Helaman repeats from verse 37 the need to pursue a straight line, lest the pursuing army cut across the angle and catch up with them. The pursuit has the same single-minded purpose as on the previous day. Helaman’s forced march consumes another day and moves his column deeper into the wilderness, farther away from any other form of assistance. Helaman’s only hope is for the Lamanites to give up, or for Antipus to force the engagement from the rear.