a plan laid to lead them on to destruction; therefore they began to retreat into the wilderness again, yea, even back by the same way which they had come.
150 And behold, it was night, and they did pitch their tents; for the chief captains of the Lamanites had supposed that the Nephites were weary, because of their march; and supposing that they had driven their whole army, therefore they took no thought concerning the one city of Manti.
151 Now it came to pass that when it was night, that I caused that my men should not sleep, but that they should march forward by another way, towards the land of Manti.
152 And because of this our march in the night time, behold, on the morrow, we were beyond the Lamanites, insomuch that we did arrive before them to the city of Manti.
153 And thus it came to pass, that by this stratagem, we did take possession of the city of Manti, without the shedding of blood.
154 And it came to pass that when the armies of the Lamanites did arrive near the city, and saw that we were prepared to meet them, they were astonished exceedingly, and struck with great fear, insomuch that they did flee into the wilderness.
155 Yea, and it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites did flee out of all this quarter of the land.
156 But behold, they have carried with them many women and children out of the land.
157 And those cities which had been taken by the Lamanites, all of them are at this period of time in our possession; and our fathers, and our women, and our children, are returning to their homes, all save it be those who have been taken prisoners and carried off by the Lamanites.
158 But behold, our armies are small, to maintain so great a number of cities, and so great possessions.
