Although he stopped at times for longer looks, he made a wide circuit about the Confederate camp, and he was satisfied that Stuart, vigilant and daring though he might be, was not expecting an enemy.
Shepard's heart for the first time beat a little faster.

He had felt as much as any general the Northern defeats and humiliations in the east, but, like officers and soldiers, he was not crushed by them.

He even felt that the tide might be about to turn.

Lee, invading the North, would find before him many of the difficulties which had faced the Northern generals attacking the South.

Shepard, a man of supreme courage, resolved that he would spare no effort in the service to which he had devoted himself.
He spent fully four hours in the thickets, and then, feeling that he had achieved his task, bore away toward the river.