The colonists, whose industry is especially referred to by the inspired historian, immediately set to work to till the soil and build a city. The city, with the surrounding territory, they named the city and land of Helam. Now that they were established as a separate people, independent of both Lamanite and Nephite princes, they desired a form of government and requested Alma to be their king. This honor he declined. He rehearsed to them the history of their fathers; he pictured to them the infamies of king Noah's reign; he showed them how a wicked ruler could lead his subjects into all manner of evil, and how such things led to bondage; and, on the other hand, how much better it was to have the Lord as their king and ruler, and to be guided by his servants under his inspiration. This counsel the people wisely accepted. Alma, though not bearing the title of king, acted as their leader, as their high priest and prophet, and as the mouthpiece of Heaven whenever God's holy word was graciously given them. In this happy state the people of Helam continued for some years, the Lord greatly prospering them and crowning their labors with abundant increase. Nevertheless, the Lord saw fit to chasten this devoted people, and to try their patience and their faith, of which trial and its results we shall have more to say as we proceed with our story. [Illustration: THE LAND OF HELAM.] We must leave Alma and his people for a time and return to king Noah. CHAPTER XIII. KING NOAH'S SUBJECTS REBEL--GIDEON--THE LAMANITES INVADE LEHI-NEPHI--THE NEPHITES RETREAT--A PART SURRENDER--THE NEW TERMS OF PEACE--NOAH IS BURNED TO DEATH--LIMHI MADE KING--NOAH'S PRIESTS ESCAPE--THEY SEIZE SOME LAMANITE MAIDENS--ANOTHER WAR--THE NEPHITES VICTORIOUS--THE KING OF THE LAMANITES WOUNDED--MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS. (MOSIAH CHAP. 19 AND 20.)