He was sure that if seen he could escape to the forest through the speed of his horse.

But he did not want to be driven off.

He wished to follow that troop to its ultimate destination.
Another mile or two and the Union force bore away to the right, entering the forest and following a road, where the men rode in files, six abreast.

They did not make much noise, beyond the steady beating of the hoofs, but they did not seem to seek concealment.

Harry made the obvious deduction that they thought themselves too far beyond the range of the Southern scouts to be noticed.