The simile curse tells us that the scalp fell to the ground. Mormon does not provide that detail. He does, however, describe its effect in convincing many of the Lamanites to yield their weapons and make the “covenant of peace.” The reason for their fear may well be centered in the scalp’s significance. Maya representations of captivity symbolize capture by showing captives being held by the hair on their crowns. Thus, the Lamanites saw, in the Nephite soldier’s action, a symbol of their captain’s captivity and, hence, of their army.
Of course, Zerahemnah had not surrendered, and his personal will to fight probably continued despite the stunning blow and resulting blood loss. The point is not what Zerahemnah intended, however, but how his men would have interpreted his scalping.