He did not believe that they could tell the color of his uniform at that range, but if he whipped his horse into a gallop, pursuit would certainly come from somewhere.
He rode slowly on, letting his figure sway negligently, and he did not look back again at the group on the hill, where the officer was watching him.

But he looked from side to side, fearing that horsemen in blue might appear galloping across the fields.

It was a supreme test of nerve and will.

More than once he felt an almost irresistible temptation to lash his horse and gallop for the wood as hard as he could.

That wood seemed wonderfully deep and dark, fit to hide any fugitive.