Although an officer on the staff of Colonel Talbot, commander of the Invincibles, originally a South Carolina regiment, he had developed so much skill in forest and field, he had such acuteness of eye and ear, that he was sent often to seek the camps of the enemy or to discover his plans.

His friends said that these forest powers were inherited, that they came from some far-away ancestor who had spent his life in the wilderness, and Harry knew that what they said was true.
Despite the peaceful aspect of the forest and the lack of human presence save his own, he rode now on an errand that was full of danger.

The Union camp must lie on the other side of that little river, not many miles farther on, and he might meet, at any moment, the pickets of the foe.

He meant to take the uttermost risk, but he had no notion of being captured.

He would suffer anything, any chance, rather than that.