When the Lamanite detachment, under Jacob’s command (v. 33), sees Lehi’s army ahead of the fleeing Teancum, they “fled in confusion” back toward Mulek. Obviously, the clock was running for them; and even though they might well have been able to beat both Lehi and Teancum, their commander calculated that they could not do so before Moroni had moved up to Mulek. Of course, they did not know that he already had retaken the city and was even then pursuing them.