What kind of leader, or what man, would desert his wife and children and flee from an enemy? Both Noah and his priests left wives and children. Fortunately, there were some courageous men among them who used their brains instead of their brawn against impossible odds (vv. 12–13). It may appear that these courageous men were willing to sacrifice or barter their daughters, but they undoubtedly knew the nature of the Lamanites, who would have defended their daughters from physical or moral harm. The offer of bondage is now presented. They were already paying a fifth-part of all they possessed to the Lamanite king (Mosiah 11:3), but now it would be increased to one-half from year to year (Mosiah 19:15).