He turned his horse into the meadow and left his saddle, bridle and saddle blanket in the house.

He might not find anything when he returned, but he must take the risk.
Then he set off at a brisk pace through the woods, which opened out a little after dusk, and disclosed a great pillared white house, with surrounding outbuildings.

He knew at once that this was Arlington, the home of one of the Southern generals, Lee, of whom he had heard his father speak well.
But he also saw, despite the dusk, blue uniforms and the gleam of bayonets.

And as he looked he saw, too, earthworks and the signs that many men were present.

He lay long among the bushes until the night thickened and darkened and he resolved to inspect the earthworks thoroughly.