Taking off his coat and belt with pistols in it, and fastening them about his neck, he swam with bold strokes to the other side of the stream.

However, had anyone been on the watch at that very point, it was not likely that he would have been seen.

It was the approach of dawn and heavy mists were rising on the Rappahannock, as they had risen at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.
Shepard gave the countersign to the pickets and was shown at once to General Pleasanton, an alert, vigorous man, who was awaiting him.
His report was satisfactory, because the cavalry general smiled and began to send quick orders to his leaders of divisions.
But the peace in Stuart's command was not broken that night.

No one had seen the figure of the spy sliding through the thickets, and Harry and his comrades in the Inn of the Greenwood Tree were very warm and snug in their blankets.

As day came he yawned, stretched, closed his eyes again, thinking that he might have another precious fifteen minutes, but, recalling his resolution, sprang to his feet and began to rub his eyes clear.
He had slept fully dressed, like all the rest, and he intended to go down to a brook in a few minutes and bathe his face.