He searched the sky for a wisp of smoke that might tell of a human habitation, below, but saw none.

Yet people might live beyond the strip of forest, where the land would be less sandy and more fertile, and, after a brief rest, he pushed on with the same vigor of the body and elation of the spirit, coming soon to firmer ground, of which he was glad, as he now left no trail, at least none that an ordinary white man could follow.
He trudged bravely on for hours through a wilderness that seemed to be complete so far as man was concerned, although its character steadily changed, merging into a region of forest and good soil.

When he came into a real wood, of trees large and many, it was about noon, and finding a comfortable place with his back to a tree he ate from the precious pack.
The day was still brilliant but cold and he wisely kept himself thoroughly wrapped in the greatcoat.

As he ate he saw a large black bear walk leisurely through the forest, look at him a moment or two, and then waddle on in the same grave, unalarmed manner.

The incident troubled Robert, and his high spirits came down a notch or two.
If a black bear cared so little for the presence of an armed human being then he could not be as near to New York as he had thought.