He had come to the end of his subterfuges--he could no longer delay his punishment.
Outside the moon was shining, and his horse moved about restlessly.

He put on the saddle and rode off to the south, galloping rapidly after he reached the highway.

Off there was a kindly desert where a man could take in peace such punishment as his body could bear and his soul decree; and where that soul could then pass on in decent privacy to be judged by its Maker..