Helaman II, son of Helaman, is appointed as chief judge by the voice of the people to succeed Pacumeni, who has been killed by Coriantumr. In his quest for power and to set himself up as leader, Kishkumen seeks to murder the new chief judge. His plans are thwarted by a servant of Helaman, who has learned of the secret designs of Kishkumen and his followers; Kishkumen is stabbed in the heart by that servant. The chief judge then orders that “this band of robbers and secret murderers” be captured so that they can be brought to justice. Gadianton, who has become the leader of this “secret combination,” and his followers escape justice by fleeing into the wilderness.