in which the audacity of the enemy had resulted in the loss of many cities. This state of affairs naturally caused discontent, which was increased by the subtlety of the traitors, who used all their influence to weaken the hands of the government, at the same time, doubtless, contrasting the glories of the monarchy with the misfortunes of the republic. These wiles had their effect, the king-men rose in power, took possession of the city of Zarahemla, withheld reinforcements and provisions from the national troops on the battlefield, and drove the Chief Judge, Pahoran, out of the capital. The latter retired across the Sidon to the city of Gideon.
Pachus was then recognized as king of the Nephites. Thereupon he opened communications with the Lamanites, by which he agreed to hold Zarahemla against the forces of the republic, while the Lamanites continued the warfare on the Atlantic coast and in the southwest. In this way, the contracting parties expected to conquer the patriot forces.
When Pahoran reached Gideon, he issued a proclamation to the people in the regions around about to gather to the defense of their common liberties. This appeal was so heartily responded to, that the king-men were afraid to risk the issues of battle outside of Zarahemla. Such was the situation when Pahoran wrote to Moroni, the commander-in-chief of the armies of the Commonwealth, to come to his rescue. Moroni, who was fighting on the Atlantic seaboard , promptly obeyed. Gathering up volunteers as he marched, he quickly arrived at Gideon, where he joined his forces to those of Pahoran, and unitedly they marched into the land of Zarahemla. A battle ensued in which the royalists were defeated and king Pachus was slain. As a natural consequence, Pahoran was reinstated in the judgment seat, and for a short time the Nephite Commonwealth was free from internal dissension.
