Even unbelievers recognized something supernatural about Samuel but attributed it to “a devil.” (See commentary accompanying Helaman 16:3.) Since they were already failing in their attempts to kill him, they attempted to capture him. Although there is no documentation of a standing army or police force during peacetime anywhere in the Book of Mormon, the presence of “captains” suggests a military presence—perhaps a quick call-up of the city’s men to the militia. Perhaps it was they who had left the crowd, returning with their bows and arrows. (See commentary accompanying Helaman 16:2.)