Being within an iron ring he thought that perhaps he would be safer somewhere near the center.

He might make his way without much trouble through the vast confused crowd in Vicksburg, and then in the night go down the river's edge and to the fleet.
It was a daring idea, so very daring that it appealed to the strain of high adventure in the lad.

He was encouraged, too, by his earlier and easy success in passing among the Confederate soldiers.

But in order not to appear reckless and to satisfy his own conscience he tried once more for the way to the south.

But the soldiers entirely barred the path there, and, being on some duty that required extreme vigilance, they were likely to prove exacting.
He advanced with a clear mind toward Vicksburg, picking his way among the forests and ravines, but, after long walking over most difficult ground, he saw before him extensive earthworks thronged with Southern troops.