Still, he did not care to be observed even by non-combatants, and he turned his horse into the first stretch of forest that he could reach.
Harry, being young, felt the full importance of his errand, but it was vague in its nature.

He was to follow his own judgment and discover what was going on between the Northern army and Washington, no very great distance.

When he was well hidden within the forest he stopped and considered.

He might meet Federal scouts on errands like his own, but the horse they had given him was a powerful animal, and he had good weapons in his belt.

It was Virginia soil, too, and the people, generally, were in sympathy with the South.