Just after the arrival of Ammon, King Limhi proclaims to his people that "the time is at hand, or is not far distant when we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies" (Mosiah 7:18). We can assume by this statement that Limhi felt that it wasn't very long before his people would be free from the bondage of the Lamanites. What made Limhi think that 16 men could make a difference? Perhaps it was the fact that Ammon knew the way back to Zarahemla, although the text says that his group "had wandered for 40 days" (Mosiah 7:5). Perhaps it was the political acceptance and power that Ammon extended to Limhi in behalf of King Mosiah2. In view of his previous remarks about slavery to the Nephites ("it is better that we be slaves to the Nephites than to pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites" -- Mosiah 7:15), Limhi might have been thinking that ultimately more Nephites from the land of Zarahemla might come to their rescue, but that his people would have to repay the people of Mosiah2 in the land of Zarahemla with some sort of servitude or "slavery." [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary on Mosiah 9:6]