Noah, now being dead, his son Limhi, was made king. It was almost an empty honor, for his people were in bondage to the Lamanites. Still he made a treaty with the king of the Lamanites, and, because he could bargain no better, he agreed for his Nephites to pay a yearly tribute of one-half of their increase.
To prevent the escape of the Nephites, guards were set all around the land. The Lamanites were anxious that the Nephites should not be freed for in their industry the Lamanites anticipated a vast income.
The Nephites were to all intents and purposes bond-servants, and the Lamanites obtained all the advantages of their labor without any of the responsibilities that generally fall upon slave owners. Out of the tribute, the guards who held the Nephites in bondage were paid. This condition continued without an outbreak o! war, or the Nephites being molested by the Lamanites for two years.