Now they were merely brave opponents, with whom he contended, and success demanded of either skill, daring and energy to the utmost degree.

He was resolved not to fail in any of these qualities.
He left the desolate house a mile behind, and then the river curved a little.

The woods on the farther shore came down in dense masses to the edge of the stream, and despite the lack of foliage Harry could not see far into them.

The strong, inherited instincts leaped up.

His nostrils expanded and a warning note was sounded somewhere in the back of his brain.
He turned his horse to the left and entered the forest on his own side of the river.